Free Association, Sportsnet's Toronto Raptors Podcast

JD and Donnovan kick things off discussing options on the table around the NBA’s return as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. They play armchair commissioner, addressing how a single-site — say, Orlando/Disney World — would eliminate home-court advantage and offer some rather creative solutions. They close things out debating whether there will be an […]

The last episode of “The Last Dance” is out and Donnovan and JD are all over it. Where do Reggie Miller and Karl Malone stand in the pantheon of NBA greats? Could the Bulls could have won a seventh title in nine years had the roster been kept together? JD’s got a take on Dennis […]

JD and Donnovan kick things off discussing what they learned from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s weekend conference call and place a bet on the league’s return date as (some) teams slowly ease back into holding practices. Then they dive into Episodes 7 and 8 of The Last Dance, including Gary Payton guarding Michael Jordan, MJ’s […]

JD and Donnovan unravel Episodes 5 and 6 of “The Last Dance,” dissecting the relationship between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, media coverage of Jordan’s gambling, his stance on social justice, his Nike deal and more. This episode is recorded and sound designed by Michael Mayers and hosted Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis.  Audio Credits: NBA, 1987 […]

JD and Donnovan deconstruct Episodes 3 and 4 of The Last Dance, breaking down the narrative focussing on Dennis Rodman and Phil Jackson. JD also rattles off some rapid-fire questions and takeaways, spurring a spirited discussion comparing player animosity today to that of the ’90s. Plus, how the doc is inspiring current players to get […]

Warning: This episode includes some kinda, sorta spoilers. If you’re in Canada, you probably haven’t seen any of The Last Dance yet, but basketball fans in the U.S. have, and so have Donnovan and Faizal Khamisa. They’ve got you covered with a discussion of the first two episodes. They also spend some time on the […]

Donnovan steers the ship solo, kicking things off by breaking down the Chinese Basketball Association’s attempts to get back on the court. He details its timeline of events, and what lessons the NBA can take while it looks to get its own season back on track. He then sits down with Raptors alumni Jerome “Junk […]

Listen to Sports On Pause at https://sprtsnt.ca/3e7nTAZ or search and subscribe in your podcatcher. COVID-19 is impacting the world unlike anything we’ve seen in 100 years, and sports has not escaped its effects. The newest podcast from Sportsnet features hosts Richard Deitsch and Donnovan Bennett in conversation with athletes and executives, health professionals and journalists […]

JD and Donnovan are joined by Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck to discuss Vince Carter’s legacy in Toronto and the NBA as a whole, and how Beck’s life has been impacted on both the personal and professional levels during the pandemic. This episode is recorded and sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted JD Bunkis and […]

Good news loyal Associates… after three weeks, JD and Donnovan are reunited. They explore how the traditional sports-entertainment landscape may experience a permanent shift, debate Donnovan’s Top-5 all-time NBA players and share their thoughts on re-watching the 2019 Raptors playoffs run. They also catch up with speaker, author, illustrator and WNBA and Canada Basketball player […]

Donnovan is joined by Faizal Khamisa and Danielle Michaud. They discuss the world’s current reality, what they’ve been doing while physically distancing and their favourite basketball movies. This episode was recorded by Amil Delic, sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted and produced by Donnovan Bennett. Audio Credits: MTV Films, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Brothers. Looking […]

Michael Grange joins Donnovan Bennett to discuss possibilities for the NBA’s return, what a world without sports means for society and what this pause means for the Raptors.  Plus, Ryan Ruocco of the YES Network, ESPN, DAZN and the R2C2 podcast chats with Donnovan about calling the last NBA game before the NBA shut down, […]

JD and Donnovan assess the impact of losing Norman Powell to injury for the third time this season. The boys then discuss Nick Nurse’s affection for Patrick McCaw, wondering if he is the right guy to have soaked up Powell’s minutes. Finally, they analyze the pros and cons of Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin’s idea […]

JD and Donnovan discuss the Raptors’ fortunes since the All-Star break, breaking down Pascal Siakam’s recent struggles and OG Anunoby regaining his early season form as the team’s X-Factor. They then debate whether Toronto should look to the buyout market for more three-point shooting ahead of a hoped-for playoffs showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks. All […]

JD and Donnovan deconstruct Tuesday’s loss to Milwaukee and the brewing rivalry between the Eastern Conference contenders. They also break down Toronto’s key contributors this season and what their performances to date could mean for the team’s playoff fortunes. That and more, including a special feature by Maria St. Aubin on Kyle Lowry, whose jersey […]

JD and guest co-host Vivek Jacob discus the reformatted “Elam Ending” to the NBA All-Star Game. Did it breathe new life into the contest? And what else did they like (or not) about the weekend? They also forecast the second half of the Raptors’ season — reminding everyone that the schedule is anything but easy. This episode […]

JD and Donnovan kick things off discussing the Raptors’ organizational makeup and culture, the long road going from a have-not to a have and how Kyle Lowry has been the team’s “perfect leader.” Then they get granular, talking about the win streak, how Terence Davis impacted the trade deadline, the buyout market and more. This […]

JD and Donnovan discuss the news out of New York and the Knicks’ apparent pursuit of Masai Ujiri, why the current iteration of the team is the best it can be and what to expect ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. That and much more. (This episode was recorded Tuesday, prior to the release of the New […]

A day after the basketball world was shaken to its core, JD and Donnovan discuss what Kobe meant to them, the chapters of his career, the generation he inspired, his impact off the court and more. This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis. Audio […]

Is this the norm for Norm? Donnovan and JD dial down on the new level Powell has reached and highlight other top Raptors storylines from the first half of the season. They also run down their All-Star picks and discuss the importance of finishing No. 2 in the East. This episode is produced and sound […]