Will Lou and Alex Wong recap the Toronto Raptors' 129-89 loss to the Phoenix Suns. They go live during the fourth quarter because this game was a complete blowout. Will and Alex also each deliver an NBA six-pack of topics from around the league. They also riff on who their favorite The Wire characters are, and debate NCAA vs NBA basketball. #raptors #nba #suns Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Visit hel...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong go live after the Toronto Raptors' 105-102 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. They discuss Jakob Poeltl's expanded offensive arsenal, Scottie Barnes being aggressive, and Jamal Shead's two-way contributions. Three stars: Jakob Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, Jamal Shead Gerald Henderson award: Toumani Camara #raptors #nba #trailblazers 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...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong break down Toronto Raptors 126-118 win over the Utah Jazz. They discuss Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley's increased chemistry, Jamal and Garrett Temple's defense, and wrap up with an exposition of Alex Wong's Letterboxd page (@stevenlebron). #raptors #nba #jazz 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...
Mar 15, 2025•1 hr 21 min
On the latest NBA six-pack, Will and Alex discuss whether flattening lottery odds could help eliminate tanking, the all-time MVP race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, and how Jokić’s historic season compares to past MVPs. They also break down the most game-changing players of the past two decades, why expectations for Scottie Barnes should be adjusted, and the three key areas where he has improved this season. Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or ...
Mar 13, 2025•51 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong go live after the ultimate tank game between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers. They discuss the sheer shamelessness of the tank, give credit to Jared Rhoden, Orlando Robinson, and Colin Castleton for setting new career-highs, and then get straight to bantering for the last 40 minutes. Three stars: Orlando Robinson, Jared Rhoden, Garrett Temple Gerald Henderson award: Jeff Dowtin Jr. #raptors #nba #sixers Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowe...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Alex sits down with former Raptors owner John Bitove Jr. to discuss the franchise’s early days, from securing an NBA team for Toronto to shaping its identity. They dive into the original branding process—including how close the team came to a lime-green Raptor logo—the challenges of hosting games at the SkyDome, and his biggest argument with David Stern. Bitove also shares stories about launching the Dance Pak, the opening-night “thunderstick” fiasco, and the lasting influence of the first-year ...
Mar 11, 2025•49 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong break down the Toronto Raptors win 119-104 against the Washington Wizards. They discuss AJ Lawson's 32-point effort, Jamal Shead's improbable dunk, and share their favorite movies. Three stars: AJ Lawson, Jamal Shead, Orlando Robinson Gerald Henderson award: Kyshawn George #raptors #nba #wizards 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....
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong react to the Toronto Raptors' 118-117 loss to the Washington Wizards. They discuss Jamal Shead's game-winning moment that was off by 0.1 seconds, the return of the tank, and debate who should win the MVP between Shai Gilegous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. Three stars: Jakob Poeltl, Jamal Shead, Jamison Battle Gerald Henderson award: Richaun Holmes #raptors #nba #wizards Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong react to the tank-off between the Toronto Raptors' 118-109 win over the Utah Jazz. They discuss Immanuel Quickley's season-high effort, the confusing state of the Raptors' tank, and share some unbelievable stats from Wilt Chamberlain. Three stars: Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, Ja'Kobe Walter Gerald Henderson award: Walker Kessler #raptors #nba #magic Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out ou...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Will shares his latest six-pack of NBA ideas with Alex, including: the Luka Doncic trade saving the NBA season, if there’s a “right” way to tank, if the East is wide open for the Raptors next season, why Toronto shouldn’t trade RJ Barrett this summer, if NBA teams should market teams over players, and more. #raptors #torontoraptors #lukadoncic #lakers 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...
Mar 06, 2025•35 min
DISCLAIMER: StreamYard had treated our audio with echo cancellation for the first 30 min so it gets overprocessed but bear with it and it'll clear up after. Will, Alex, and Jerome recap their recent work trips, including trying wings at Magic City, debating the best Philly cheesesteak, and navigating the clout-chasing scene at All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. Later, they tackle listener questions on John Cena’s heel turn, wrestling’s resurgence, their ideal Toronto day, and more. Plus, Alex at...
