Tara was joined by guest host Cassidy Gemmet to talk about the upcoming season, the 2018 class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and relive favorite Manu Ginobili moments.

Then Tara talks to Kelsea O’Brian of Raptor’s HQ about Kawhi Leonard who was traded to Toronto this summer along with Danny Green in exchange for DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl. Kelsea happens to be a Toronto fan who already loved Kawhi Leonard as a player. She talks about what the atmosphere is Toroto was like right after Dwayne Casey was fired, how the news really snuck up on people, and how Kyle Lowrey is expected to carry on without his dear friend DeMar (hint: they can still Facetime).

All this and more on the latest Women’s Hoops And Talks (WHAT) Podcast.

Highlights:Introducing Cassidy Gemmet, guest host 2018 NBA Hall of Fame inductions are this week we talked about Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Maurice Cheeks and Tina ThompsonTraining Camp signings--where to they fall on the continuum of off season content? Retirement announcements: David West and Manu GinobliFavorite Manu moments also including HEB commercialsCan we get a Dirk Nowitzki Retirement tour? Please?Remember when Portland broke Kobe and he had to announce his retirement after the Lakers played the Blazers?Introducing Kelsea O’Brian from SB Nation’s Raptor’s HQWomen of SB Nation seriesWhat was it like in Toronto after Dwayne Casey was fired?There were not indicators that Kawhi would be traded to Toronto, only wishful thinkingThe time between when the rumors surfaced and the trade was announced was about 5 minutesNumber one expectation this year is that the Raptors will get farther in the playoffsToronto is going to finish first in the East (sorry Boston and Philadelphia)Differences between Kawhi and DeMar Derozen: there is not playbook on how to guard Kawhi. Also, defense.What will happen to Kyle Lowry without his BFF DeMar?As a Raptors fan Kelsea is feeling a little bit guilty and very excitedDon’t forget Danny Green! A perimeter shooter like him is needed on the teamFind Kelsea at @kelsea_lately, find all her work about the Raptors

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Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Kendyl @kendylbennett16.

Women’s Hops And Talks (W.H.A.T.)

Join the Women’s Hops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball.

Join other #BlazersWHAT fans to watch a game together once a month. Next watch party is January 14 at McMenamins on Broadway when the Trail Blazers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Music used in the episode: "Happy Alley" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

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