Latest news with #TorontoRaptors'
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Danny Green happy for fellow ex-Raptor Pascal Siakam and underdog Pacers, big fan of SGA
The three-time NBA champion will be in Calgary for the start of the NBA Finals. Get the latest from Ryan Wolstat straight to your inbox Toronto Raptors' Danny Green and Pascal Siakam celebrate during Game 4 of the NBA Finals in 2019. AP Photo Danny Green is a member of the media now, so he has to remain impartial, but it's clear he has a soft spot for one NBA finalist over the other this year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Green, who won three titles in four trips to the Finals, including the one Canadian basketball fans all remember with the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19, is happy for former teammate Pascal Siakam, as well as other members of the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are considered extremely unlikely bets to upend an Oklahoma City Thunder team that won 68 games in the regular season and have since mostly swatted away all comers, other than a Denver side that gave them a mild scare before getting crushed in Game 7. But Green, who wasn't drafted until the second round and had to fight to make it back after being cut by both Cleveland and San Antonio before becoming a staple with the Spurs, knows a thing or two about doubters. 'All these guys have a chip on their shoulder and exterior motivations from people that have always doubted them and criticized them,' Green told Postmedia on a recent video call. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'So to see (the Pacers) kind of shut those people up and make it to where they are, I couldn't be happier for the group,' he said after also comparing them to his Raptors team that wasn't expected to even make it to the final round, let alone win the championship. 'Because I was one of those guys that was always doubted as well. So I know the similar criticism that they're getting.' Green, who was talking ahead of a visit to Canada for NBA House, an immersive basketball experience and fan event at the Rooftop YYC in Calgary for Game 1 and 2 of the Finals (former champion Metta World Peace also will be on hand, along with the Larry O'Brien Trophy), sounded particularly pleased for Siakam. 'It's great,' Green said of Siakam getting back to the biggest stage six years after Toronto's win (Green himself went five years between going twice for San Antonio and his return with Toronto, then also made it the next year with the Los Angeles Lakers). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A lot of people were, I wouldn't say doubting him, but they just were so quote/unquote disappointed that he was not becoming the No. 1 option they expected to be when he went to Indiana (in a trade from the Raptors), and for them all to beat the odds. 'Myles Turner has been that longest-tenured Pacer (10 seasons). He's been there since the (Paul George) years, but finally, get to the Finals and get there before some of the guys that he's played with,' Green added. 'And then, Tyrese Haliburton, voted most overrated (by fellow players in a bizarre poll), And also Pascal, and I see Pascal and OG (Anunoby) kind of battling it out against each other (in the Eastern Conference final). It was fun to watch that whole series, but to see (Siakam) actually show people like, 'Yo, he's an all-NBA player for a reason,' and Tyrese Haliburton saying that he's not overrated.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Which isn't to say Green doesn't also appreciate Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadian who won league MVP this year. Read More 'I love the fact that he still, he reminds me of Kobe (Bryant). He still does a lot in the mid-range and a lot of footwork and fundamentals,' Green said. 'A lot of people are not happy or disappointed with how many threes are being taken and that we don't have traditional back-to-the-basket games anymore, post-ups and go with big men, and have mid-range games. And it was kind of being pushed out of the game and becoming obsolete. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'So the fact that (Gilgeous-Alexander and others), they mix up their game and they make sure that they continue to not only improve, but show how important it is to be able to score on all levels, to be able to defend and to do all the other little things that matter, outside of shooting the ball from the three-point line.' Green said he hasn't been to Calgary before, but was always treated well in other cities and is looking forward to exploring and experiencing the city. 'Canada's always been great. It's welcomed me with overwhelming love,' Green said. 'Just the diversity of Canada. It's always amazing to me, I guess, how many different people, groups of people, are there, and also that they're all kind of similar and nice, you know, hospitable. 'So, love being around and love the energy. I'm hoping that Calgary's the same.' Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Celebrity Olympics Columnists
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Graduations don't win or lose games" - Vince Carter's mom hit back at critics who said his graduation was the reason the Raptors lost Game 7 to Philly in 2001
