Leafs’ Early Returns with Michael Traikos + Raptors Reset with Alvin Williams

0:00I was talking Michael Traco's managing editor to hockey news. Morning, Michael. Thanks for doing this. How's it going? All right. Yeah, well, game. Right. Yeah, not so. Yeah, and we're still learning about this Leafs team. I, I can keep saying Michael in the previous years before we had the sample of last year where the Leafs didn't make the playoffs. We'd, we'd take stuff out of regular season games. We say, ultimately, it doesn't matter. We know what this team is. They're a playoff team and they'll be judged in the postseason. We don't know if this is a playoff team. Like, where are you on what we've learned through five games? Are you more bullish? Last bullish? Where are you on the Leafs? Yeah, I'm more bullish that this is a playoff team. And I think what we're seeing right now is, you know, we're seeing it all over the league. There's that is a lot of scrambling hockey. I think the lack of a preseason is really showing it's, you know, wearing its ugly head so far in these first couple

1:01weeks. You know, that's really not saying lead against Vegas. You know, you should be able to close that one out. You know, get an extra goal, you know, clamp down defensively. And, you know, the penalty trouble got the Leafs in the, you know, a whole lot of mess. But that that's one, I think a month or now, you expect them to close out, especially if you're getting that kind of performance from Sergey Fibrosky. But, you know, a couple concerning things, like the defensive game, it's just not there right now. I don't love how Morgan Riley and Jared Radish look together. I'm not so sure about the lines. I'm sure they're going to work themselves out as, you know, Gavin McKenna works his way into kind of feeling more comfortable. But, you know, so far so good. You're seeing a lot of, you know, signs out there that this lease team should definitely be a playoff team. Well, I'll tell you what Mike, I mean, as far as staying up late to watch games, it's certainly at least more fun to watch the Jim Miller Leafs than it was to watch the Craig Buribay leaves even in in a loss. At least goals are getting scored. You know, as we get deeper into a new season that I actually do think one of the more

2:04interesting aspects of the team as presently constructed five games in is seeing Austin Matthews in this new ish role. And in the sense that he is not only the captain, and obviously he was last year. But now maybe fulfilling the role for Gavin McKenna that any reason, how and that's Tavaris wants fulfilled for him, D. Land or even Mitch Marner when Tavaris initially came over to the leaves. I mean, do you see that at all when it comes to Matthews' leadership role on the team these days? You know, what I'm seeing out of Matthews show is that, you know, that offensive player that, you know, scored 69 goals a few years ago, you know, looks very much back. And, you know, Matthews is skating well, you know, I'll talk about the off-site stuff in a bit, but, you know, just from an I test, you know, this is a different Austin Matthews. And I think Jim Heller system is exactly why we're seeing this version of it. I think, you know, we can be hard on the fact that Carl Marchenko hasn't been scoring as much as he probably should be given the chances. But when you look at

3:05how he and Matthews have been kind of dominating when they're on the ice, you know, it gives you a lot of hope that, you know, Matthews is going to score a ton of goals this year. And Marchenko is probably going to end up with a lot more than he had in Columbus, you know, off the ice, you know, the story about, you know, Matthews opening up his home and having a mechanical over for us leap over on Sunday night. You know, that's the kind of it's cute. It's kind of funny. It's also kind of reflective of just what kind of week that was for Gavin MacKennan. Like it was a week from hell and a lot of respect. Like people were tracking, you know, whether he's showing up or a morning skates. You know, the fact that, you know, people are talking about how much or how little he weighs and how he's the lightest player in the NHL. So it was a lot thrown out of young guy and, you know, he's staying at John Tavyrus's house, but it was almost like, all right, you're going to stay with your uncle for a week and here and, you know, you guys are going to like crack a couple pops, watch some football and, you know, I'll see you when you when I see you. And that's kind of how it's out. And, you know, it's nice that you've

4:05got the father figure in John Tavyrus and you've got the kind of fun on going off the Matthews. I think they play a well off each other. How dare you? He is not the lightest player in the NHL. Apparently Lane Hudson slightly lighter than him. Okay. We should have seen them. Yeah, go at it. Yeah, maybe a fight in game one of the season when they played against each other. But yeah, I know. He's quite light and he looks that way. But yeah, he's found his groove. He's riding a two game point streak, by the way, also. And now deployed on a different line. He and Eastern Cowan swap lines yesterday. Where do you think like everybody keeps in? I don't really want to bother asking where does Gab McKenna ultimately land? Because everybody I think is in agreement that it's with Matthews and Marchenko. But Jimmy Hiller like not even for a second really. Has he entertained that idea in game? And there's been so many different line combinations. What do you make of the deployment, though, on on a Nick Paul Colton Sizzin's line for Gab McKenna? I actually like it. And I didn't think I was

