Hello and Welcome

The Nation Network

A Raptors and NBA podcast with Will Lou & Alex Wong

  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    React Pod: Don't take RJ Barrett for granted, and can the NBA could copy the NHL's all-star format?

    Host Will Lou goes live to discuss the Toronto Raptors' 120-111 OT loss to the Miami Heat. He breaks down RJ Barrett's clutch scoring, and why this was a perfect tank loss that will set the tone for the rest of the season.


    Then, Alex Wong and Jerome Cheng join the show to discuss the NHL's 4 Nation's Face-Off format, and banter about their favorite hockey moments.


    #nba #raptors #nhl


    Three stars: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Orlando Robinson

    Gerald Henderson award: Davion Mitchell


    Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys [email protected]


    Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link.


    Original Music by DIVISION 88.


    Hello and Welcome is presented by Betway. https://betway.ca

    Only Available In Ontario, must be 19+. Please play responsibly.


    Download the Betway app: https://betway.onelink.me/3010529547/...


    Tangerine: www.tangerine.ca


    Reach out to [email protected] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 February 2025, 4:51 am
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    What the NBA needs to change after underwhelming 2025 All-Star Weekend

    Will and Alex go live from San Francisco to break down what the NBA needs to change after a thoroughly underwhelming 2025 All-Star Weekend. They explain that the entire All-Star Weekend process is not focused on basketball, and that there are simply too many distractions to make the actual game and events meaningful.


    They also offer changes that they want to see in future All-Star Weekends, and then take you behind the scenes of what it's like to be at an invite-only NBA party.


    Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys [email protected]


    Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link.


    Original Music by DIVISION 88.


    Hello and Welcome is presented by Betway. https://betway.ca

    - Only Available In Ontario, must be 19+. Please play responsibly.


    Download the Betway app: https://betway.onelink.me/3010529547/0mx1y6wb


    Tangerine: www.tangerine.ca

    Greta Bar YYZ: https://www.gretabar.com/locations/toronto


    Reach out to [email protected] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!


    IG:

    Presen ted by @betwaycanada 


    #BetTheResponsibleWay #BetwayCanada (ON only must be 19+ to play) 


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 February 2025, 8:09 am
  • 22 minutes 37 seconds
    ASW Day 2: Mac McClung Rescues the Dunk Contest (again), Pascal revisits 2019 at Oracle
    Will and Alex break down All-Star Saturday Night from Chase Center, highlighting Mac McClung’s jaw-dropping dunk contest performance and why NBA stars continue to avoid challenging him. They also discuss Steph Curry’s absence from the three-point shootout, Gelo’s live performance, Chris Paul’s questionable tactics in the Skills Challenge, and Will’s first trip back to Oracle Arena since the 2019 championship run.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 February 2025, 4:52 am
  • 15 minutes 1 second
    ASW day 1: Gradey Dick gets no help, hanging with Masai, Zach Edey’s favorite dim sum item
    Will and Alex are live from Chase Center in San Francisco, breaking down Gradey Dick’s standout Rising Stars performance, rooting for Team G-League, Red Panda’s legendary act, hanging out with Masai, chatting with Zach Edey about Yao Ming and dim sum, and behind-the-scenes stories from All-Star Weekend.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 February 2025, 6:03 am
  • 52 minutes 1 second
    Why Did Vince Carter Wear AND1 at the 2000 Dunk Contest
    25 years ago, Vince Carter delivered the greatest performance in NBA dunk contest history. But one question remains: why did he wear AND1 sneakers that night? Alex and Jerome search for answers, speaking with former AND1 marketing director Jeff Roth, sneaker experts Russ Bengtson and Nick DePaula, Josh Roter of In Vintage We Trust, and GQ’s Yang-Yi Goh. They reveal the behind-the-scene story of the 2000 dunk contest, Carter’s sneaker legacy, and more.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 February 2025, 11:00 am
  • 7 minutes 42 seconds
    Norman Powell reacts to his iconic Toronto Raptors moments: "I wanted to be there my whole career"

    THE FAMED NORMAN POWELL INTERVIEW IS FINALLY HERE. Will Lou catches up with the beloved former Toronto Raptors guard to get the story behind some of the most iconic plays of his time with the Raptors.


    From unforgettably clutch dunks to hilarious team chemistry moments, Norman Powell fondly looks back at his time in Toronto, a place where he thought he would spend his entire career.


    #raptors #nba #torontoraptors #raptors #normanpowell #laclippers #kawhileonard #fredvanvleet #pascalsiakam


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 February 2025, 9:56 pm
  • 32 minutes 36 seconds
    React Pod: Tristan Thompson sparks needless scuffle in Cavaliers' blowout over Raptors

    An exhausted Will Lou recaps the Toronto Raptors' 131-108 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He breaks down RJ Barrett's encouraging return to the lineup, the continued emergence of the 2024 Raptors rookie class, and then breaks down Tristan Thompson being needlessly extra, again. Then, he shares takeaways from Bobby Webster and Brandon Ingram's introductory press conference.


