Will Lou speaks with James Murray-Boyles, the older brother of Collin Murray-Boyles to get to know the Toronto Raptors' newest 9th overall pick. James shares some insight on the family affair that helped Collin reach the NBA, gives an account of how Collin has improved dramatically, a scouting report of his time at South Carolina, and also a behind-the-scenes account of what it was like to be at the NBA Draft. #raptors #torontoraptors #nbadraft Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hel...
Jul 04, 2025•20 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong are joined by Joe Wolfond to propose one trade the Toronto Raptors should make this summer. Then, they try to make sense of the Milwaukee Bucks' shocking move to waive Damian Lillard, and also ask which team in the East is actually poised to make a jump. Timecodes: 3:40 - Reacting to Mamu/Jak 15:59 - Chris Boucher is done 21:38 - Fake trades 57:35 - What did the Bucks do? 1:12:42 - Are the Nuggets back to contention? 1:24:36 - Weakened eastern conference 1:31:20 - Alex’s t...
Jul 02, 2025•2 hr 11 min
Will Lou goes solo to discuss the Toronto Raptors signing Georgian forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili to a 2-year, $5.5M contract to likely complete their roster for next season, and also the news of Jakob Poeltl signing a 4-year, $104M extension. #raptors #torontoraptors Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link. Original Music by DIVISION 88. Hello and Wel...
Jul 01, 2025•30 min
Will and Alex pick up the pieces from Masai Ujiri’s departure and break down a quiet start to free agency for the Raptors. They explore how front office changes could shape the weeks ahead, potential replacements for Masai, and early intel on Toronto’s incoming rookies. Later, they react to the biggest free agency moves so far—including Michael Porter Jr. landing in Brooklyn and Houston’s bold push toward contention—and debate what actually qualifies as breaking NBA news. Finally, Alex shares hi...
Jul 01, 2025•2 hr 4 min
Will Lou recaps the wild day that was the Toronto Raptors firing President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri. He discusses the opaque and uninspiring press conference by MLSE President Keith Pelley, the lack of clarity on what's next for the team, and the general lack of assurances provided by Pelley. He then tries to answer the question of why Masai was let go, who will be his replacement, and what's next for the team. Finally, he gives his thanks to Masai for what he provided in his time in...
Jun 28, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong go live on an emergency podcast basis to react to the news of MLSE parting ways with Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri. They discuss the succession plan, what went wrong with Masai and MLSE, and then give Masai his flowers for a legendary run in Toronto. #raptors #torontoraptors #nbadraft Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link. Or...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Will's note: Apologies for the lagging issues. Not sure why it happened but will try to fix it for next time. Hope this is still watchable/listenable. Will Lou watches tape of the Toronto Raptors' No. 9 pick Collin Murray-Boyles to see what his strengths and weaknesses are, and why the Raptors chose to draft CMB over several other options in the 2025 NBA Draft. Credit to YouTube/ @cashiggy3219 for the CMB videos. Please go to his account for the best draft prospect compilations. #raptors #toront...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 1 min
LIVE REACTION TO COLLIN MURRAY-BOYLES SELECTION AT NO. 9 (57:36) Will Lou and Alex Wong go live from the Hello and Welcome watch party at NBA Courtside Restaurant at 15 Queens Quay E. They react to the 2025 Draft results and discuss who the Toronto Raptors will select with the No. 9 pick. Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link. Original Music by DIVISION 88...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Will, Alex, and Jerome take you behind the scenes of their Holt Renfrew live event with Raptors GM Bobby Webster and running into Kyle Lowry (2:00). Alex pitches a fresh batch of five-dollar ideas (1:01:00) —featuring hologram dogs, reverse chess, and diet water. Later, they answer listener questions (1:39:20), share the origin story of the podcast, and put Jerome’s Sopranos knowledge to the test. Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelco...
Jun 24, 2025•3 hr 40 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong react to the Oklahoma City Thunder winning Game 7 over the Indiana Pacers for their first ever championship. They give praise to OKC and to Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, debate whether Tyrese Haliburton's should have been allowed to play before tearing his Achilles, the sobering comments from Pascal Siakam in reflecting on Toronto (1:36:00), and discuss Kevin Durant being traded to the Houston Rockets (45:44). #raptors #nbafinals #pacers #okcthunder Reserve your seat...
Jun 23, 2025•2 hr 19 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong go live after the conclusion of Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers (0:00). Then, they discuss the latest reports of the Raptors working out prospects ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft (43:29) and a detailed review of Alex's health check. #raptors #nbafinals #pacers #okcthunder Reserve your seat to our 2025 NBA Draft event at NBA Courtside here: https://tables.hostmeapp.com/restaura... Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hell...