5:08going to like it. But when you talk about Gab McKenna, I think the one thing that's standing out right now is the defensive side of the game is probably going to be his weak spot early on. So you put him with Nick Paul and Colton Sizzin, too. You're not going to have to worry about those guys playing a 200 foot game. I think it's a perfect scenario for him where he can kind of be insulated in. If you see how Hiller is deploying them, like every now and then you'll see Gab McKenna with Tobaris and Neelander. And I think that's a nice kind of option that he has where you can kind of flip-swap Eastern Cowell and Gab McKenna as you need them to. I think eventually we're going to see him take a line or a ship here and there in place of Jack Ross of it on the, what we'll probably get dubbed the 3M line. But you know, it's nice that they're working them in slowly. I wish that they had to put him on the 4M or on the 3M reel over time. Yeah, they're refused to wear it. They've had two 4M overtime periods. We haven't seen him for a second. In his first game where he scores his first goal, they had an opportunity to have him

6:11cab up with an overtime victory on a goal. He scored himself and they didn't even put him on the ice. No, I don't get it because that's where the ice is open, too. It's not like you're going to get checked when it's 3M3. So if there's a scenario where he's personally made for it's a power play and it's, you know, when we're talking to 3M3. So what we'll see it's still early on. I imagine we're going to get into another overtime here and there throughout the first month of the season. You're what have you made of the early returns from one Carole Marchenko so far? Like I said, I think, you know, the offense just isn't there quite yet at the same time. You know, this guy's a huge upgrade over what they were getting from Matthew Nies. Like, if Matthew Nies is on the Matthews line right now, I don't think we're seeing quite a dangerous version of Austin Matthews. I think the fact that Marchenko can lug the puck up the ice can find Matthews with passes is a huge benefit. I think it's something that Matthews missed last year and for everything that Austin Matthew Nies did last year, you know, or two years ago I should say

7:18when he had Mitch Martiner on the line, you know, he wasn't a playmaker. He was a guy that was just kind of third man on the line. Maybe get some puck set of corners could play more of a physical style, but for what Austin Matthews needs, he needs someone that's going to be closer to a Mitch Martiner and I think Marchenko fills that role right now. So Sergei Baroski is still looking for his first victory as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but man, he was a big part of the reason he even were able to pick up a point yesterday. He was spectacular at times as the golden nights were coming to Adam in waves in that second period. So now that the same percentage is over 900. It's 906 for Baroski through three games. You know, he's an aged fella. He's 38 years old, coming off his worst season in the national hockey. Like I think it'd be no one would blame you. If you had some questions about what he would look like this season in his age 38 season with a brand new team, and I gotta say if you're talking about being bullish or optimistic, like I've

8:20been cautiously optimistic the first three games of Sergei Baroski, Mike. I'm with you. I'm with you completely and that one could have gone away easily from Toronto and they could have blown, you know, even getting one point Ben. You know, that that glove safety made where it seemed like he was completely out of it and just fixed the glove up like that. That's that's a point saving save right there. And then there's the one and four on four on Mitch Marr or sorry three on three on Mitch Marr again, just a great save. And I think, you know, the stuff that we're going to find out as the season goes on is just how integral he is to the locker room as well. Like we're talking about a guy who's not only at two times as a winner, but at two times Stanley Cup champ. You know, I remember talking to Barkov right before the season started over in Vegas for that player media tour. And you know, he was just talking about how this guy is a complete leader, you know, everyone respects him. And I think that's something that the leaves kind of needs. Like they've got a lot of skill on the team, but what they don't have is guys he's been there and done it and proven it year after year.

9:21And I think Barkov's one of those guys and as a goal tender, I think he can lend some, you know, wait in the rest of the dressing room and that respect. So Mike, I wanted to ask you about John Tavaris and how do you best deploy him at this point of his career? Because I'm not sure we're talking about overtime. I'm not sure I want to see him on the ice for three on three. I know it's a small part of an overall game to be sure. I could do with maybe a little bit less of him being the entry guy on on P.B. Wands, maybe a different role there for him as well. I by no means saying get rid of him, but among the early season storylines through five games, I feel like I've paid a lot of attention to the the former captain here. I wonder, I think, you know, obviously he's not going to get moved from that second line center spot, but I wonder show if we eventually see and drop him the first powerfully in and onto the second and Gavin McKenna takes Tavaris' spot. Not exactly that exact spot, but it'll take us place on the first unit and, you know, the beliefs have a ton of, you know, assets to deploy on the power play, but I just wonder if, you know,

10:24if you're better, if you're not better off with the McKenna versus the Tavaris, it's tough because, you know, you look at Tavaris' season last year and he played in all 82 games, but that was just the workhorse still putting up big numbers for a guy at his age and for, you know, the team that he beliefs had last year, but I think there's going to be a eventual time where we see, you know, what's happening in Washington without the vegetable word. You got to scale this guy back, you know, he is getting older and his, you know, his feet aren't quite as fast as they were even when he entered the league and he was always a slow skater. So, you know, I think we're going to see that, you know, I think it's all dependent on Eastern Cowan and Gavin McKenna and as they keep going, they're going to have to push Tavaris down the depth chart. Yeah, yeah, he's never been a burner, but it does feel like the end, it really showed in the first what, 10 minutes of the hockey game yesterday. Leaves just, they have more team speed, right? And so much of it is Marchenko, but McKenna and Cowan, who's off to a great start scored again, yesterday on a great breakaway goal on the, on the great pass from Chris Tanave after blocking it

