Listen to That’s A Rap #55: All The Kings’ Men

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t give Walton a victory again!

Well, they almost did.

After running out to a big first quarter lead, the Raptors essentially shifted to cruise control. The narrow final score doesn’t show how one-sided this victory over Sacramento was. Despite a pair of missed free throws by OG Anunoby and a turnover by Pascal Siakam in the final minute, Toronto returned to the winner’s circle after falling in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Along with a recap of the Kings-Raptors game, we discussed the return of a pair of Torontonians, the NBA’s drug epidemic/crackdown, and ponder an alternate Kawhi-related universe. Enjoy the latest episode of That’s A Rap!

On This Week’s Episode:

It was a close but commanding win for the defending, reigning, world champion Raptors. What’s been most shocking for this team? Is it Anunoby’s eerily-similar, Siakam-like improvement on both sides of the ball? How about Pascal, somehow leading the pack in hopes of being the league’s first back-to-back MIP winner? Or maybe it’s Kyle Lowry and his ascension to All-NBA status?

It’s overly dramatic, but after tonight’s rematch with the Pelicans, the Raptors would have completed 10 percent of their regular season schedule. Ironically, 10 percent is also how much of the bench Nick Nurse chooses to use every game! With Patrick McCaw sidelined for the next month, Nurse will need to get creative if he remains true to his word that Lowry’s minutes will decrease. Alternatively, there’s a former Sixth Man of the Year that’s unemployed and can fill in as the nominal third point guard.

Roy Rana went from coaching at Eastern Commerce to coaching against the Eastern Conference. His road to the NBA has been filled with success. Whether it was coaching the Saints to five provincial high school championships, leading the Ryerson Rams to the greatest upset in U Sports history (over 7-time defending champion, Carleton Ravens), or guiding Canada’s U-19 team to gold in 2017, Rana is a coaching legend. His first game against his hometown Raptors was certainly a night to remember - for him and all Canadians.

You can add John Collins to the list of anti-drug policy offenders. He was suspended 25 games after tests revealed signs of peptide-2 (a banned substance) in his blood. While he has filed an appeal, it’s the latest suspension to a suddenly growing list that includes DeAndre Ayton and Wilson Chandler.

The episode wraps up (no pun intended) with Jason’s thought-provoking question of the week. Alright, that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Please send in your suggestions on what we should name that segment of the show. Also, chime in with your thoughts on his question (you’ll have to listen to find out what that question was!).

1:30 - All the Kings’ Men

11:30 - Third PG

22:15 - Roy Rana, the Canadian Nick Nurse

28:00 - Peptide Abysmal

42:35 - When Butler Winged It

46:55 - Name This Segment (please!!)