Jun 20, 2025•2 hr 9 min
Toronto Raptors general manager Bobby Webster sits down with Alex Wong and Will Lou at Holt Renfrew Bloor in downtown Toronto. They discuss a wide range of topics from how Bobby got his start in Toronto, how the Raptors were one lottery ball away from Cooper Flagg, never before heard details on the Kawhi Leonard trade and his subsequent free agency chase, and also what it’s like to be the GM of the Raptors. Special thanks to Holt Renfrew, The Nation Network and our crew for the day 🎥 Jeremy Zhe...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Will, Alex, and Jerome break down Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Jalen Williams’ breakout performance, and what defines a truly memorable champion. They also dive into the Desmond Bane trade, the Raptors reportedly shopping multiple starters, speculation around Kevin Durant’s next destination, their most “old head” habits, and more. #raptors #nbafinals #pacers #okcthunder Reserve your seat to our 2025 NBA Draft event at NBA Courtside here: https://tables.hostmeapp.com/restaurants/36071 Reach out to t...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 59 min
Will Lou is joined by Libaan Osman of The Canadian Basketball Show to review what various mock drafts have picked for the Toronto Raptors at #9. They discuss Derik Queen, Khaman Maluach, Carter Bryant, Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey and Noa Essengue. #raptors #torontoraptors #nbadraft #nbamockdraft Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link. Original Music by DIVISIO...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Will, Alex, and Jerome recap Indiana’s Game 3 win over the Thunder, rate Reggie Miller’s courtside fit, put an end to Giannis Watch (?), debate who will end up being the next Knicks head coach, celebrate the one-year anniversary of Hello & Welcome, and preview their outfits for this weekend’s Holt Renfrew event. Timestamps: Game 3 reaction: 0:37 Is Giannis Watch over? 31:37 Who will coach the Knicks? 49:40 #raptors #torontoraptors #nbafinals #pacers #okcthunder #pascalsiakam #shaigilgeousale...
Jun 12, 2025•2 hr 4 min
Will is joined by theScore’s Joe Wolfond to break down OKC’s Game 2 win and what it means for the series. Later, Will, Alex, and Jerome dive into the Kevin Durant-to-Toronto rumors, rank where the Pacers’ playoff run stands in NBA history, chat about the NBA’s half-hearted attempt at adding a Finals decal to the court, try to figure out when we started caring about NBA ratings, and look into Victor Wembanyama’s latest side quest. #raptors #torontoraptors #nbafinals #pacers #okcthunder #pascalsia...
Jun 09, 2025•2 hr 12 min
Will and Alex recap Indiana’s Game 1 comeback win against OKC in the Finals, discuss Tom Thibodeau’s firing, get to know the Pacers better, and answer listener questions. Thank you to Saul Brown for your mega city gift box. Check them out here: https://www.itsaulgood.com/collections/gift-baskets-toronto Live show with Bobby Webster: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-conversation-with-bobby-webster-hello-and-welcome-tickets-1368656230629 #raptors #torontoraptors #nbafinals #pacers #okcthunder #pasca...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 58 min
Will, Alex, and Jerome break down Toronto’s Game 6 win over the Bucks, relive the unforgettable 26–3 run, and share personal memories from one of the most iconic nights in Raptors history. Three stars: Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam DJ Augustin award: Ersan Ilyasova #raptors #torontoraptors #nbaplayoffs #nbafinals Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 58 min
Will and Alex break down reports of mutual interest between Giannis and the Raptors, and examine Masai Ujiri’s ambition to reel in a “big fish” this summer. They serve up a generous slice of blame pie for the Knicks’ playoff exit, dissecting Tom Thibodeau’s rigid coaching, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns’ shortcomings, Timothée Chalamet’s dream life, and Michael Imperioli (??). Then, they preview the unlikely NBA Finals matchup between the Thunder and Pacers before welcoming multi-time CSA ...
Jun 02, 2025•2 hr 46 min
Will Lou speaks with Anthony Milton, author of this month's Toronto Life feature story on former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter and how he ended up placing illicit bets on his own performance. Milton shares details from court filings that show a pattern of how Porter worked with co-conspirators that ultimately resulted in his expulsion from the NBA and potential criminal sentencing down the line. Link to the full story at Toronto Life: https://torontolife.com/deep-dives/fallen-toronto-rapt...