11:26with his solar plexus. But yeah, we're, we're, we're, like Jim Hiller, we're on high alert for this, right? First, I think his first media availability in training camp Jim Hiller is talking about who was the standout? It's like Eastern Cowan, Eastern Cowan, Eastern Cowan, then he gets bumped up to the second line. Could we, could we be looking at the, the breakout season for Eastern Cowan? I think so, and I think him winning a called a cup championship last year, you know, did wonders for him. Yeah, I've said it before, like it doesn't matter if you win, you know, in beer league, house league or the HL, like winning is winning and it does, you know, a ton of good for players development and, you know, Eastern Cowan going down to the minors at the end of the leaf season, which was, you know, a rough season for him. You know, that was not a ideal rookie season for Eastern Cowan, but the cap it off with a championship where he played in a tag role. Like, well, we're seeing the benefits of that right now. This guy is playing with a ton of confidence, you know, I got him on bone mentality, you know, that goal he scored on the break away, that there was no hesitation. There was no like, oh, I don't know what moves to pull. Like, he was

12:30very confident pulling that move and I think that's because, you know, he feels like he belongs here. And I think that the season goes on. Yeah, I think we could be looking at a big breakout here. Now, what is a big breakout year for me, Eastern Cowan? I don't know if we're going to see like 30 goalsies in that of him, but I think we're going to be talking about like, oh, boy, you know, whether it's offense or just how much he hunted the puck down, you know, this guy, you notice him every single shift. And I think that's going to be the breakout year when we're talking about Cowan. So we're five games in here, Mike. And we'll see the Leafs continue this road trip in Colorado, taking on the avalanche. So with the mammoth in Utah, then they'll come back home to take on the Sabers here in Toronto. So some decent teams coming up here. I know that actually the mammoth, I've been talking them up and then they get dumped by the brood's eyes. So let's see if that changes by the time the Leafs get to Utah in a couple of days. But still, the reason I bring this up is relatively tough schedule with some quality teams coming up here. And through five games, they're two, two and one. So I guess knowing that this is a team that has so few such few such

13:35little continuity. Let's put it that way. And you had coach, new GM few returning forwards from last year. And you take into account that all teams had a short preseason, a short training camp. Okay, what point do you start? We've talked about a lot of different players so far here this morning. But at what point do you draw that line and say, hey, this is where we can start making some really definitive conclusions about maybe, and this is not just a Leafs question. Maybe this is for all teams, but for the Leafs, at what point do you say that? So this is the point here. Good question. Because I look at the standings right now and I don't expect the Ottawa to be up there with Tampa Bay and Florida a month or two from now. Same thing with the Rangers and the Metro. Like there's a way to guess they'd be 4-1 or no. So it's incredibly early. The good news for the Leafs is that they're getting some great measuring stick games. Vegas is one of them. You mentioned Colorado and Utah and then Buffalo. You're going to see what the Leafs are made out of. So

14:35I don't want to say it's after this road trip. That's when we're going to die the cast. So to speak, but I think a month and now we should know. You should get an idea of what Gavin McKenna is probably going to be producing as a rookie. You're going to know whether you've got something in the tandem of Bob and Stolars and what the defense matchups look like. We'll see now, I guess, with Oliver Ackman-Larson, what his injury status is going to be. But when I look at this Leaf team again on paper, it should be a playoffs team. No team, I don't think made the improvement that Toronto made in the offseason. To that end, they also got number one overall pick. They don't make a playoffs. I think that's going to be just a huge, huge miss from the Maple Leafs in terms of what they did and what they didn't accomplish. But I would say, yeah, a month from now, if this Leaf teams on the playoffs, but I'd be really worried. Yeah, I agree with you. The Atlantic is tough, but that's what the wild card is for.

15:36Yeah, that they can't compete in the Atlantic. I don't think it's been decided yet either. So Vegas is good, right? No question. The defending Western conference champs and they looked that version after the first 10 minutes of the hockey game yesterday. And that wasn't even their best goalie in that. He's the guy under contract for the longest, but yeah, boy, Aiden Hill got exposed on the roster of the goal to start the game. Anyways, that's all to say, that was not a sellout. Yes, right. It's the first time they haven't sold out in like the history of their franchise. Again, the defending Western conference champions with the Leafs in the house yesterday. I don't know that that really struck me, Mike, that the Vegas Golden Knights is exciting and exhilarating as they are and as good as they are with the great opponent. That's when the the sellout streak ends. And I wonder, you know, with the Raiders being good and the other sports that are going to be setting up shop in Vegas, whether the bloom is a little bit off the rose there