Mar 05, 2025•3 hr 10 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong break down the Toronto Raptors' 114-113 win over the Orlando Magic in the hilariously exciting rematch. They break down Ja'Kobe Walter's first career game winner, discuss the new and absurd ways the Raptors tried to tank by pulling every starter in a close game, before coming up with brand new nicknames for the players. Three stars: Ja'Kobe Walter, AJ Lawson, Jakob Poeltl Gerald Henderson award: Darko Rajakovic's tanking tactics #raptors #nba #magic Reach out to the show b...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Will Lou is joined by producer Jerome Cheng after the Toronto Raptors win 104-102 over the Orlando Magic. They discuss the importance of Immauel Quickley, why the Raptors struggle in crunch time, and how the tanking moves are becoming too obvious. #raptors #nba #magic 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 Welcome i...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Will Lou goes live after the conclusion of the Toronto Raptors' 125-115 OT loss to the Chicago Bulls. He discusses the Raptors' crunch-time issues, why Brandon Ingram would really help, and has a little fun at the end by showing highlights of the Raptors media game to lighten the mood. #raptors #nba #bulls 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 Mu...
Mar 01, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Will sits down with legendary Raptors announcer Chuck Swirsky to discuss being honored for the team’s 30th-anniversary season, his early days with the franchise, and his first impressions of Jack Armstrong. Chuck also shares why calling Vince Carter’s first game in Toronto as a New Jersey Net was the toughest broadcast of his career, along with other Raptors memories from the past three decades. Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome...
Feb 27, 2025•56 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong go live at the conclusion of the Toronto Raptors' 111-91 loss against the Indiana Pacers. They discuss the Raptors' rookie struggles against the Pacers, then discuss the Lakers-Mavs game, and finally, they unveil the surprising name behind PJ Tucker. Three stars: Immanuel Quickley, Jonathan Mogbo, Orlando Robinson Gerald Henderson award: RayJ Dennis (???) #raptors #nba #pacers Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowel...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong break down the Toronto Raptors' 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics. They discuss Scottie Barnes' two-way intensity in leading the team, but the Raptors don't have answers for Boston's 3-point shooting. They also share tidbits from the Raptors' annual media run. Here is Will's feature on Chris Boucher's longevity with the Raptors: https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2025/02/24/after-topping-carter-boucher-reflects-on-his-raptors-journey/ Three stars: Scottie Barnes, Jamal Shead...
Feb 26, 2025•55 min
Will Lou goes solo after the conclusion of Toronto Raptors' 127-109 win over the Phoenix Suns. He breaks down the Raptors' sudden avalanche of threes in crunch time from Chris Boucher, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett. Then, he credits Scottie Barnes for his defensive work against Kevin Durant, and discusses the maturation of Barnes as a leader this season. Three stars: Chris Boucher, Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes (sorry, RJ) Gerald Henderson award: Bradley Beal #raptors #nba #phoenix Reach...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Host Will Lou goes live to discuss the Toronto Raptors' 120-111 OT loss to the Miami Heat. He breaks down RJ Barrett's clutch scoring, and why this was a perfect tank loss that will set the tone for the rest of the season. Then, Alex Wong and Jerome Cheng join the show to discuss the NHL's 4 Nation's Face-Off format, and banter about their favorite hockey moments. #nba #raptors #nhl Three stars: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Orlando Robinson Gerald Henderson award: Davion Mitchell Reach out to ...
