In this week’s mailbag, Doug Smith fields Olympic questions on everything from LeBron James to Scottie Barnes to which sports should be added.

Toronto Raptors to hold training camp in Montreal ahead of NBA season

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors will hold their training camp in Montreal ahead of the upcoming NBA season. The Raptors announced Wednesday that the camp runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 5 at Université du Québec à Montréal’s sports centre.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors will hold their training camp in Montreal ahead of the upcoming NBA season.

The Raptors announced Wednesday that the camp runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 5 at Université du Québec à Montréal’s sports centre.

It will be the Raptors’ first training camp in Montreal and its second in Quebec after gearing up for the 2019-20 season in Quebec City.

“Montreal’s passion and enthusiasm for basketball and the Raptors is undeniable,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković said in a statement.

“We’re looking forward to spending the week in such a beautiful place and soaking up the atmosphere and culture of the city. This is an important week of basketball for our team and UQAM offers us a great facility as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

To wrap up the week in Montreal, Toronto hosts the Washington Wizards on Oct. 6 at the Bell Centre as part of this year’s NBA Canada Series.

The Raptors also revealed the remainder of their five-game pre-season schedule.

Toronto visits Washington on Oct. 11 followed by a home-and-home against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 13. (in Boston) and Oct. 15 (in Toronto) before flying to Brooklyn on Oct. 18 for a pre-season final against the Nets.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2024.

OG Anunoby trade was still right move for Knicks even with RJ Barrett surge

Seven months ago today, the New York Knicks sent RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Raptors for OG Anunoby. Many initially said the Raptors fleeced the Knicks, but that belief changed when Anunoby was inserted into New York’s lineup. The Knicks were the hottest team in the league in January before the injuries started to pile up.

Anunoby’s a far superior off-ball player and helps space the floor better than Barrett, which helped open New York’s offense up. Julius Randle benefitted significantly from Anunoby’s presence.

Barrett was given a bigger offensive role in Toronto and averaged 21.8 points per game on 55.3% shooting from the field and 39.2% from three to close the season. Quickley became the Raptors’ starting point guard (something that would never happen in New York) and averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 assists on 42.2% shooting from the field and 39.5% from deep.

So far, the trade’s a win-win. The Knicks have one of the best defensive players in the league, who they re-signed to a five-year contract this summer. Barrett’s back home in Toronto, where he’s thrived. Quickley signed a five-year contract to stay with the Raptors.

RJ Barrett’s Olympics dominance doesn’t mean Knicks were wrong to trade him

Barrett is representing Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He’s done so well in Canada’s first two games (both wins) that he’s currently the Olympics MVP.