16:37in Vegas going forward. I don't know. I, you know, I was in Vegas then, like I said, early or late September. And the bar was at on a weeknight. I think it was like a Thursday. They're like, oh, sorry guys, last call. And I'm like last call to eight o'clock. We mean last call. Yeah, no one comes out anymore. He's like, we've been closing early. So, you know, Leafs are playing in Vegas. This is a tourist team that the Golden Knights, they do rely on fans coming out from Toronto, Montreal around the NHL whenever their teams are playing on the road in Vegas. I imagine there was a lot fewer Canadians out there. I think that's going to hurt them. Like I said, when I was in Vegas, I don't see it as a ghost town, but I've been there over the years. And, you know, that was as quiet as I've ever seen it on a Thursday night. So, you know, I think that's just kind of the realities now fewer Canadians going over across the border because of the political climate. And I think that kind of reared it's a great head because you're right. First time, Vegas is not sold out the building and it didn't matter if it was the Leafs or whoever they're playing,

17:40that they're always kind of good for a sellout. But it's a tourist industry's taken to hit. You know, it's hard to fill that building. Could you then find a $10 Blackjack table? It's like the hardest day of the line. $20 is low, but like, find that. Like you, $20 Blackjack table, I get it. That's reasonable. But like, man, you get, you get, you get going sideways there for five hands and boy, yeah, it catch up quick. A $10 Blackjack table. That's what I'm talking about. $10 Casino War. I haven't been in Vegas in a while. That's where it's at, Michael. I miss Penny slots there. My slots in a rummage cook in my head. Oh, it's see me in four hours. Yeah. Or yeah, you set up shop at the sports book and yeah, you make a little wager and then yeah, keep them, keep them coming. Mike always appreciated. Thanks, buddy. All right, guys. I'm a great thanks given weekend as well. So I'll talk you. Yeah, yeah, you too. See you, Mike. Michael Treco's managing editor of the hockey news. Yeah, that's probably all it is is not enough Canadians making the pilgrimage to the United States in general,

18:45but specifically Las Vegas. And yeah, I did. I felt like I heard plenty of goalie go chance. They're capable. Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, I wonder how much of everything that has happened there with the attendance in Vegas is is Canadians traveling there to just watch hockey games and not necessarily even their own team and the Leafs only go there once a year. But yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a tourist town, I think, is safe to say about Las Vegas. Yeah, I'm sure they're the die hard goal. The night's fans there, but it does feel like to Mike's point that a lot of the nightly crowd as great as it is are there because there it's one of the many things to do in a city like Vegas, right? So I would be curious to see it. And I think that Mike is right that that's probably the largest aspect for me that the political climate contributing to this in Canada Canadians not across in the border. But I do wonder when the Habs go, I'd be curious to see if that's the same. Because is it is it also not a sellout when Montreal another team that has a pretty die hard

19:47rabbit fans are there and those fan base that fan base in particular this travel quite well. You know, as opposed to like would I be that shocked if like the SENS are in Vegas and they don't sell out like not really honestly. So yeah, curious to see also I do wonder to you. I mean Vegas overall I like last time I was in Vegas was 20 23 I think Ben and Vegas is also just I think a big part of the appeal that cities that it was relatively maybe not inexpensive is not the right word that you could go to Vegas and and your dollar could go a little further last time I was there it was expensive man. That was like like 79 99 USD for the hotel buffet. It was stuff like that. So it's like I don't know. Maybe hotel was that we were at the devil and not circus circus. No, we were not we were at the mandalay I think. Okay. That's where we went. Yeah. Yeah. I am once I don't even once. It was the only time I'd ever been if circus circus is still standing, which I guess I don't know for sure. But I I imagine you could still when I went to Vegas and it wasn't the last time but and it was boy is actually longer than I'd care to remember. I went for

20:51the minor league baseball winter meetings. Okay. Catch on with a minor league baseball team. And I did stay at circus circus. I think my hotel room cost $30. There you go. Yeah. And how long ago was this? Well, I'm an aged fella. So yeah, it was a long time ago. And it was $30 a night. And circus circus had a craps table right in the lobby right on the strip. It's at the far end of the strip. They had a craps day was $1 craps. That was that was banging. Let me tell you. Anyways, last one on the lease. So, Krile Marchenko, I think he pops like everyone's enjoyed what they've seen. And even the production has been reasonable. It's got four points and five games. One goal. And shooting a robot, 6.7%. This is a guy who shot 12.4% last year. He's got a career shooting percentage of 13 and a half. I think again, obviously it's you're not you know, there's no pressure on him to start

21:52scoring now like you'd like it to happen. But it's not like people like, yeah, man, guys got to finish. There's been a couple of moments. You're like, oh, that's weird. That should be a goal. You know, missed a wide open cage there going across the crease. Yeah, there's definitely some meat left on the bone when it comes to Marchenko. I think we all see the reason why Maybellifes gave up Matthew Nies took on the salary and signed them to the extension. But I think if you were looking at guys who actually need to produce a little bit more like Marchenko only having one goal for sure fits that mold. Yeah, no question. We were talking about this earlier. Like the reason I singled him out is not because I think he's playing poorly is because he's actually played well enough. And then I has to your point only has one goal. Even last night, I mean, there were some moments where he gets the puck in within one motion flings that thing on netted feels like you kind of expected to go in, right? So I'm not really not worried about Marchenko because to your point shooting percentages are down and the whole team still finding time to gel. You know, I'm guessing he's still getting to know Matthews and Ross Lovick. And that line has

