Free Association, Sportsnet's Toronto Raptors Podcast

First it was Marc Gasol, now it’s Jeremy Lin. Donnovan is joined by podcast Bench Mob members Danielle Michaud and Jesse Rubinoff to break down what Linsanity will mean for the Raptors and how Gasol’s impact is already evident. The three also debate what the Starting 5 should look like, discuss further buyout-market options to […]

Donnovan and Tyler run down a busy trade-deadline for the Toronto Raptors and discuss what the addition of Marc Gasol will mean for the team and putting them over the top in the Eastern Conference. Tyler, who’s been traded twice on deadline day, also talks about the human element of the day and what it’s […]

Donnovan and Tyler discuss whether James Harden is the best offensive player ever and how the Raptors can control him and others who have roasted them, like Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry and, now, Luka Doncic. They also talk about the possibility of Anthony Davis to Toronto and how the team has been playing a ton […]

Tyler Ennis knows the value of rest and he’s back with Donnovan to discuss why it’s so important for Kawhi Leonard — it’s not just physical. Also, who can the Raptors trade to bolster the roster? What would a guy like Bradley Beal mean to the team? And who the real All-Star Game starters should […]

Tim Micallef joins Donnovan Bennett to discuss Kyrie Irving’s comments following Boston’s win against the Raptors, the meaning of a true leader in today’s NBA and the thirst for attention. They also wonder if the Raps have the right nucleus to win a championship, Kyle’s passive play and what to do with C.J. Miles. This […]

As we pass the midway point of the NBA season, Donnovan Bennett and Faizal Khamisa grade the Raptors starters, bench and head coach Nick Nurse. They also discuss the differences in Kawhi’s Raptors versus Kyle’s Raptors, if LeBron really is the G.O.A.T. and the toughest game of the year. Plus, Fred VanVleet stops by the […]

Two important pieces to Canada’s national men’s team, Assistant GM Rowan Barrett and point guard Tyler Ennis join Donnovan. Barrett discusses the challenges Canada had to overcome in putting together a competitive squad for World Cup qualifying and Ennis talks about his career, the differences between European basketball and the NBA and his thoughts on […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis discuss what the Philadelphia 76ers trade for Jimmy Butler means for the Toronto Raptors and the future landscape of the Eastern Conference. This episode was produced by Amil Delic. Audio Credits: CSN Philadelphia, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Southwest, Paper Tiger, Sportsnet and WDBO. The views and opinions expressed in this […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis discuss how the Raptors can’t seem to stop winning, with or without Kawhi Leonard, and how the team has been overly cautious with their superstar’s health. They discuss how the rest of the team sans Kawhi has been gelling nicely, and that even though Serge Ibaka is playing like a […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis debate who has been the Raptors’ early season MVP and where Kyle Lowry ranks among point guards in the Eastern Conference. They also discuss the contributions of both Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas, the sinking ship in Cleveland, the off-court drama in Washington and the always entertaining Golden State Warriors. […]

The Raptors are off to a blistering start, so Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis discuss how the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green have transformed the rotation, and how they have allowed Serge and JV to thrive with less pressure. The guys also break down Raptors vs. Celtics in the East, analyze the wild […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis give you their (very specific) Toronto Raptors over/unders and actually agree on who they think will be the team’s third best player this season. Plus, the guys debate which NBA team will be filled with drama, the squad that will surprise us and the team to watch this season. This […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis wonder if Kawhi Leonard is ready to take ownership of a team and what role Kyle Lowry might play if this is the case. The guys also discuss a different coaching style that’s been implemented by Nick Nurse, Kawhi’s health and video games on the road. This episode was produced […]

Donnovan and JD try to assess the Raptors’ first pre-season game and answer listener questions around landing Jimmy Butler, who will start, the Celtics and how things will change under Nick Nurse. And, yes, Kawhi Leonard can become the first MVP in Raptors history (if he stays healthy). This episode was produced by Amil Delic. […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis question the importance of Media Day (4:50) and discuss Kawhi Leonard’s message to the fans including his future plans in Toronto (9:20). They also break down the Jimmy Butler situation in Minnesota (23:30) and assemble a few potential trade packages the Raptors could offer for Butler (31:20). [Produced by Shoaib […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis get together on another offseason episode, and kick things off by reviewing Kawhi Leonard’s first public statement since the trade (9:37), and also tackle the addition of Greg Monroe to the bench mob (23:48). Later on, they make some picks regarding the biggest Eastern Conference threats to the Raptors (40:19), […]

The Raptors make a big offseason move, which convenes Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis for some immediate reactions. First, Donnovan is shocked at the reactions on social media (2:43), and the pair discuss how this impacts the family unit of the team (14:20). After, they discuss whether or not this was a coup for Masai […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis catch up on a busy start to free agency, including the Warriors once again upsetting the balance of the NBA by signing DeMarcus Cousins (5:38) and how that upstaged both LeBron James signing with the Lakers (16:49) & Paul George re-upping with the Thunder (22:05). They also tackle Fred VanVleet’s […]

Just days before the 2018 NBA Draft, Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis discuss the Raptors potentially being in on Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2:43), and JD proposes a few theoretical Toronto trade scenarios to Donnovan, including ones with the Los Angeles Clippers (19:22), Charlotte Hornets (26:02), Cleveland Cavaliers (28:45), Memphis Grizzlies (32:44), and the Dallas Mavericks […]

Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis get you caught up with the Raptors’ head coaching search (4:40), and comment on Jerry Stackhouse’s position within the franchise if he’s not to be the new coach (21:01). They also tackle Bryan Colangelo’s ‘burner’ accounts on Twitter (29:45), and briefly break down Kevin Durant’s place in the NBA (43:14).