Many blamed Vince Carter for the Toronto Raptors' 87-88 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of their 2001 second-round playoff series. That's because the morning before the game, Vince flew to Chapel Hill to attend his college graduation ceremony there. Critics said that Vince's hectic schedule and probably travel fatigue caused his poor performance in the game which cost the Raptors their first ever trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, Vince's mother, Michelle disagreed with his son's detractors. Advertisement "It's a game, you make shots and you miss shots. He missed it. People who want to blame graduation on losing a game, that's a scapegoat," said Mrs. Carter. "Graduations don't win or lose games. Shooting, rebounding, turning over the ball at the wrong time -- that will lose a game for you." Carter struggled with his shot in Game 7 Playing in what was then the biggest game of his young NBA career, Carter struggled to score 20 points on 6-18 shooting, including 0-3 from 3-point distance. He missed his first three shot attempts and was 3-7 in the first quarter. Vince struggled even more in the second as he scored just three points, all on free throw attempts. "Air Canada" still could not find his shots in the second half but completed a three-point play that gave the Raptors their first lead at 65-64. But the 76ers immediately regained the upper hand and did not look back. With two seconds left in the game and the Sixers up 88-87, the Raptors had one last chance for victory, but Carter's game-winning attempt clanged off the rim as time expired. Advertisement "I admit the first two minutes I was a little winded," Carter said after the game. "I was trying too hard early. I was tiring myself out." Related: Kyle Korver said Sixers players were desperate for Allen Iverson to leave the team in 2006: "We want it to be over… just want to move on" Vince's college degree meant the world to him Naysayers claimed that Carter's hectic day took a toll on him during the game, although he left the graduation ceremony even before it was over and arrived in Philly five hours before the game. Others blamed travel fatigue, even if Chapel Hill is just an hour or so away from Philadelphia and Carter was traveling via team owner Larry Tanenbaum's private jet. Worse, there were those who belittled him for attending a graduation where he did not even physically receive his diploma yet. Advertisement "It was sad and a shame to hear and read some people say 'it's just a degree' or 'you could buy that degree' or 'what's the big deal in walking across the stage?' That just doesn't make sense. I walk through my front door and see my diploma every day, and that's something that I'm proud of. Because when basketball is over, I still got this," explained Carter. Coming from a family of educators - Vince's mom and stepdad, Harry Robinson, were both school teachers, education meant a lot to Carter, so no one can blame him for attending the culmination of his educational journey. He also had the backing of the Raptors when he took the short trip to UNC. And yes, if he made that shot, nobody would've said he shot just 7-18 from the field. As his mom said, it's about missing or making shots. Vince missed his shots, but it was never about going to his graduation. Related: When Vince Carter dominated Paul Pierce in a high school slam dunk contest
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Giants Of Africa Festival 2025 Returns To Kigali: Uniting The Continent Through Basketball, Culture, And Community
Giants of Africa Festival 2025 follows the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival which took place in ... More Kigali in 2023 in celebration of the non-profit's 20th anniversary. Masai Ujiri has accomplished what few figures in global sport can claim. The Nigerian-born executive made history as the first African general manager in North American professional sports, earned NBA Executive of the Year in 2013, and orchestrated the Toronto Raptors' first-ever championship in 2019, an achievement that solidified his place among the sport's elite decision-makers. But for Ujiri, legacy was never going to be defined solely by wins and titles. His most profound contribution may lie thousands of miles from any NBA arena, on the basketball courts of Africa, built by Giants of Africa, the foundation he co-founded in 2003. What began as a single basketball camp grounded in the belief that sport could be a catalyst for change has evolved into a transformative movement. Spanning over 20 countries, Giants of Africa has built 37 courts using local labour, reached more than 140,000 youth through leadership-focused programming, and provided infrastructure that goes far beyond sport. In the process, it has positioned basketball as both a developmental tool and an economic engine across the continent. Following the success of its inaugural continental festival in 2023, the Giants of Africa Festival returns to Kigali from July 26 to August 2, 2025, for a weeklong celebration of basketball, culture, entrepreneurship, and opportunity. Performances by Uncle Waffles, MTV VMA-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, and Rwandan artist Kevin Kade will kick off a week dedicated to sport, creativity, and emerging African leaders. With 320 young athletes, 2,000 local youth, and over 20,000 spectators expected, the festival is more than a celebration, it's a blueprint for how sport can transform communities. In a world increasingly defined by individualism and speed, sport remains one of the rare forces that compels people to pause, gather, and share in moments that transcend borders and generations. For Ujiri, this is the ultimate power of the game: not just to entertain, but to unite, to inspire, and to build. His vision isn't just about developing players, it's about developing people, economies, and a new African narrative grounded in ownership, access, and purpose. In an interview with Ujiri discussed his mission to build a borderless Africa through sport, highlighting its economic potential, the launch of Zaria Court, and the importance of empowering women and youth. He also emphasised the role of continuity in sustainable development to ensure lasting impact. The event will bring together 320 young athletes from 20 African nations, and more than 20,000 ... More spectators for a week of community, culture, basketball, education, and entertainment. At the heart of Giants of Africa is a powerful belief: Africa's potential is not limited by borders; rather, its strength lies in unity, community, and the youth. This vision drives the Giants of Africa Festival 2025, which is more than just a tournament; it's a continental gathering. When young athletes from 20 African countries arrive in Kigali this July, they will come not just as representatives of their nations but as part of a shared future rooted in curiosity, identity, and ambition. 