22:57looked pretty good. I've been very impressed with Ross Lovick. I have. So like, you know, it was kind of funny. Like the beginning of the season prior, like I guess, I guess after the Marchenko trade prior to the first game of the season and that like that tiny little window there, you know, we were looking at the people on the top six. And I think the guy who most people said would be the odd met out was Jack Ross. And I think that's I think been furthest from the truth so far, at least for the top six as they continue to put lines in a blender so to speak. Yeah, I'll say along that last but right now all good with Jack Ross Lovick. All right, Russell Peters is coming to Casino Rammer Resort. February 19th and 20th. And we've got your chance to win your way in. Recently named one of Rolling Stones 50 best comics of all time. Russell Peters has entertained audiences worldwide for decades with the signature style and unforgettable standup performances. To enter all you have to do is listen to sports net today for the code word then text the code word to 595 90 today's code word is comedian text comedian to 595 90 for your chance to win tickets to the February 19th show. Today's the final day of our giveaway. If you don't win with us,

23:59you can still get your tickets to see Russell Peters live. Please note prize includes tickets to the February 19th show. Traveling accommodation are not included contest open to Ontario residents only standard message and data rates may apply when we come back. Raptors, clippers, fake game though in Vancouver tomorrow. Game two of the preseason for the Raptors will talk to Alvin Williams next as the fan morning show continues. Ben and his show Ali sports net 590 the fan. How's it going Alvin? Good morning. Good morning. So yeah, we haven't seen Kauai appear in

25:02the preseason yet. It's only one game and yeah, obviously whatever Kauai wants in the preseason Kauai gets. How much do you think he's going to play? How much did you want to play? Like what do you do with these preseason games in Kauai? Oh man, I just don't even put me in Kauai in the same category. I had to play that was the difference. Kauai, you know what I mean? He's proven. He's you know, and now the way the game is and the season the way it goes, the veteran players, they really have a lot of autonomy where where it decides like how they want to perform in a preseason. The respect level is there and understanding is there. The game is there. So the biggest thing is Kauai being protected and being healthy enough going throughout the season. So there the Raptors did a beautiful job, you know, his tenure with the Raptors early on. So they they know how to manage Kauai. So I think, you know, this preseason game, I don't put a lot of weight on it. I just know that, you know, he wants he's engaged. He wants to play for this team.

26:03We want to play for this organization. So preseason is the least of my worries and I'm sure it's the least of Kauai's worries as well. Yeah, but I totally get the idea of rashing his minutes in the preseason. But you know, how much do you think or it might not matter at all, but how much do you think it matters chemistry wise for him to get time with guys he's not super familiar with? Or is it simply he's a star entering year 15? They'll figure it out during the regular season. Yeah, he's a star. They're going to figure it out. And you know, and the beautiful thing about what you do at a Kauai Leonard or any one of the magnitude and that experience and that understanding of how to play no matter what situation you'll put them in, they'll be able to adjust. They know how to play the game. They know how to deliver with the coach and what the team needs and to do. And in the Raptors, they understand how good he is. So they're going to have to form around him and the chemistry will be there. It's Raptor team. I think we can talk about chemistry. It's not just about on the court is off the court as well. And we've seen this Raptor team. They're

27:05close knit but they have great character. And it's just one of those things that I think it just helps them propel themselves in that category when it comes to the chemistry. So I think adding in Kauai Leonard again, he knows how to play the game. He's one of the best players in the NBA. And he's going to fit perfectly. So so much is different this time around with Kauai, right? Part of it is Kauai actually wants to be here this time, which definitely at the outset, he didn't. He grew to enjoy it, but he didn't sign up for even a second season the first time around, even after winning a championship. The other part is in 2019, well 2018, 2019, the Raptors were coming off of 59 win regular season. They had lots of depth and it was no problem to load manage Kauai because that team was good without him during the regular season. Obviously, I just, I wonder how you think this team in the non-Kauai minutes or the non-Kauai games because we know even like the most optimistic what Kauai is playing 65 games. That was great. Like you'd you'd take 65

28:09games from Kauai. That's like almost 20 games that he's not playing like do the Raptors have the depth around Kauai to survive either well both the the non-Kauai minutes in game and the the non-Kauai games that are going to happen during the regular season. Now, I believe they do. I believe again, go back to the style of play and the way the league is constructed now. It's not although you do need your superstar and you need your main guy. A lot of times the teams are predicated around team play, the depth, the versatility. In the Raptors, when you look at that, Kauai minutes not playing but then right to the other side, I got a Scotty Barnes. So I have Scotty Barnes. I have RJ Barrett. I have young talented guys that can hold the weight if a Kauai Leonard is not there. They've been in different situations. They've had postseason experience. They have a guy in Scotty Barnes developed to go be that go-to guy. RJ Barrett as well. So you have a

