Inside the Raptors’ Midseason Shift: How Brandon Ingram Sparked a Turnaround — And What Doug Smith Says About the Team’s Biggest Questions
As the Toronto Raptors hit the crucial 20-game mark of the NBA season, the conversation around the team has quickly shifted from worry to optimism. Two weeks ago, the Raptors were struggling to find rhythm and identity. Now, with several impressive wins and a renewed sense of cohesion, fans are beginning to wonder whether this team has finally discovered its formula for long-term success.
Veteran columnist Doug Smith’s latest mailbag offers a deep dive into many of the questions swirling around Raptors Nation — from Brandon Ingram’s impact and rotation concerns to the much-discussed water bottle incident and the state of scouting across the league. Beyond the basketball concerns, readers also raised broader issues, including the influence of sports gambling and the surprising culture that fueled the Toronto Blue Jays’ memorable season.
This feature unpacks those themes — and highlights Smith’s candid insights — as Toronto enters one of the most important stretches of the year.
The Changing Landscape of Sports Fandom
How Sports Gambling Has Altered the Fan Experience
A recurring theme among fans is how sports gambling has reshaped the emotional connection between supporters and their local teams. One reader expressed discomfort with the increasingly prominent role of sports betting, its integration into broadcasts, and its potential impact on the integrity of the game.
Smith acknowledges the concern. While he agrees that certain alarmist narratives overstate the long-term damage, he also emphasizes that the risks surrounding gambling scandals are real — and growing. Prop bets, in particular, remain a major vulnerability. According to Smith, as long as individual-player wagers are widely accessible, scandals will continue to pop up and erode trust in the system.
Despite this, he cautions against blowing minor incidents out of proportion, arguing that excessive outrage over small matters can distract from the truly dangerous issues.
How the Blue Jays Built One of the Most Cohesive Teams in Franchise History
A Culture Unlike Anything Seen Before
Beyond basketball, readers also asked Smith about the Toronto Blue Jays’ unlikely surge this past season — a year defined by remarkable chemistry and internal leadership.
From Smith’s vantage point, this Blue Jays squad may have been one of the most connected groups he has ever observed in professional sports. Much of that unity, he says, stems from manager John Schneider’s calm, steady livelihood. Schneider allowed players to be themselves, avoided overreactions during highs and lows, and created a space where veterans and younger players could bond naturally over the course of a long season.
He also credits established leaders like Max Scherzer, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Andrés Giménez, all of whom sacrificed ego to elevate the group. That humility trickled down to the entire roster. In Smith’s view, the combination of maturity, leadership and a grounded clubhouse environment created a cultural dynamic that will be difficult — perhaps impossible — to replicate.
Raptors at 20 Games: What’s Driving the Turnaround?
Is Brandon Ingram the Missing Piece?
The biggest question in Raptors land right now: What exactly has changed?
According to Smith, one factor stands above the rest — the arrival of Brandon Ingram.
While the team saw improvements across the board, including Jakob Poeltl’s return to reliable form, Ingram’s playmaking and scoring versatility have fundamentally reshaped Toronto’s offensive flow. His presence has given Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley more room to operate, unlocking different angles and combinations that were simply unavailable earlier in the season.
Smith suggests that Ingram is not just an addition — he is the central driver of the Raptors’ newfound success.
The Sky Was Falling… Until It Wasn’t
Two weeks ago, Toronto’s season seemed imperiled. Today, fans are cautiously optimistic. Smith stresses the importance of evaluating teams after the 20-game threshold, a milestone historically seen as a reliable sample size for identifying trends. With the Raptors approaching that benchmark, the signs are encouraging.
Water Bottle Controversy: A Non-Story?
One fan raised questions about the so-called “water bottle incident,” where a player’s frustrated toss splashed a nearby official.
Smith’s take? It was nothing more than an accidental, heat-of-the-moment lapse.
He insists the reaction to the incident has been wildly exaggerated. An immediate apology was made, no harm was intended and everyone involved moved on. Smith likens it to a baseball manager flipping the post-game buffet table — not ideal, but certainly not scandalous.
How Far Can the Celtics Go?
Is a Midseason Trade the Answer?
While the Raptors continue trending upward, the Boston Celtics are hovering around the .500 mark, raising questions about their postseason outlook. Some fans speculate that a trade deadline move might position them for a deeper playoff push.
Smith, however, is not convinced.
From what he hears, Boston is content with taking what he calls a “financial gap year.” Translation: Do not expect splashy moves, even if the team remains inconsistent through February. Their priorities, for now, appear focused on long-term flexibility rather than immediate contention.
The Raptors’ Rotation Challenge
Who Should Solidify the Bench?
Another major question revolves around Toronto’s bench picture. With Jamal Shead, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles emerging as the primary reserves, the battle for remaining minutes has intensified.
Players like Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and Ja’Kobe Walter are all vying for consistent roles, though none have fully cemented their place.
Smith believes Dick has now established himself as the most reliable option of the group. If he were to choose one player to expand the bench rotation further, he leans toward Jamison Battle — a pure shooter whose scoring ability could bolster Toronto’s second unit.
The Dream Addition?
As a bonus exercise, Smith entertained one question about a hypothetical player addition.
While some fans dream about inserting Anthony Davis into the Raptors lineup, Smith disagrees. For him, the perfect fit — even as an off-the-bench luxury — would be Lauri Markkanen, whose shooting and size could seamlessly complement Toronto’s core.
Assessing Luka Doncic’s Defensive Effort
A reader wondered whether Luka Doncic’s slimmer frame had improved his defensive impact with the Lakers.
Smith says he hasn’t noticed any significant defensive leap. The Lakers, sitting around 21st in defensive rating, remain shaky on that end. With LeBron James expected to return and stabilize the back line, minor improvements may come — but Smith does not foresee a dramatic transformation.
Behind the Scenes: How Strong Is Toronto’s Scouting Department?
Has the Raptors’ Draft Strategy Lost Its Magic?
Toronto has long been praised for uncovering hidden gems — from Pascal Siakam to OG Anunoby. But some fans believe the last few drafts have yielded more misses than hits.
Smith pushes back.
According to him, the Raptors’ scouting department remains largely unchanged in size and structure, operating under assistant GM Dan Tolzman. He argues that recent criticism overlooks Toronto’s strong undrafted finds like Jamal Shead and Jamison Battle, and that it is far too early to judge the 2024 class.
The reality, he says, is simple: the NBA draft is fundamentally unpredictable. Every team misses more often than it hits. Toronto, in his assessment, continues to sit comfortably in the league’s upper-middle tier when it comes to identifying talent.
Conclusion: A Team Finding Its Identity
As the Raptors approach the 20-game mark, their season feels dramatically different than it did just weeks ago. Brandon Ingram’s influence has unlocked new possibilities, the bench is beginning to take shape, and the team appears to be gaining confidence at the right time.
While questions remain about rotation structure, defensive consistency and long-term development, the early signs point to a team moving in the right direction — and a fan base rediscovering its sense of optimism.