'We wanted to create something that brings everybody together,' says Masai Ujiri. 'To celebrate youth, culture, education, entertainment, and leadership, all in one event.' The concept is simple yet transformative: bring young people together to meet, collaborate, compete, and learn from one another. This human connection will serve as the foundation for long-term unity. Ujiri describes it as 'a narrative of a borderless Africa,' a narrative being intentionally crafted. 'These kids need to see each other, feel each other, and spend time together,' he explains. 'That's how leadership is built, from proximity and understanding.' Through a week-long itinerary of camps, forums, and shared experiences, The festival will equip youth with the tools to not only dream but also to lead collaboratively and purposefully. Bringing the vision of a borderless Africa into motion. Across Africa, sport is experiencing a quiet revolution, one that focuses on systems rather than scoreboards. Masai Ujiri has long advocated for the idea that sport can drive economic growth. Increasingly, he is joined by others in recognising the potential of this perspective. The momentum around football, led in part by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, demonstrates what is possible when sporting events are treated as serious economic opportunities. 'It's very important that we view sports in that broader context,' Ujiri emphasises. 'We must see sports as a business, because fundamentally, that's what it is.' Ujiri's work with Giants of Africa exemplifies this approach. Their court-building initiative has successfully constructed 37 courts across 11 countries, with the goal of establishing one in every African nation. These courts serve not just as sports venues; they act as community anchors. Built with local labour and resources, the courts function as hubs for peace and economic mobility. "Sports bring people together. It creates community,' Ujiri explains. 'That's what we're trying to multiply across the continent.' The Giants of Africa Festival will feature a weeklong youth basketball camp and tournament that ... More brings together young men and women from 20 nations. The 2023 Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali generated over $1.5 million for Rwanda's economy while also creating more than 50 paid internships for local youth. This event was more than just a celebration; it was a model for how sports infrastructure can drive economic growth. Ujiri's passion for building community through sport stems from his own experiences on the courts in Zaria, Northern Nigeria, where he learned valuable life lessons about mentorship and camaraderie. 'If you're given the opportunity to play this game at a certain level, and you have good people around you, sport can create peace,' Ujiri reflects. Now, Ujiri is committed to giving back by creating opportunities for the next generation. His mission is straightforward: 'We need more courts,' he says. 'More youth need places to play and dream, where they are not drawn into negative influences.' Ujiri envisions these courts as public squares, spaces where communities can come together to build trust and social cohesion. However, the goal is not solely to construct physical spaces; it's also about creating ecosystems that connect sport with local economies and broader cultural engagement. One example of this is Ujiri's Zaria Court, which is set to open during the 2025 Giants of Africa Festival. Located in Kigali Sports City, Zaria Court will combine sports with retail, dining, and leisure, featuring basketball courts, a gym, an 80-room boutique hotel, and a five-a-side football pitch. This development aims to be a year-round cultural and economic hub. "Zaria Court represents the ecosystem of sports and what it can achieve for us," Ujiri explains. The impact extends beyond the realm of sport itself. Zaria Court is designed to stimulate local economies, creating jobs not only in sports but also in surrounding sectors, from retail to hospitality. Ujiri highlights the potential for modernising underutilised spaces, such as old stadiums and unused real estate, transforming them into vibrant community hubs. 'Every country has these old stadiums and unused properties,' he says. 'We need to modernise them and give youth a reason to engage.' By investing in spaces for young people to train, work, and thrive, Zaria Court becomes a powerful statement. It is not just a venue; it symbolises the power of sport to create community, connection, and hope. When young people enter these spaces, they begin to see themselves as architects of their own futures. The Women's Community Outreach Program will take place in Rwanda and across all 20 represented ... More countries Giants of Africa is dedicated to empowering women and girls, which is a fundamental principle of the organisation's mission. From building basketball courts to offering leadership programs, young women are central to everything they do. This initiative goes beyond inclusion; it aims to create a future where women are fully seen, heard, and actively involved in shaping the sports landscape in Africa. 'We believe in Giants of Africa, from our hiring practices to the participants in our camps, and the direction of our programs,' explains Ujiri. 'We are committed to empowering young girls because this will inspire them to believe in themselves, dream big, and pursue those dreams.' 