Matt Shantz
@shantz.bsky.social
Raptors fan, basketball lover, tea drinker, cyclist. Former writer for Hoops Habit & Raptors Republic.
I apologize in advance for my puns.
I apologize in advance for my puns.
Since the start of the 2023 season Trae Young has made 77 more triples than Corey Kispert, and he attempted 284 more to get there.
January 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Since the start of the 2023 season Trae Young has made 77 more triples than Corey Kispert, and he attempted 284 more to get there.
The Wizards got good value in the trade, and the Hawks have finally picked a directly, but the real winner of this trade is me because I don't have to see people making Trae Young to the Raptors trades anymore.
January 8, 2026 at 3:20 PM
The Wizards got good value in the trade, and the Hawks have finally picked a directly, but the real winner of this trade is me because I don't have to see people making Trae Young to the Raptors trades anymore.
Report: Trae Young believes the Wizards are his best chance at his next payday.
Trae Young has the Washington Wizards as his top preferred trade destination, sources tell ESPN. Atlanta is working to move Young, who has a $49 million player option in offseason that would make him an expiring contract; or opt out, leave and give Hawks significant cap space.
January 7, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Report: Trae Young believes the Wizards are his best chance at his next payday.
Awake at 3am, gave up on sleep shortly after 4am. But at least I've got a cup of tea, a good book, and some cute company.
January 7, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Awake at 3am, gave up on sleep shortly after 4am. But at least I've got a cup of tea, a good book, and some cute company.
Where I think I'd struggle the most as an NBA player:
1. Athleticism
2. Physicality
3. Ability to create/remember numerous handshake sequences
1. Athleticism
2. Physicality
3. Ability to create/remember numerous handshake sequences
January 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Where I think I'd struggle the most as an NBA player:
1. Athleticism
2. Physicality
3. Ability to create/remember numerous handshake sequences
1. Athleticism
2. Physicality
3. Ability to create/remember numerous handshake sequences
Another victory cigar sent packing...
(But Bamba will likely be back.)
(But Bamba will likely be back.)
The crowd is cheering for Mo Bamba like he's Bruno Caboclo.
January 6, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Another victory cigar sent packing...
(But Bamba will likely be back.)
(But Bamba will likely be back.)
I can't stop thinking about this pass. I think there have been times that CMB needs to be more selfish/assertive when he gets the ball under the basket, but this level of processing speed (and knowing it was Gradey) is insane.
Colin Murray-Boyles is so unselfish, and his court awareness is great.
January 6, 2026 at 3:28 PM
I can't stop thinking about this pass. I think there have been times that CMB needs to be more selfish/assertive when he gets the ball under the basket, but this level of processing speed (and knowing it was Gradey) is insane.
Have I thought this entirely through? Absolutely not.
Am I going to say it anyway? Yes.
Kings: Trae Young
Hawks: Anthony Davis
Mavs: LaVine, plus assets from both Kings and Hawks
Am I going to say it anyway? Yes.
Kings: Trae Young
Hawks: Anthony Davis
Mavs: LaVine, plus assets from both Kings and Hawks
January 6, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Have I thought this entirely through? Absolutely not.
Am I going to say it anyway? Yes.
Kings: Trae Young
Hawks: Anthony Davis
Mavs: LaVine, plus assets from both Kings and Hawks
Am I going to say it anyway? Yes.
Kings: Trae Young
Hawks: Anthony Davis
Mavs: LaVine, plus assets from both Kings and Hawks
I take 2 buses with my son on the way to work/daycare. On first a man wrote me a message on his phone to encourage me as a dad. On the second bus a women told me my backpack was leaking as my son's water bottle had opened up (I now have wet pants).
So...mixed bag of a commute.
So...mixed bag of a commute.
January 5, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I take 2 buses with my son on the way to work/daycare. On first a man wrote me a message on his phone to encourage me as a dad. On the second bus a women told me my backpack was leaking as my son's water bottle had opened up (I now have wet pants).
So...mixed bag of a commute.
So...mixed bag of a commute.
Ryan Rollins and Deni Avdija are a good argument that a worthwhile strategy is giving a shot to young players the Wizards give up on to see what they can do in a functional environment.
