Doug Smith
@smithraptorsbeat.bsky.social
Been chronicling the zaniness of the Raptors and NBA for nigh on three decades now. Survived everything, too
It’s a welcome lull in a busy stretch but Ye Olde Mailbag never sleeps. Questions here or to askdoug (at) thestar dot ca are welcome for the weekend file
December 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
It’s a welcome lull in a busy stretch but Ye Olde Mailbag never sleeps. Questions here or to askdoug (at) thestar dot ca are welcome for the weekend file
We're all done here; Knicks too good; Raptors offence too woeful
Toronto's off until Monday in Miami, a few days off might to 'em well but there's work to get done, too
Toronto's off until Monday in Miami, a few days off might to 'em well but there's work to get done, too
December 10, 2025 at 4:08 AM
We're all done here; Knicks too good; Raptors offence too woeful
Toronto's off until Monday in Miami, a few days off might to 'em well but there's work to get done, too
Toronto's off until Monday in Miami, a few days off might to 'em well but there's work to get done, too
Knicks 94, Raptors 79 heading to the fourth
Brunson 33, Ingram 27; Raptors had a modicum of successful with CMB over Poeltl so they can switch some stuff and not get killed
Brunson 33, Ingram 27; Raptors had a modicum of successful with CMB over Poeltl so they can switch some stuff and not get killed
December 10, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Knicks 94, Raptors 79 heading to the fourth
Brunson 33, Ingram 27; Raptors had a modicum of successful with CMB over Poeltl so they can switch some stuff and not get killed
Brunson 33, Ingram 27; Raptors had a modicum of successful with CMB over Poeltl so they can switch some stuff and not get killed
Raptors are trying to make it marginally interesting
Back with 14 with 4:11 left in the third
Back with 14 with 4:11 left in the third
December 10, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Raptors are trying to make it marginally interesting
Back with 14 with 4:11 left in the third
Back with 14 with 4:11 left in the third
RED PANDA!!!!!!!
December 10, 2025 at 2:52 AM
RED PANDA!!!!!!!
The Raptors have EIGHT POINTS IN 10 1/2 MINUTES!
EIGHT!!!!
EIGHT!!!!
December 10, 2025 at 2:48 AM
The Raptors have EIGHT POINTS IN 10 1/2 MINUTES!
EIGHT!!!!
EIGHT!!!!
Hack-A-Mitch!!!
The Raptors are CUP CRAZY!
The Raptors are CUP CRAZY!
December 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Hack-A-Mitch!!!
The Raptors are CUP CRAZY!
The Raptors are CUP CRAZY!
Raptors bench group is getting murderlized
December 10, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Raptors bench group is getting murderlized
A fun quarter, Raptors up 39-35, Brunson's got 20 and Ingram's got 17
If someone wanted to do the heavy lifting, I'm sure that's the first time this season that Ingram's played an entire first quarter without a break
And maybe the first of any 12-minute quarter this season
If someone wanted to do the heavy lifting, I'm sure that's the first time this season that Ingram's played an entire first quarter without a break
And maybe the first of any 12-minute quarter this season
December 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
A fun quarter, Raptors up 39-35, Brunson's got 20 and Ingram's got 17
If someone wanted to do the heavy lifting, I'm sure that's the first time this season that Ingram's played an entire first quarter without a break
And maybe the first of any 12-minute quarter this season
If someone wanted to do the heavy lifting, I'm sure that's the first time this season that Ingram's played an entire first quarter without a break
And maybe the first of any 12-minute quarter this season
Jalen Brunson has made 3 3s tonight; that's three than his dad made in his entire Raptors career, and I and Woz researched.
December 10, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Jalen Brunson has made 3 3s tonight; that's three than his dad made in his entire Raptors career, and I and Woz researched.
Darko wants to challenge what looked like a dubious PF on Shead but bench didn't make its time up quickly enough. 3 FTs for Brunson
December 10, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Darko wants to challenge what looked like a dubious PF on Shead but bench didn't make its time up quickly enough. 3 FTs for Brunson
Raptors up 4 at first timeout; they do seem to have a bit more pep than they have to start games of late
December 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Raptors up 4 at first timeout; they do seem to have a bit more pep than they have to start games of late
How the Raptors finagle themselves into getting Jakob Poeltl iso'd guarding a guard or wing on the perimeter is beyond me
December 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
How the Raptors finagle themselves into getting Jakob Poeltl iso'd guarding a guard or wing on the perimeter is beyond me
Magic beat Heat so they'll face Raptors or Knicks in NBA Cup semifinal Saturday in Vegas.