'Women are in the forefront of what we do,' Ujiri continues. Across the continent, young girls often face barriers like limited access to sports, low visibility, and a lack of support. However, Giants of Africa is changing that. The organisation has created opportunities for young women in places like Somalia, Kenya, and Lagos, giving the young women in those areas an opportunity to imagine themselves as part of the game. 'They're incredibly smart, incredibly athletic,' Ujiri says. 'Some just need a platform, a little direction, and mentorship to discover their true potential and the path they want to take.' By providing not just a place to play but also a launchpad for personal and professional growth, Giants of Africa is fostering a more equitable sports ecosystem. This vision is one where young women do not wait for their turn but actively contribute to shaping Africa's future, a future where gender does not limit opportunity. In this vision, ambition, preparation, and community support take centre stage. Additionally, festival highlights include the International Youth Day Forum, presented in ... More partnership with the Imbuto Foundation, Ministry of Youth and Arts and ALX, bringing together over 2,000 Rwandan youth and festival campers to hear from esteemed leaders As part of its vision, Giants of Africa will host the International Youth Day Forum, a flagship event during the Giants of Africa Festival. This forum will bring together over 2,000 young Rwandans and athletes from 20 African countries to explore themes of leadership, education, entrepreneurship, and resilience. The forum provides young people with the opportunity to hear from influential figures who have overcome adversity and achieved success. It emphasises the importance of mentorship, focus, and perseverance. Ujiri poses the question: 'How do we teach these kids to overcome adversity? How do we teach them what true mentorship is and the meaning of focus?' He believes that hearing from individuals who have faced struggles while still achieving their dreams is precisely what these youth need. The International Youth Day Forum is in partnership with The Ministry of Youth and Arts, ALX and the Imbuto Foundation, led by Rwanda's First Lady, H.E. Mrs. Jeannette Kagame. The forum will amplify the voices of young people, celebrate their achievements, and equip them with the resources necessary for success. This partnership also includes Umuganda Day, a national community service initiative that promotes shared responsibility and collective growth. For too long, Africa's top sporting talent was acknowledged only after reaching international stages. However, Giants of Africa is changing that narrative by investing in local development and demonstrating that excellence can be recognised without needing to travel abroad. The Giants of Africa Festival is held in Africa not for convenience, but out of conviction. "We've hosted this festival in Kigali a couple of times," says Masai Ujiri. 'We want to showcase the support we receive, not just from President Paul Kagame, but also from how sports are represented through facilities.' This initiative is more than just a one-time event; it is part of a long-term strategy aimed at inspiring systemic support from governments, private investors, and institutions. 'It's about encouraging both governments and the private sector across the continent,' Ujiri explains. The festival aims to create an ecosystem that provides African youth with ongoing opportunities to train, compete, and grow, thus eliminating the need to relocate for success. "We are intentional in what we do," Ujiri emphasises. 'The ecosystem we're building is continuous.' This shift is part of a broader movement, reflected in the NBA's support for the Basketball Africa League and NBA Africa. Ujiri believes that the future of African sport lies not only in developing talent but also in nurturing it within the continent, ensuring it flourishes at home. The inaugural Festival united over 250 youth basketball players from 16 African nations, drew in ... More over 14,000 spectators, and saw an estimated $1.5M invested into Kigali's local economy. Giants of Africa began 20 years ago with a simple yet powerful vision: to use sport as a catalyst for transformation. What started as a dream has now blossomed into a dynamic legacy, marked by court builds, leadership camps, international forums, and a continent-wide festival that celebrates the boundless potential of African youth. But for Masai Ujiri, the journey is far from over. "This is a true investment in youth, community, and Africa's future," he says. 'And it's paying off, 100%.' At the heart of this investment is an unwavering belief in the talent and ambition that Africa holds. Ujiri emphasises, 'The potential is limitless with the kind of talent we have. We must continue to invest in this youth.' Whether they make it to the NBA, launch businesses, or lead in their communities, Giants of Africa seeks to harness sport as a foundation for growth, identity, and values. "The key takeaway is resilience," Ujiri notes. 'We encourage these youth to dream big, and they do.' Masai Ujiri's work with Giants of Africa is a masterclass in how sport, when paired with vision and infrastructure, becomes a catalyst for lasting impact. In communities too often overlooked, he's helped create spaces where young people can dream, connect, and thrive, not just as athletes, but as leaders and change makers. In a fast-paced world where division often dominates the headlines, sport offers a pause: a chance to unite, to celebrate, and to build something that outlives the final whistle. As Kigali prepares to host the 2025 Festival, Giants of Africa is not just staging an event, it's cultivating a legacy. And in doing so, Ujiri is reminding the world that the most powerful game being played isn't just on the court, it's in the hearts and futures of the people brought together by it.