29:13lot of players that can carry the load if again if Kauai Leonard is not playing. So I believe the Raptors are prepared for this. I believe when you make a move for Kauai Leonard knowing the severity of his presence and what he's going to bring to the table when he's on the floor, you have to make sure your team and the surrounding pieces around are equipped to when he's not playing. I believe that Raptors are. The other thing that the deciding factor is how the other teams around the East have built. So it depends on which of the scheduling looks like. Who are you playing? What the matchup is, the days that Kauai is not there. But the Raptors, I believe, are more than equipped to carry the load when Kauai is not playing one or two games or if you miss this 20 games, the Raptors can hold the weight. I'm glad you mentioned the Eastern Conference album because it is a conference that I think has been much improved this offseason in a lot of ways, right? I mean, Yannis with the heat now. We'll see what that looks like. The Sixers obviously adding a finals MVP and Jalen Brown. And oh yeah, some guy named LeBron James. The Pacers are

30:13healthy again. And then you're adding the Raptors alongside those teams to group that already included the next the defending NBA champions, the Celtics, Caves and Pistons. And I don't think those teams expect there'll be any worse than they were in the regular season last year. So, yeah, I mean, like, what are the expectations of the Raptors and what in theory is a much improved Eastern Conference? Now, you add a Kauai Liner along with the pieces you have and along with the the level of success that the Raptors had last year going to game seven against the Eastern Conference finalists and the Cleveland Cavaliers and taking them right to the brink and they were under man without a B.I. and without a manual quickly. So, the Raptors should have nothing but positive thoughts, high expectations. I mean, when you again, you, you couple Kauai Liner along with the experience and the players that they already have. So, it's just one of those things. If you're if you're the Raptors, you're ready to get busy. You're ready to, to put your best up against these other teams that, you know, they aren't adding pieces. The Raptors to sort of

31:14speak, they they have their core and they just added, you know, you lose B.I. who had a great season for their for the Raptors last year and unfortunately ended with injury. But you added in Kauai Liner and no disrespect to B.I. I think that's an upgraded position because two sides of the floor, the efficiency that Kauai plays with in its familiarity with this country. So, I think that, but the other teams, they're on paper and these are teams that they've had some adjustments. Even if you look at the next defendants champions, they lost the big piece and when you talk about how, how they go about with with with the big fella that went to Boston, South Texas. I'm forgetting his name right now, but the offensive rebounder, he's he's just somebody that helped them with with so many possessions and you look at this team can carry what they did last year. In the other teams, they're healthier, but they have a lot of chemistry issues as well. The sixes, they've added so many pieces and so many big pieces. How's the chemistry going to work there, but those type of teams, they're going to have a lot of expectations and there's a lot of talent, but you got to put

32:17the Raptors right up there with these expectations. I believe at least top four, top five teams in the East. There's the off-court stuff with Kauai as well. I mean, this is a very it's a young team outside of Kauai, right? And we're still learning about Colin Murray-Boys. It just it feels like the the the amount that that Kauai can impart on he and Scotty Barnes. I just wonder if there's a way to quantify that. What do you think those conversations are like between Kauai and those players? Or is it mostly just like, hey, you learn by watching and Kauai, he's just the way he performs, the way he prepares. That's how you learn from Kauai. You know, Kauai is an interesting dude, you know, you know, his reputation to the outside media, to the outstop fan base and people that don't know him. He seems like a standoffish guy, Kauai guy, but if you talk to former teammates and teammates, they love they love his personality, they love his humor, they love his interaction. So I think, you know, I'm being honest to us, he he he is, he does take that leadership role, but I think right

33:20from outside again, he's somebody by example, you look at how he prepares for games, you look at how he he plans for the games, you look how he performs in the game. So I think it's a win-win when you can see him and you can get information from him verbally, but then you can you can look at his his background, you can look at his his his his makeup and you look at what he performs on the court. So he's going to be a leader, he's going to be somebody that they they're going to look up to. I really believe everyone to benefit playing with a Kauai Leonard, a multiple finals MVP, a finals winner and Scotty Barnes of course, that's the obvious person that you would say, but I think RGA Barrett, I think that Jamal said, I think, I think, Manuel quickly, I think that Jacobi Walter, I think these guys will benefit tremendous tremendously from a Kauai Leonard's present. Like, let's just go big picture here because I don't know if I've talked to you, Alvin, since the Kauai signing, or a trade went through and the extension signings become official. Can you imagine

