Why Is Nobody Talking About the Toronto Raptors?? | HHT 68
On the 68th episode of Hot Hand Theory, Geoff and XJ break down how Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Darko Rajaković, and the Toronto Raptors are exposing the NBA—and why their 8 wins in 9 games isn’t luck; it’s brilliant system design meeting elite execution.
The duo dives into the film and data to show how the Raptors are winning with a hybrid system nobody can replicate: leading the NBA in transition frequency while ranking only 12th in pace. They’re somehow the fastest AND slowest team in basketball—running in transition, then slowing down to dominate in the half-court with elite efficiency. It’s a paradox that’s taking the Eastern Conference by storm.
We explore why Darko’s egalitarian offense is maximizing every player simultaneously, how Immanuel Quickley is the heartbeat of their transition dominance (pushing the ball off live rebounds at the highest rate in the NBA), and why Scottie Barnes has emerged as one of the league’s best defenders. Plus: how Brandon Ingram bought into a system that seems designed to clash with his style—and why it’s working anyway.
The Raptors are 8-1 in their last 9 games with elite metrics emerging on both ends, and this isn’t just a hot streak; it’s validation of a unique approach. We break down what makes their pace paradox work, why their bench is dominating, and how players like Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Murray Boyles, Jamal Shead, Gradey Dick, and Jamal Shead are thriving in this system.
We cover:
🔹 The pace paradox: How the Raptors lead in transition but rank only 12th in pace (and why it’s genius)
🔹 Darko’s egalitarian system: Everyone initiates, everyone contributes, minimal turnovers
🔹 Immanuel Quickley’s hidden impact: Elite off-ball defense and transition engine
🔹 Why Scottie Barnes is one of the NBA’s best defenders (and offensive hub)
🔹 How Brandon Ingram bought in: Playing at the lowest isolation rate of his career while dominating in post-ups
🔹 Can this system sustain through playoff basketball, or will shooting luck regression bring them back down to earth?
💬 Let us know in the comments: Are the Raptors legitimate contenders in the East? And can this hybrid system scale to the playoffs?
If you value strategic analysis over hot takes and want NBA breakdown that explains HOW teams win, not just that they won, subscribe and catch every episode.
#TorontoRaptors #Raptors #ScottieBarnes #ImmanuelQuickley #RJBarrett #BrandonIngram #HotHandTheory #NBAPodcast #NBAAnalysis #RaptorsBasketball #EasternConference #NBASeason #NBA #DarkoRajakovic #GradeyDick
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Timestamps:
0:00 | Preview
0:52 | Intro: The Toronto Raptors
3:09 | Analyzing Coach Darko’s Egalitarian System
7:35 | Making Sense of the Raptors’ Pace
10:25 | Brandon Ingram Making The Most of an Awkward Fit
14:30 | Toronto’s Bench is a FORCE
19:00 | Embracing the Raptors’ Depth and Versatility
22:31 | Immanuel Quickley Pushing the Pace
26:00 | Why IQ and Scottie Barnes are an IDEAL Pairing
28:33 | How to Offset Opponent Shooting Regression
31:45 | Please Comment & SUBSCRIBE
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25 Comments
How LEGIT are the Raptors: where do you think they'll finish in East this season?
Top 3 seed
4-6
7-10
Below 10
👇🏾
14:17 – It's Futuristic Basketball, bring the 2030's to 2025, and there's still more to implement.
Scottie is the best player, but if you watch carefully (after the OG trade), Scottie would try hard to get everyone incorporated, to a point fans would lose it. Then against good teams (or teams with stars) he'll go the monster games.
Same thing this year, his low scoring games are typically vs bad teams, where he tries to get everyone else going.
Raptors fan here, and a Canadian all my life, and I must say that I am enjoying your objective, non biased analysis, no hate involved.
Which is something i'm pretty used to, listening to American pundits, everything you guys said, to me was spot on
I can tell you guys are basketball nerds, and I love it. Keep up the great work guys. You just got a new subscriber.
honestly a incredibly well done discussion you guys are a breath of fresh air
Subscribed. Love listening to your analysis, both of you playing off each other. Such good content!!
Raptors were better than their record last year. They played their rookies & bench for a good percentage of the season, while the starters were either injured or resting. This year, the injured players are back, they added Ingram, Mamu & CMB and last years rookies have a full season of experience. Players like Shead (34th pick) and Battle (undrafted) are playing well and Walter & Mogbo are getting minutes in the G league and near the end of the season last year, the rookie line up was playing so well, that the Raptors dropped in the draft.
Really enjoyed your analysis of my Raps. As you see from so many comments, the Raps get ignored in US broadcasting. You made many good points most in US don't see. Would love to see this type of unbiased review on all teams so subscribing now
Isn't Larry Bird #33 and Magic Johnson is #32? 🤔
All sounded spot on to me, only gripe I had was IQ being the pulse or what drives the identity. If transition is our identity, frequency yes.. effectiveness not quite. Scottie is good at pushing it in transition too and he makes the right reads all the time feels like in this regard. However Quickley has had a lot of trouble making terrible unneccessary thread the needle passes or settling for a pull up when theres a 2 on 1 instead of a 3 on 2 type thing. Not that he hasn't picked it up as of late and started making those pull ups, just not necessarily excellent execution in totality. I really like his improved lane penetration and one of his biggest weaknesses has been picking up his dribble in bad spots. He still does it but seems to be improving. That combined eith Darkos system inflating assists of players and Scottie doing so much in the half court to get offence rolling (still where the game played the most) I think that he still the guy you describe. IQ's playmaking has improved but not to that level. Scottie will also probably take on more responsibility in the playoffs, making IQ more the 2ndary guy in this regard. Scottie might not be the smoothest bucket getter but his whole schtick is to be the engine on both ends, kind of like how Giddey will never be number 1 guy on a championship team scoring wise but he could be the engine that gets it all rolling. Scottie also has the leadership side of this equation.. he is pointing guys to spots and talking to them in the huddle a decent amount still. Plus its just Darko's offence to have a lot of our guys doing a lot of things out there. The boys put in a lot of work, good to have them all fresh and happy in their role.. playoffs may change it all a bit
Anyway, just my take. Good show, I hit subcribe
Great video, Scottie Barnes the truth
no one talked about the championship raptors either…pretty much until they won the eastern finals lol. They're not american. It is what it is
Imagine if the Knicks lose to the Raptors in the playoffs after trading RJ and IQ for OG who just can't stay healthy.
it's simple fellas they are a Canadian franchise so the biased American Sports media ignores them even if they had LeBron,sga,and nikola jokic they would still be ignored
Raps fans thank yall
Subscribed. Very intelligent discussion. You guys are really knowledgeable. Kudos!
Great open conversaton. Got my subsription.
You just got a new sub! Love from Toronto.
You are on point about Immanuel!
Let's gooooooo
Subscribed
I love your scientific analysis. Thanks for your presentation.
LETS GO RAPTORS!!
Hi. Thanks. Sustainability? Darko said they win by adjusting to every team, and that the focus is so concentrated that it’s to the point now where he doesn’t usually recall the last situation much less the one that’s more than a game ahead. He’s insanely focused on the here and now. Peace🌬️⛹🏽♀️.
Nice to hear in depth talk analysis of the Raptors from those other than local podcasters
Wow, you guys really watched a lot of Raptor games. You really know whats going on there. Very impressive.