New York Times
25-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Immanuel Quickley's 3s, Gradey Dick's defence and more: What to watch from Raptors
TORONTO — It turns out removing Jakob Poeltl from the Toronto Raptors' lineup is not the perfect recipe for losing. This weekend, the Raptors played two teams that, although aggressively average, have been much better than them this season. As Poeltl, the Raptors centre, worked his way back from a hip pointer, Toronto had to play the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns. Going into the weekend, the Raptors had gone 5-37 without Poeltl over the last two years. Advertisement Now it is 6-38, with an overtime loss to Miami and a decisive win over Phoenix. 'I think you can see mini-steps everywhere,' Chris Boucher said of the team's growth. 'But I think, altogether, it's really nice to see.' For those obsessing about lottery position, we're not doing this again (unless they beat the Celtics on Tuesday, of course). The Raptors (18-39) have the easiest remaining schedule, and with the Philadelphia 76ers (20-36) incentivized to lose to keep their top-six-protected pick, at least one team seems eminently catchable. GO DEEPER Why Sixers must shut down Joel Embiid before it's too late However, when the Raptors came back from the All-Star break, coach Darko Rajaković was very clear, saying he wasn't going to measure the rest of the season by wins and losses but on incremental growth. That would necessitate giving many minutes to lesser-used players. Scottie Barnes mentioned chasing a Play-In spot as a goal of his, and that isn't impossible. The Raptors are just four games behind the 10th-place Chicago Bulls, and none of the Bulls, Nets and 76ers are going to go all out to lock down that spot. Neither will the Raptors, but some team has to finish 10th. That's math. On the way to wherever this season ends up, there will be a lot to sort through. Given some of the bizarre lineups we might see, much of it will be meaningless. With that in mind, I thought it would be helpful to create a guide for what matters and what doesn't the rest of the way — standings, reverse or right side up, not included. Barnes is having a career-worst season from deep, but we shouldn't pretend it's an anomaly. Barnes shot 34.1 percent from 3 last year and is at 27 percent this year. Through four seasons, that has been his band. At his best, he has been a slightly below-average shooter from 3. At worst, he's been a poor one. Advertisement Barnes is young enough for this to change, but it probably isn't going to radically flip in the short term. A 20-game stretch of good shooting to end the season shouldn't stop Barnes and the Raptors from rethinking his shot diet in the offseason. He has hit 17 of his 69 pull-up 3s this year, a career peak if you discount his rookie year, when he attempted just 32 of those shots in 74 games. In a functional offence, Barnes will need to excise those attempts. For now, it's all noise. Whenever Brandon Ingram begins playing regularly for the Raptors, it should serve to further limit the primary creation duties for Immanuel Quickley. Accordingly, Quickley's play will be even more dependent on his shot-making. That is his best NBA skill. On Friday against Miami, Quickley attempted 11 3s, the first time he reached double digits in his 17 games this year. (He was on a minutes restriction upon returning from his groin injury earlier this month, making it difficult for him to get to that volume.) 'It's his teammates (finding him), but also it's (him) trusting when he gets off the ball, the ball is going to come back,' Rajaković said. 'It's great to see him take that number of shots.' Quickley's 3-point accuracy and volume will be huge as the Raptors try to inch toward half-court competence. He's shooting 40.2 percent from deep for the year. Quickley had 9 points and six assists, a plus-19 along with Barnes, in a sensational fourth quarter against the Suns. Nick Nurse was right, early in Barnes' career, when he pushed him to get to the rim as often as possible. That is where his size and passing make him the most dangerous. While he has improved in the short midrange, he is still most threatening in the paint. Advertisement He is shooting below league average in the deep paint this year. He's fallen from 73.3 percent last year at the rim to 70.2 percent this year. The Raptors' spacing is poor, and that keeps him from getting cleaner looks. The Raptors need to work to get him early post-ups in transition, but he is the player who pushes the pace in transition the most. It's hard for him to get an early opportunity if the rest of his team isn't helping him set the tone. Similarly, the Raptors should have him work as a screener more often. That is tough to do when Poeltl is on the floor, but Barnes' best role, right now, is as a screener. He will need to do more of that when Ingram is healthy. Get him catching the ball on