Raptors in 7

Vivek Jacob and Joe Wolfond are back to evaluate the Toronto Raptors' performances in eight games without Kawhi Leonard. The team has gone 3-5, and with Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley also out with injury, they look at RJ Barrett's struggles, Jamal Shead and Jakob Poeltl's improvement, and whether team is actually good enough to compete at a solid level if everyone but Leonard is healthy.

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Joe's latest, on RJ Barrett's woeful defence: https://raptorsinseven.substack.com/p/raptors-need-way-more-from-rj-barrett

Vivek's latest, on Jakob Poeltl: https://raptorsinseven.substack.com/p/the-old-jakob-poeltl-isnt-walking

Vivek and Joe look back on the games against the Lakers and Clippers and the problems as well as potential solutions in playing without Kawhi Leonard. They then zoom out on the first seven games of the season and what has gone right and wrong for the team, what feels sustainable and the challenges ahead. The episode wraps up with thoughts on Leonard's absence from the team and whether he's right to spend this time away.

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Episode 2: Joe Wolfond and Vivek Jacob discuss their biggest preseason takeaways including Kawhi's three-point shooting, Scottie's predicted scoring leap, and CMB's opportunity at power forward. They also make predictions for the East regular season standings.

Segments:
1:00 Kawhi Leonard 3pt shooting
8:00 The 4 Horsemen of the Rapocalypse lineup
18:00 Collin Murray-Boyles' evolution
28:30 Scottie Barnes' scoring growth
38:00 Allen Graves expectations
45:45 Alijah Martin potential
49:30 East standings predictions

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In the first episode of the Raptors in 7 podcast, Vivek Jacob and Joe Wolfond analyze all the key variables that will impact the Toronto Raptors' ability to contend for a title in the 2026-27 season. Make sure to subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to also join the Raptors in 7 Substack newsletter to receive all our written content.

https://raptorsinseven.substack.com/