Not foolproof, but worth a try.
Not foolproof, but worth a try.
i wrote about 8 players who've taken some kind of a leap this season: www.theringer.com/2026/01/05/n...
Eight NBA Players Who Are Taking a Leap This Season
From stars breaking out to role players leveling up, these are the most significant glow-ups in the league
www.theringer.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Ryan Rollins and Deni Avdija are a good argument that a worthwhile strategy is giving a shot to young players the Wizards give up on to see what they can do in a functional environment.
Not foolproof, but worth a try.
Not foolproof, but worth a try.
The crowd is cheering for Mo Bamba like he's Bruno Caboclo.
January 4, 2026 at 2:52 AM
The crowd is cheering for Mo Bamba like he's Bruno Caboclo.
The Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles outlet pass game is working both ways so far tonight...but the outlet pass finishing is not.
January 4, 2026 at 12:46 AM
The Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles outlet pass game is working both ways so far tonight...but the outlet pass finishing is not.
Waking daily to new atrocities.
January 3, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Waking daily to new atrocities.
Folks, I think the Slovakian Junior team might be outmatched against the Canadians.
January 3, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Folks, I think the Slovakian Junior team might be outmatched against the Canadians.
Welcome to the new escapees of Twitter. We're glad you're here!
Let's talk hoops!
Let's talk hoops!
January 2, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Welcome to the new escapees of Twitter. We're glad you're here!
Let's talk hoops!
Let's talk hoops!
Starting to make plans to attend Kindergarten Info Sessions, which feels insane. The days are long as a parent, but the weeks/months/year seemingly fly by.
January 2, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Starting to make plans to attend Kindergarten Info Sessions, which feels insane. The days are long as a parent, but the weeks/months/year seemingly fly by.
1995 NBA Expansion coming in hot.
NBA teams who are Bottom 10 in Offensive Rating (OR) and Top 10 in Defensive Rating (DR) using the @basketball-reference.com version (Bad Offense/Good Defense):
Raptors: 21 OR, 5 DR
Grizzlies: 25 OR, 9 DR
Raptors: 21 OR, 5 DR
Grizzlies: 25 OR, 9 DR
January 1, 2026 at 4:54 PM
1995 NBA Expansion coming in hot.
Reposted by Matt Shantz
My son is having a rough night. So I'm having a rough night. Gave up on sleep around 3AM to read a book instead.
But you know who hasn't given up on sleep?
But you know who hasn't given up on sleep?
December 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
My son is having a rough night. So I'm having a rough night. Gave up on sleep around 3AM to read a book instead.
But you know who hasn't given up on sleep?
But you know who hasn't given up on sleep?
With this signing, Salt Lake City is about to have Less Bamba.
Mo Bamba has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Toronto Raptors, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports and Greer Love tell ESPN. Bamba averaged 16.5 points and 12 rebounds in G League Salt Lake City and now brings needed size to Raptors frontcourt for his eighth NBA season.
December 29, 2025 at 1:32 AM
With this signing, Salt Lake City is about to have Less Bamba.
Watching my 4.5yo son and my 90yo Grandma working on a little mini puzzle together is truly filling my heart.
December 27, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Watching my 4.5yo son and my 90yo Grandma working on a little mini puzzle together is truly filling my heart.
I don't know much about Finnish culture, but they absolutely nailed it with the Christmas sauna tradition. (And just the sauna in general)
December 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I don't know much about Finnish culture, but they absolutely nailed it with the Christmas sauna tradition. (And just the sauna in general)
My son is currently walking (VERY slowly) a remote control robot around the house while wearing green pajamas covered with candy canes.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!!
December 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
My son is currently walking (VERY slowly) a remote control robot around the house while wearing green pajamas covered with candy canes.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!!
So I'm supposed to believe that Blippi and Meekah can drive a car, but they don't know how a ladder works??
This Job Show requires a real suspension of belief.
This Job Show requires a real suspension of belief.
December 23, 2025 at 8:41 PM
So I'm supposed to believe that Blippi and Meekah can drive a car, but they don't know how a ladder works??
This Job Show requires a real suspension of belief.
This Job Show requires a real suspension of belief.