the move as close to the paint as possible. The Raptors are 25th in defensive rating, allowing 115.6 points per 100 possessions. Considering how good they were defensively during their stretch of seven wins in eight games, that might be jarring to read. A huge part of defence is continuity. Several veterans, including the irreplaceable (on this roster) Poeltl, will likely rest often during the last third of the season. Davion Mitchell going to Miami will also hurt the Raptors at the point of attack. The Raptors might trend up defensively just because of the level of their competition down the stretch, but there won't be much to learn in such a broad statistic. The Raptors force turnovers at the 17th-highest rate in the league, making them average in the pursuit. The Raptors need turnovers to generate more transition offence and limit their half-court offensive possessions, the team's weakness. Defensive ball pressure isn't applied only to create turnovers, but for the Raptors, that outcome is crucial. With just Poeltl as a true rim protector, the Raptors can't thrive defensively with a conservative style. More and more, forcing turnovers is correlated with good overall defence, as shot-making improves throughout the league. The Thunder, Clippers, Magic, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Warriors and Rockets are all top-11 in opponent turnover percentage, and they have top-nine defences. Given how poor the Raptors' opponents are the rest of the way, they should be able to turn pressure into turnovers more often than they have been this season. Do you want to be concerned? Look at Gradey Dick's 3-point percentage. He is shooting 35.7 percent for his career, certainly not what the Raptors were expecting when they used a lottery pick on him in 2023. Advertisement If he's not a high-volume, high-percentage 3-point shooter, Dick will struggle to be a rotation-worthy player. That is because he has backslid as a defender. He is not as bad as he was early in his rookie year, but other teams are picking on him. If you're the Raptors, you have to hope his 3-point pedigree eventually shines through. If he can't continue to grow defensively, however, he will be setting his ceiling at sixth man. Barrett, averaging 21.9 points per game, will be above the 20 threshold for the third time in four seasons. However, he will get there less efficiently than last year. In 32 games as a Raptor last year, he had a 61.5 percent true shooting, which places extra value on 3-pointers and free-throw attempts. This year, it's at 55.6 percent. That drop has been almost entirely based on his shooting inside the arc. Barrett has fallen off majorly at the rim and a little bit in his favoured push-shot area, from further out in the paint. However, Barrett's inefficiency is being driven by a career-high usage percentage. His least efficient stretch of the season was in the 11 games Barnes missed with a sprained ankle early in the season (Quickley was out for all but two of those games, too). Barrett's usage pushed 30 percent and his true-shooting percentage was 51.7 percent in those games. Since then, he is at 58.3 percent true shooting, with his usage at a more manageable 27.3 percent. Some weird lineups could send those numbers down late in the season. Do not overreact. On a personal level, it's fun to watch a player with a sub-15 usage percentage simply try to make the right basketball play on both ends. Agbaji's commitment to play soundly is laudable. Agbaji could be one of the most interesting players this offseason for the Raptors. With the Ingram deal, the Raptors will face a salary crunch, and getting off of Agbaji's $6.3 million deal for next year could help them avoid heading into 2025-26 as a tax team. On the other hand, he is young, athletic and defensively versatile. He also doesn't need the ball. There is a case for the Raptors to try to offer him a contract extension as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Advertisement In the interim, Agbaji closing the season strongly would help the Raptors in either scenario. He has slumped as a shooter since a hot start to the season but is still around league average (on admittedly low volume) in 2025, and 39 percent for the whole season. That skill will determine if he's a rotation staple or a fringe player. (Photo of Immanuel Quickley: Cole Burston / Getty Images)
New York Times
08-02-2025
- Business
- New York Times
How New Balance cracked soccer: From Kawhi's NBA deal to Saka and Weah's personalised boots