34:26telling yourself after the 2019 championship and obviously circumstances had to happen which I mean like the Clippers franchise had to be imploded by losing all the first round picks for forever and massive fines and yada yada yada all that happened there. But can you imagine me telling you after, you know, the whole season that Kauai plays out and then he decides to go to the Clippers the one day he would voluntarily return and wants to play the rest of his like the final years of his career in Toronto after the way his his first 10 years started where he felt like he was, you know, just forced out to play the year and then obviously ends in a championship. Can you believe that we're here that Kauai Leonard shows the Raptors and wants to finish his Hall of Fame career in Toronto? So my experience with the NBA, you can never be surprised because everything seems like it's possible. I'll tell you why Kauai Leonard is the best player to ever do it in Toronto where after just to remove this effect to call, call a lawyer to group. Kauai Leonard

35:29probably will get his jersey retired, especially now, his second second stand here. Might even get a statue because of my experience in Toronto. There were so many players that actually opted to leave Toronto some great players and some some of guys were, were franchise players or going into that direction and by the end of their career or throughout their career, they all wanted to somehow come back to Toronto. For sure. And Kauai Leonard actually pulled it all. That's why he's one of the best to ever do it because you get to Toronto, you get to experience this city, you get to experience the fan base and then you know, especially early on in the franchise history, a lot of players didn't understand. They wanted to go somewhere else, they do it to grass greener on the other side and they found out that they missed Toronto. They missed the city, they missed the fan base, they missed the opportunity, they missed the team, they missed so much that this city had to offer and they always wanted to come back or play another game here. And Kauai Leonard again, he got to, he's getting a chance to do that at a high level. So

36:34it has to offer Kauai who has an opportunity to take, take control of his career and he chose to come back to a place that again, man, like it can't be undermined, it can't be forgotten. That it's a wonderful city, it's a wonderful place to play, it's a wonderful fan base to play in front of and now the organization is a top notch organization. It has its ability, it has the tradition, it has the winning pedigree, it has the superstars that come out of here, it has what we have now, the Groot Kyle Lowry that's representing this city and the organization. So Kauai Leonard again, getting a chance to come back and commanding that trade and demanding that he come back here out of anywhere else and he wants to finish here, he's the best to do it because a lot of players want to do it and he just couldn't pull it off. I'm glad you mentioned that because this is, it is a sea change moment in the history of the franchise. This has never happened that one of the what five, 10 players that matter in this league that can single handedly change your championship aspirations has decided to be a Toronto Raptor. Obviously again, circumstances are different than

37:37some of the other superstars that have changed the locales like well, one, he knows what it is to be here and two, yes, again, what happened in LA with the with the with the clippers. But do you think it is a signal to the rest of the league and like next time we have a disgruntled superstar X that you know, the Raptors are maybe actually a factor in those or like, you know, if anyone ever gets a free agency again, like that the Raptors are on a list of teams that could possibly land that player like is this is this a signal to the rest of the league superstars? Yeah, I don't know, you know, everyone has their own agenda, everyone has their own career path that they want to pursue, but I believe it shouldn't be it shouldn't be something that the Raptors just drive for or the fan base to strive for the superstars, you know, my time here and my experience with this organization and the city is always like driving or trying to get that big name, but that's superstar and just to create some validity to the organization or the city, but that's not

38:38it's not necessary to Toronto Rapids have has a planet to flag. You have you have superstars here, you have a Scotty Barnes who's an emerging superstar of not a superstar depending on who you ask, but we know how great he is and RJ Barrett RJ Barrett to me is somebody again, he reminds me a lot of a DeMar de Rosen when DeMar was here really represent and and carry the organization on their backs and they really want to be here, but RJ Barrett being Canadians and being from this area to me the team has taken on his personality. Last year he showed me so much coming through injury, bouncing back, playing at a high level, providing what the team didn't necessarily have with the physicality, getting to the free-to-align plan and force, planning transition and also he's being that goon for the team, he's being that guy you saw multiple times step up of anything was to happen, he's writing to mix, I'm not promoting fighting or anything like that, but he's definitely not letting the team get punk. So when you have somebody like that that plays at that

39:39high level as willing to put their body on the line and and come to blows for anybody for their team and their country, I'm all for it. So whether somebody comes in like a Kawaii Leonard or another superstar, I'm happy with what the Raptors have and what they've been developing internally and they've been doing that for many many years. So again, Kudos to the Raptors organization and if they're outside the superstar see that thing, yeah, they're going to be more attracted to that to that type of environment, to that type of community, that type of culture. Is I'm glad you mentioned RJ Barrett because it's funny, I think the two of us spoke a lot about what the Raptors would do with him even last year. Now here he is entering the final year of his deal wants to season begins. It will be interesting I think, Alvin, to see how the team views RJ Barrett because on one hand, they're probably waiting to see how like a Jacobi Walter develops for example, but at the same time to your point about all the things RJ Barrett does and does quite well, whether it's as a Raptor or not. I mean, he's a valuable addition, right? I mean, he's never

40:39been shy about wanting to stay a Raptor in addition to that on the court. I mean, you can find the bottom of the basket with relative ease. He can create his own shot. I mean, I know you've never make moves based on what the fans want, but he is a popular player that is playing in his hometown. And while I do believe this will continue to be an excellent defensive team, especially when you add a coiled entered into the mix, you do need offense and RJ Barrett provides that in spades, I'd say. Star and look out. I mean, RJ Barrett has shown growth in this league. His seven, seven years still do a 26 years old. And he's just showing growth. I watched him and put a mix. I watched him when he came to Toronto and his game continues to grow. He continues to show his ability to become better as a player, his work ethic and he loves basketball. So if I'm anybody in executive, that's the first thing I'm looking at. My player loved basketball. Do they love? Do they want to be here? But do they love the game of basketball? And that's what RJ shows night in the night out.