Feb 22, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Will and Alex go live from San Francisco to break down what the NBA needs to change after a thoroughly underwhelming 2025 All-Star Weekend. They explain that the entire All-Star Weekend process is not focused on basketball, and that there are simply too many distractions to make the actual game and events meaningful. They also offer changes that they want to see in future All-Star Weekends, and then take you behind the scenes of what it's like to be at an invite-only NBA party. Reach out to the ...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Will and Alex break down All-Star Saturday Night from Chase Center, highlighting Mac McClung’s jaw-dropping dunk contest performance and why NBA stars continue to avoid challenging him. They also discuss Steph Curry’s absence from the three-point shootout, Gelo’s live performance, Chris Paul’s questionable tactics in the Skills Challenge, and Will’s first trip back to Oracle Arena since the 2019 championship run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 16, 2025•23 min
Will and Alex are live from Chase Center in San Francisco, breaking down Gradey Dick’s standout Rising Stars performance, rooting for Team G-League, Red Panda’s legendary act, hanging out with Masai, chatting with Zach Edey about Yao Ming and dim sum, and behind-the-scenes stories from All-Star Weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 15, 2025•15 min
25 years ago, Vince Carter delivered the greatest performance in NBA dunk contest history. But one question remains: why did he wear AND1 sneakers that night? Alex and Jerome search for answers, speaking with former AND1 marketing director Jeff Roth, sneaker experts Russ Bengtson and Nick DePaula, Josh Roter of In Vintage We Trust, and GQ’s Yang-Yi Goh. They reveal the behind-the-scene story of the 2000 dunk contest, Carter’s sneaker legacy, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
Feb 14, 2025•52 min
THE FAMED NORMAN POWELL INTERVIEW IS FINALLY HERE. Will Lou catches up with the beloved former Toronto Raptors guard to get the story behind some of the most iconic plays of his time with the Raptors. From unforgettably clutch dunks to hilarious team chemistry moments, Norman Powell fondly looks back at his time in Toronto, a place where he thought he would spend his entire career. #raptors #nba #torontoraptors #raptors #normanpowell #laclippers #kawhileonard #fredvanvleet #pascalsiakam Hosted o...
Feb 13, 2025•8 min
An exhausted Will Lou recaps the Toronto Raptors' 131-108 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He breaks down RJ Barrett's encouraging return to the lineup, the continued emergence of the 2024 Raptors rookie class, and then breaks down Tristan Thompson being needlessly extra, again. Then, he shares takeaways from Bobby Webster and Brandon Ingram's introductory press conference. Three stars: RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jamison Battle Gerald Henderson award: Tristan Thompson Reach out to the show by l...
Feb 13, 2025•33 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong provide live coverage of the Toronto Raptors' 106-103 win over the lifeless Philadelphia 76ers, then discuss the 3-year, $120M extension for Brandon Ingram. Will breaks down the dominant showing by Scottie Barnes, his post-game response to Matt Bonner's criticism, and the continued re-emergence of Immanuel Quickley. Then, Alex joins the show to break down Brandon Ingram signing a 3-year, $120-million extension, and wonders if the Sixers have two of the worst contracts in t...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Will Lou reacts to the Toronto Raptors' 94-87 loss to the Houston Rockets. He breaks down the level of physicality in this game, Scottie Barnes' continued struggles on offense, and Immanuel Quickley finding his shot. Three stars: Jamal Shead, Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji Gerald Henderson award: Jeff Green #raptors #torontoraptors #jimmybutler #goldenstatewarriors Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelcome.show Check out our merch! Vis...
Feb 09, 2025•41 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong react to the Toronto Raptors' 121-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, then discuss what Raptors GM Bobby Webster had to say about the Brandon Ingram trade. We also workshop nickname ideas for Ingram, and Teddy Long makes a surprise entrance. Three stars: Gradey Dick, Ja'Kobe Walter, Chris Boucher Gerald Henderson award: Alex Caruso #raptors #torontoraptors #jimmybutler #goldenstatewarriors Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the gu...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Will Lou and Alex Wong react live to the last hour of the NBA trade deadline from NBA Courtside Restaurant. They discuss the Toronto Raptors trading Davion Mitchell to Miami Heat, Chris Boucher surviving another trade deadline, and grade minor trades. #raptors #torontoraptors #nba #tradedeadline 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 DIVI...
Feb 06, 2025•56 min
Will Lou goes live to react to the news of Brandon Ingram getting traded to the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a future 2nd and the 2026 IND 1st round pick. Will discusses the merits of Brandon Ingram, what he might look to re-sign for this summer, and the front office's clear intention to be competitive again in 2025-2026. #raptors #torontoraptors #brandoningram #nba #tradedeadline Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys info@hellowelc...
Feb 06, 2025•24 min
