Struggling Raptors Make Big Trades
On Dec. 30, the Raptors traded longtime fan favourite OG Anunoby, along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Two and a half weeks later, the Raptors then traded all-star Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers for Bruce Brown Jr., Kira (pronounced Ky-ruh) Lewis Jr., and Jordan Nwora. Raptors power forward Chris Boucher is now the only player left from the 2019 championship-winning team.
When asked about the recent trade during a media conference, Raptors president Masai Ujiri offered the following sombre reflection: “the human part of this business is tough. My wife and my kids see me suffer. My son texted me and said ‘you traded OG?’ […] It’s not easy.”
The struggling Raptors are, as of late January, in the midst of one of their worst seasons in the last decade. The recent trades signal a clear effort to rebuild the team around emerging superstar Scottie Barnes.
How far can the Lions go?
Last issue, we noted that the Detroit Lions were having a historic season after nearly two decades of lacklustre seasons, including an 0-16 season in 2008. Since our prediction in November, the Lions have continued their successful campaign, beating the L.A. Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to secure a place in the NFL conference championships. The Detroit Lions are now one win away from the Super Bowl. For those of you who consider football incidental to the Super Bowl halftime show, it’s worth noting that Super Bowl LVIII will feature the smooth, soulful sounds of none other than Usher Raymond IV, also known simply as Usher.
Super Bowl LVIII (58) takes place on Sunday, Feb. 11.
First season underway for PWHL Toronto
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) officially began its highly anticipated debut season on Jan. 2, 2024, when more than 8,300 fans attended PWHL Ottawa’s home opener against PWHL Montreal. Among the six teams that make up the league, PWHL Toronto was, as of Jan. 21, ranked in last place with only two wins in their first six games. With PWHL Toronto already a quarter of the way through their 24-game season, things will need to change quickly if they hope to compete for the inaugural PWHL championship.
The PWHL playoffs begin the week of May 6.
UFC champ makes anti-LGBTQ comments, loses fight in Toronto
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland made headlines leading up to UFC 297 in Toronto in January when he made anti-LGBTQ and anti-Trudeau comments during a press conference. No disciplinary action has been announced for Strickland, who lost his title via decision to Dricus Du Plessis. During his post- fight interview, newly crowned champion Du Plessis called for a rematch against former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Could trades fix what ails the Leafs?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a middling season, despite their offensive firepower, including centre Auston Matthews leading the league in goals as of January. We’ll see if trades are made in an attempt to improve the struggling defence and goaltending by the March 8 trade deadline.
The all-star game is being held in Toronto this year on Feb. 3.
This article appeared in the 2024 Feb/Mar issue.