'We were sort of playing Scorsese, casting for a movie.' That's how Andrew McGarty, New Balance's director of sports marketing for global football, described his company's early steps into the world of soccer endorsements. Despite being 119 years old, the American sportswear company, founded in Boston, is a relative start-up in the endorsement world. It was only in 2019 that it took a major step into the NBA, partnering with Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard shortly before they won the Championship. He's now a two-time NBA finals MVP and one of the most recognisable faces in the sport. GO DEEPER New Balance wants to eat and Kawhi Leonard is its meal ticket New Balance added another global talent to its roster in January 2023, when Japanese MLB star Shohei Ohtani joined. After being named MLB MVP twice with the Los Angeles Angels, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 10-year contract worth $700million — the largest contract in sports history at the time — and has since won the World Series. Advertisement Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the sprinter and hurdler, is a New Balance athlete. While in 2023, the Los Angeles Sparks' Cameron Brink became the brand's first female basketball athlete while she was still playing in the college game. Its first foray into football came with the Warrior brand, which supplied Liverpool's kit from 2012 to 2015, with New Balance taking over as kit manufacturer in 2015. These days, its biggest clubs are Portuguese side Porto and Ligue 1 outfit Lille Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka joined its ranks in 2020. He became Arsenal's No 7 when he was just 18, helped England to a European Championship final at 19 and now, aged 23, is a bona fide star. This is what McGarty is referring to when he talks about casting for a movie. When New Balance took those first steps into football — the soccer kind — it wanted the equivalent of a tight squad, to find those few athletes that fit the part. 'It was really important for us that fewer is better, less is more,' said McGarty. 'So we were very selectful, and our hit rate was really good.' As well as Saka, the other footballers New Balance have signed up include Real Madrid's Endrick, USMNT forward Timothy Weah, Canada's Jordyn Huitema, USWNT forward Michelle Cooper, Colombia's James Rodriguez and, the latest, Jeremie Frimpong. An invincible with Bayer Leverkusen last season, the Netherlands international Frimpong was announced as a New Balance athlete last month. 'This is what I like about them: they're very selective,' he told The Athletic. 'New Balance have big stars.' The endorsement market has for a long time been dominated by brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma. And, as a new entrant, New Balance adopted an 'inch wide, mile deep' approach, as McGarty puts it. 'Being a challenger requires that we take a very different approach,' he said. 'We're very self-aware of who we are. We're not trying to be some of our top competitors. We were going up against competitors that have been in the sport for decades. Advertisement 'So we came in with a really clear mindset of not wanting to do what everyone else is doing: we wanted to be ourselves and focus on authenticity. We look for players to reflect what's next in football.' This was their hope for Saka when they approached him in 2020, despite him still being Arsenal's No 77 at that point. He had scored in the FA Cup earlier that year, but would not score his first Premier League goal until that July. Saka had made just 33 appearances by the time the UK Covid lockdown hit in 2020, but New Balance was convinced by his character and that the soon-to-be England international would be the right fit. He now has 250 Arsenal appearances. 'We were canvassing a lot of different players that time and several of the other conversations that we had that didn't end up moving forward started out being very transactional — about the money,' said McGarty. 'I'll never forget with Bukayo, it was him, his parents sitting on either side and his brother Yomi standing behind him. They were early and we were on time, so it made us look late. 'The first thing he asked was, 'Will New Balance support me in launching a foundation someday and giving back to the people of my Yoruba tribe in Nigeria?' I knew immediately that this was the right kid for us. Whether he became the Bukayo Saka that he is today or not, there was always a really high floor because he was a good person who wanted to do the right things.' It was not a given that Saka would agree to sign up. New Balance was a relative unknown in the world of football endorsements and convincing some players was difficult. 'It was super hard, man,' said McGarty. To make their case, New Balance tailored their pitch to each athlete. 'It starts with the genuine truth that each athlete is uniquely different,' said Rob Sheldon, New Balance's director of football product. 'It's a failure of imagination not to recognise and respond to that.' Advertisement That ethos is applied all the way down to the minute details of the boots they make for the players. 'We do foot scans to understand how their feet are constructed, where there is pressure, or where they've had prior injuries to understand their foot morphology, anatomics, and in-game personas,' said Sheldon. 