May 30, 2025•38 min
Will and Alex break down Indiana’s Game 4 win and what’s missing from the Knicks’ starting lineup, before diving into Pascal Siakam’s Hall of Fame case, the debate over banning the foul-up-three strategy, and a fix for excessive coach’s challenge requests. They also speculate: are we heading toward the wildest offseason ever? Later, Will, Alex, and Jerome close out Asian Heritage Month with a deep dive into the origins of Chinese food variety, favorite buffets, and more. RSVP below to attend Hel...
May 28, 2025•2 hr 11 min
Will and Alex break down OKC’s nail-biting Game 4 win over Minnesota and debate whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most over-hated star in the league. They revisit the Knicks’ gutsy Game 3 comeback against Indiana and ask: is Rick Carlisle trolling New York’s bench? Later, they explore RJ Barrett’s trade value this summer and how MLSE’s ownership shakeup could have ripple effects on the Raptors. Plus, thoughts on the All-Defensive and All-NBA teams, and answers to listener questions. Reach o...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 47 min
Will and Alex are joined by Vivek Jacob for a Friday Six-Pack, diving into: Indiana’s stunning Game 1 comeback, whether John Haliburton should be allowed back in the arena, their favorite playoff games of the 2020s, how the 2019 Raptors should be honored across Toronto, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP thank-you baskets, the odds of an American winning MVP in the next three years, whether NBA parity is actually good, Tottenham’s historic Europa Cup triumph, and a few listener questions. Reach out t...
May 23, 2025•2 hr 1 min
It’s the All-Giannis Episode! Will and Alex dive deep into the idea of a Giannis-to-Toronto trade, exploring it from every angle: Masai Ujiri’s long-standing pursuit, what a realistic starting offer looks like, the Raptors’ best possible package, and how the roster would shake out post-trade. They also survey the landscape of other potential destinations—including Houston, OKC, San Antonio, and… Brooklyn? Plus, highlights and takeaways from Giannis’s recent Twitter AMA. #raptors #torontoraptors ...
May 21, 2025•2 hr 12 min
Will and Alex dish out blame pies for the Nuggets’ and Celtics’ season-ending losses, breaking down OKC’s Game 7 performance, whether the Nuggets are heading down a Giannis-Bucks path, and what Tatum’s injury means for Boston’s future. They also question the overuse of the term “emergency pod,” make their conference finals picks, and cap things off with a Leafs blame pie to close the show’s playoff hockey arc (1:44:00). #nbaplayoffs #shaigilgeousalexander #anthonyedwards #wwe #leafsforever Reach...
May 20, 2025•2 hr 38 min
Will, Alex, and Jerome break down OKC’s impressive Game 5 win, debate whether the Celtics can survive the Knicks without Jayson Tatum, and serve up blame pies for the Warriors’ and Cavs’ season-ending exits. They also weigh in on Atlanta’s reported interest in Masai Ujiri and answer listener questions. #nbaplayoffs #warriors #raptors Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Will Lou shares the results of a poll of who Toronto Raptors fans want at the 9th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He then discusses broadly the 10 names involved: Khaman Maluach, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, Carter Bryant, Collin Murray-Boyles, Noa Essengue, Kasparas Jakuciounas, Rasheer Fleming, Thomas Sorber, Egor Demin. #nba #raptors #nbadraft Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome....
May 14, 2025•2 hr 1 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong go live after the result of the 2025 NBA draft, where the Toronto Raptors slid to the ninth pick. They go through the live emotions of not winning the lottery, and settle with the strange feelings of the Dallas Mavericks winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes with 1.8 percent odds. They also discuss where Giannis Antetokounmpo could potentially end up. Then, Libaan Osman of The Canadian Basketball Show calls (41:38) in from the NBA draft combine in Chicago to share what Rapt...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Will and Alex are joined by theScore’s Joseph Casciaro for a playoff six-pack, debating which team — the Cavs or Celtics — is in more trouble, whether Golden State has a path to an upset, and the top playoff risers and fallers so far. They also pick who they’d bring to a 100 men vs. 1 gorilla battle. Later, Will and Alex dive into James Harden vs. Russell Westbrook, the most intriguing off-season teams, and more absurd animal battle scenarios. Alex also commits to a marathon walk from downtown t...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 39 min
Will and Alex debate which second-round team concerns them most, then break down the Wolves’ puzzling Game 1 performance, the impact of Steph Curry’s injury, Boston’s streaky three-point shooting, OKC’s late-game fouling strategy, and Indiana’s surprising playoff run. Later, Will introduces "The Pat Spencer All-Stars" for two-sport white NBA hoopers, and gives a review of his first Leafs playoff game (Sam Bennett is a RAT). #nba #nbaplayoffs #indianapacers #tyresehaliburton #goldenstatewarriors ...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 21 min