41:43And again, I can't speak enough about RJ Barrett because I love that type of player. I love that type of player that's willing to put it all on a line. Do whatever it needs to do. Make big shots, take big shots and have something that they do whatever it needs to be done. So, unfortunately, the business of the sport and just the business when it comes to the financial piece, you don't have that much control and you gotta make the decision was best for you and your career. And organization got to make decision was best for them and their organization. But hopefully, those two pieces come together because RJ Barrett is not someone you let walk or you trade away for just pieces. He's somebody that is a big time piece for this team. And I think when you have that, you don't want to mess up that chemistry. We talked about that earlier. And RJ is a huge piece for this team moving forward. I believe. And if you can get something for him and that's the direction that the team is going, you have to be very careful because another RJ is not going to, is not right around the corner. Yeah, I agree. Gotta be careful with that. It was great to see him get his moment in the postseason last year. Alvin, I always appreciate the time. Thanks.

42:48Oh, thanks for having me any time. Thanks, Alvin. Alvin Williams, Raptors playing their second preseason game of the season tomorrow night in Vancouver. So the NHL has done, I think a smart thing and reduced the number of preseason games and how long the preseason is. And me, I want to take a page of that book because season doesn't start until a week from Wednesday. It still feels incredibly long 12 days away from the beginning of the season. Too many days. Yeah, yeah. LeBron made his six years preseason day. Yesterday, like helicopter Dan or whatever, that's what he's doing, right? He's living in New York and he's is choppering in to Philadelphia. I always think it was funny when he was describing it to you because he's paraphrasing here, but he says something along the lines of, away from my family. And it's, come on, man. Like you're like the richest athlete in the NBA. Maybe ever. Okay. So Philadelphia is not that far from New York City. No, it is a chopper is like by what I've read 30 to 50 minutes. Like the drive itself was only like 90 minutes. Yeah,

43:54I think that drive is pretty quick. Okay. Yeah. You're saving, okay. And you would, if you could, and apparently he's not even paying for the chopper. It's like a sponsored chopper, but he's like saving 40 minutes in driving by taking a helicopter. I mean, I guess if you can do it, kudos to you. Um, Kauai. I imagine is going to be living in the city. It'll be going garage to garage in February, which I wouldn't blame him to do either. Um, you might need a helicopter depending on where he's living in the city. We'll see if he's living out of downtown traffic wise. But he, yeah, how that would change my life. I didn't have to drive a land on top of the building here. Rogers and just come down, you know, yeah, I'll be there. Yeah. Anyway, so yeah, this is, it's a big deal. Kauai obviously returning to rappers, but choosing to choosing the Raptors. Now it is the circumstances. It's not like, you know, Kevin Durant choosing the rocket. Exactly. Or Yannis choosing the heat, right? Because well, yeah, again, one he's been here before, but also,

44:58yeah, leaving a franchise in ruins and not that he's persona non-grata. If Kauai Leonard was interested in joining your franchise, I think most franchises would be like, yep, whatever, I don't care what the deal is with your past history or, you know, the Uncle Dennis of it all, as long as you're going to be able to play, well, well, whatever, do whatever it takes to bring you in despite your age, despite your injury history, you're pretty healthy and very productive last year. But yeah, I just, it's such a historic event in the history of this franchise that is law superstar after superstar. And the one guy is like, everything could have, it could not have been in more place for the, the Raptors to run it back in 1920. And he wins a championship and an MVP, a finals MVP and whatever you want to do, you want to do one year, you want to do two years, you want to do options, you want us to trade for Paul George and okay, I guess I would have been a bad idea, but and he still didn't come back. But now he is back. I just, I wonder if there's more to come. And

46:04Alvin's right, like you don't need to hope and pray that that's the next thing that happens because the Raptors done pretty well without that. And they traded for quite the first time around. But it just, I feel like we're overlooking that because of the the maelstrom that he left behind with the Cleppers. Yeah, I will be fascinating to see Kauai's addition in an Eastern conference as well. That is pretty stacked as we discussed with Alvin. And I mean, I admit when Kauai signed with the Raptors, I looked at it with some cynicism, right? It was Kauai coming back to a place that would will let him kind of do whatever he wants and he gets all the money he wants. But look, I mean, this is going to be likely a win-win relationship for both the Raptors and him himself. Oh yeah, Raptors are super relevant. That's for sure whether it works out or not. All right, we'll back next week. Thanks, show. It's been the Fan Morning Show Sports, 759 in the fan.