That’s A Rap #124: Brooklyn gets its Beard, now what?

Why are games still being played? Does James Harden make the Nets the East favourites? Can Chris Boucher start already? The boys tackle these questions on the latest podcast.

The NBA never sleeps.

This week alone, a superstar was traded, multiple games were postponed due to COVID-related issues, and Adam Silver made health and safety protocol revisions that made you wonder if he shared Doug Ford’s consultants.

Meanwhile, the Raptors quietly put together their first .500 week, while showing enough positives to offer hope that the slow start will soon be over. We dove into the various maladies plaguing the league before shining some light on how Toronto’s starting to find its footing. Enjoy the latest episode of That’s A Rap!

In This Episode:

2:15 — Why are there still games being played?

For the sixth day out of the last seven, there will be at least one postponed game on the NBA schedule (with postponements already planned over the next two days). How many more positive cases will it take for Adam Silver to postpone the season?

15:50 — The Beard is Brooklyn-bound

That gust of wind you felt on Wednesday was from millions of NBA fans sighing relief that the Harden saga had finally ended. All it took was four first-round picks and four pick swaps — all unprotected — to make it happen! Assuming Kyrie Irving eventually plays, how will three alphas share the ball? Will anyone play defense? How much money would you bet that Steve Nash could still beat his Big 3 in a shooting competition?

25:00 — New favourites in the East?

Does this blockbuster trade make the Nets the team to beat in the East? The conference is littered with solid defenses that could conceivably give Brooklyn fits. We’ll find out as early as Monday when Irving, Harden, and Kevin Durant face Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

37:40 — Flying on the wings of a (slim) duck

The Raptors’ 3-8 record would feel much more deflating if the team didn’t look so good over long stretches. Pascal Siakam found himself on the West Coast road trip. Stanley Johnson and Yuta Watanabe have staked claims in Nick Nurse’s rotation. The biggest surprise, however, has been the emergence of Chris Boucher.

47:25 — Upcoming (empty) home games

With 40 percent of their Western Conference road games already out of the way, the Raptors shift their focus back to the Eastern time zone. Toronto gets a second look at LaMelo Ball, a date with pre-season MVP favourite, Luka Doncic, and a pair of home games against Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. The Raptors are perfect so far with no fans inside Amalie Arena. Let’s see if it stays that way!