'Thinking about how Saka plays, how he receives and releases the ball are behaviours that we can reflect and respond to.' New Balance describes it as a 'co-authored' approach. Saka's habits on the pitch were 'central to the generation' of New Balance's Speed Control Stud — an extra stud on their new Furon v8 boot to help players stop. It was designed using Saka's in-game data, which showed how he accelerates towards a defender, stops to stand them up, then explodes past them with pace. 'We had a vision meeting with Bukayo in December,' McGarty said. 'We rented a space in west London, curated the entire thing and spent the entire day with him. It was basically a Bukayo Saka shrine. We get feedback from him and walk him through the different pillars of what's important to him and the partnership. We ask questions and listen. We were whiteboarding it, essentially.' Saka has also been part of collaborations with Stone Island and Aime Leon Dore in the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championship respectively, which New Balance sees as a way to fuse the soccer and fashion worlds on a bigger stage. The sports brand also tries to reflect the personalities of the athletes in their marketing. One of their most memorable campaigns was a follow-up to a casual remark by Leonard after he joined the Raptors in 2018, describing himself as a 'fun guy'. A few months after he was announced as a New Balance athlete, up went a billboard: 'Fun Guy.' A post shared by TSN (@tsn_official) That thinking was then applied in north London in 2021, when a 19-year-old Saka had just completed his first year as Arsenal's No 7 and helped England reach the finals of the Euros. At the time, he was affectionately known as 'Lil Chilli', a nickname given to him by then-Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who also gave him a chain bearing the nickname. New Balance commissioned a mural outside Highbury & Islington Station, near Emirates Stadium, tagged: 'Little Chilli brings heat.' 'We asked him to wear that chain on the shoot for that campaign,' McGarty said. 'It was very lighthearted and fun. We're not trying to be serious or have our athletes just hold up boots and say, 'Buy now'. That's so unoriginal. At the time, Bukayo was Little Chilli, now he's Big Chilli. We've evolved that, which he really owned. We had conversations with him in product and marketing, and he wanted us to move on from the Little Chilli thing. 'He's growing up before our eyes, and I have no doubt he can be and will be the best player in the world. I truly believe he'll win a Ballon d'Or someday.' As well as a growing stable of individual endorsements, the brand is also continuing its work with teams. Although New Balance's deal with Liverpool ended in 2020, it still works with other clubs and is on the verge of announcing the addition of more Champions League clubs. 'If you look at the clubs that we work with, like FC Porto and Lille, they're relentless clubs from smaller cities who always punch above their weight,' said McGarty. 'That's how we see ourselves as a brand.' Advertisement Of course, one common pitfall for sports brands is tinkering with the traditional, cherished aspects of a club's strip. It's something New Balance is conscious of. 'It's done in partnership with the clubs, often with fan groups as well to make sure you land that,' said Sheldon. 'It's our responsibility to explain and communicate why we've taken a certain direction. So if it is slightly off-centre to the binary interpretation of a home kit, we have to communicate the reason for it. It's about making sure that the fans understand it's not a frivolous decision.' And then there's the latest deal: Frimpong. Speaking to The Athletic just before the deal was announced, Frimpong said that part of the attraction to him, as well as the selective roster, was that New Balance agreed to help him with a community project. The right-back launched Pathways last year, aimed at helping people aged 15 to 22 find careers if they are cut from a football academy. 'When you're young and it's time for scholarships and you don't get one, I saw how teams will just leave you,' he said. 'Football's everything, and not to get in and then be left behind is really sad. It was about, in this scenario, if you don't get a scholarship it doesn't mean you're not going to be a footballer or have a different career. 'For New Balance to tell me that they want to help was really nice. They've got resources like boots and clothing that are useful for the company, especially in Africa.' Another project for soccer's endorsement start-up to work on. Having been in the sport for just a decade or so, McGarty said New Balance are 'just getting started'. GO DEEPER Inside Shohei Ohtani's New Balance deal: The strategy behind the collection (Top image: Illustration by Will Tullos/The Athletic; photos by Nigel French, Max Maiwald, Angel Martinez, all via Getty Images)