December 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Magic beat Heat so they'll face Raptors or Knicks in NBA Cup semifinal Saturday in Vegas.
Jamal Shead and Ochai Agbaji join Barnes, Ingram and Poeltl as Raptors starters. Brunson, Hart, Our Friend OG, Bridges and Towns for the New Yorkers
December 10, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Jamal Shead and Ochai Agbaji join Barnes, Ingram and Poeltl as Raptors starters. Brunson, Hart, Our Friend OG, Bridges and Towns for the New Yorkers
Illness fells Immanuel Quickley tonight but Jamal Shead shakes off bruised quad and he'll go. RJ Barrett (knee), Jamison Battle (ankle) are Raptors spectators as well
December 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Illness fells Immanuel Quickley tonight but Jamal Shead shakes off bruised quad and he'll go. RJ Barrett (knee), Jamison Battle (ankle) are Raptors spectators as well
Hardly a surprise, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins Northern Star Award as Canadian athlete of the year for 2025; also won in 2023.
Other finalists: Swimmer Summer McIntosh, curler Rachel Holman, rugby star Sophie de Goede and hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers.
Full disclosure: My vote was for SGA
Other finalists: Swimmer Summer McIntosh, curler Rachel Holman, rugby star Sophie de Goede and hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers.
Full disclosure: My vote was for SGA
December 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Hardly a surprise, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins Northern Star Award as Canadian athlete of the year for 2025; also won in 2023.
Other finalists: Swimmer Summer McIntosh, curler Rachel Holman, rugby star Sophie de Goede and hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers.
Full disclosure: My vote was for SGA
Other finalists: Swimmer Summer McIntosh, curler Rachel Holman, rugby star Sophie de Goede and hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers.
Full disclosure: My vote was for SGA
RJ Barrett had platelet-rich plasma injection to deal with right knee sprain; he'll be on the shelf at least another week, the Raptors just announced
December 8, 2025 at 6:09 PM
RJ Barrett had platelet-rich plasma injection to deal with right knee sprain; he'll be on the shelf at least another week, the Raptors just announced
Hang on
Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy weren’t already in the Hall of Fame?!?!?!
Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy weren’t already in the Hall of Fame?!?!?!
December 8, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Hang on
Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy weren’t already in the Hall of Fame?!?!?!
Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy weren’t already in the Hall of Fame?!?!?!
Raptors go 4 empty trips and counting and you can't one of the shots was a "good" look; now down 9, 3:05 left and the energy's out of the gym
December 7, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Raptors go 4 empty trips and counting and you can't one of the shots was a "good" look; now down 9, 3:05 left and the energy's out of the gym
Barnes has 15-9-8 if you're anticipating triple-doubles
December 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Barnes has 15-9-8 if you're anticipating triple-doubles
Celtics by 3 on Raptors with 7:07, turned out to be a fun game; and the group that included AJ Lawson and Alijah Martin with Shead, Barnes, Mamu was not one I expected to see
December 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Celtics by 3 on Raptors with 7:07, turned out to be a fun game; and the group that included AJ Lawson and Alijah Martin with Shead, Barnes, Mamu was not one I expected to see
Either give 'em credit for not caving or rip 'em for getting in a big mess in the first place.
Whatever ...
Raptors down 6 heading to the fourth quarter
Whatever ...
Raptors down 6 heading to the fourth quarter
December 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Either give 'em credit for not caving or rip 'em for getting in a big mess in the first place.
Whatever ...
Raptors down 6 heading to the fourth quarter
Whatever ...
Raptors down 6 heading to the fourth quarter
An Ochai Agbaji corner 3, and we haven't see too many of those this season, and the Raptors are within 7 with 2:22 left in the third quarter
December 7, 2025 at 10:16 PM
An Ochai Agbaji corner 3, and we haven't see too many of those this season, and the Raptors are within 7 with 2:22 left in the third quarter
Well, this one got out of control quickly. Raptors give up more points as they have in any half of any game this season and down 77-59
December 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Well, this one got out of control quickly. Raptors give up more points as they have in any half of any game this season and down 77-59