    Three stars: RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jamison Battle

    Gerald Henderson award: Tristan Thompson


    Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys [email protected]


    Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link.


    Original Music by DIVISION 88.


    Hello and Welcome is presented by Betway. https://betway.ca

    Only Available In Ontario, must be 19+. Please play responsibly.


    Download the Betway app: https://betway.onelink.me/3010529547/...


    Tangerine: www.tangerine.ca


    Reach out to [email protected] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 February 2025, 8:31 am
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    React Pod: Scottie Barnes silences doubters in win vs. 76ers, Brandon Ingram extends at 3/$120M

    Will Lou and Alex Wong provide live coverage of the Toronto Raptors' 106-103 win over the lifeless Philadelphia 76ers, then discuss the 3-year, $120M extension for Brandon Ingram. Will breaks down the dominant showing by Scottie Barnes, his post-game response to Matt Bonner's criticism, and the continued re-emergence of Immanuel Quickley.


    Then, Alex joins the show to break down Brandon Ingram signing a 3-year, $120-million extension, and wonders if the Sixers have two of the worst contracts in the league between Paul George and Joel Embiid.


    Three stars: Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick

    Gerald Henderson award: Jared Butler


    #raptors #torontoraptors #sixers #nba


    Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys [email protected]


    Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link.


    Original Music by DIVISION 88.


    Hello and Welcome is presented by Betway. https://betway.ca

    Only Available In Ontario, must be 19+. Please play responsibly.


    Download the Betway app: https://betway.onelink.me/3010529547/...


    Tangerine: www.tangerine.ca


    Reach out to [email protected] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 February 2025, 5:06 am
  • 41 minutes 17 seconds
    React Pod: IQ finds his offense, but Scottie Barnes continues to struggle from 3 in loss to Rockets

    Will Lou reacts to the Toronto Raptors' 94-87 loss to the Houston Rockets. He breaks down the level of physicality in this game, Scottie Barnes' continued struggles on offense, and Immanuel Quickley finding his shot.


    Three stars: Jamal Shead, Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji

    Gerald Henderson award: Jeff Green


    #raptors #torontoraptors #jimmybutler #goldenstatewarriors


    Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys [email protected]


    Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link.


    Original Music by DIVISION 88.


    Hello and Welcome is presented by Betway. https://betway.ca

    Only Available In Ontario, must be 19+. Please play responsibly.


    Download the Betway app: https://betway.onelink.me/3010529547/...


    Tangerine: www.tangerine.ca


    Reach out to [email protected] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 February 2025, 10:31 pm
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    React Pod: Raptors overwhelmed by OKC, Bobby Webster explains Ingram trade, Battle gets new deal

    Will Lou and Alex Wong react to the Toronto Raptors' 121-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, then discuss what Raptors GM Bobby Webster had to say about the Brandon Ingram trade. We also workshop nickname ideas for Ingram, and Teddy Long makes a surprise entrance.


    Three stars: Gradey Dick, Ja'Kobe Walter, Chris Boucher

    Gerald Henderson award: Alex Caruso


    #raptors #torontoraptors #jimmybutler #goldenstatewarriors


    Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys [email protected]


    Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link.


    Original Music by DIVISION 88.


    Hello and Welcome is presented by Betway. https://betway.ca

    Only Available In Ontario, must be 19+. Please play responsibly.


    Download the Betway app: https://betway.onelink.me/3010529547/...


    Tangerine: www.tangerine.ca


    Reach out to [email protected] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 February 2025, 5:09 am
  • 55 minutes 43 seconds
    Trade deadline: Raptors trade Davion Mitchell, Chris Boucher remains, and Brandon Ingram's fit

    Will Lou and Alex Wong react live to the last hour of the NBA trade deadline from NBA Courtside Restaurant. They discuss the Toronto Raptors trading Davion Mitchell to Miami Heat, Chris Boucher surviving another trade deadline, and grade minor trades.


    #raptors #torontoraptors #nba #tradedeadline


    Reach out to the show by leaving a voicemail at hellowelcome.show or email the guys [email protected]


    Check out our merch! Visit hellowelcome.show and click on the merch link.


    Original Music by DIVISION 88.


    Hello and Welcome is presented by Betway. https://betway.ca

    Only Available In Ontario, must be 19+. Please play responsibly.


    Download the Betway app: https://betway.onelink.me/3010529547/...


    Tangerine: www.tangerine.ca


    Reach out to [email protected] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 February 2025, 11:04 pm
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