I try not to navelgaze (prefer shoegaze) much with sports media, but before the playoffs start, a note of appreciation for just how deep, talented, and diverse the group of people covering the Raptors is. And that goes well beyond the traditional beat (who that holds for, too).

Playoffs are always a great time for @raptorsrepublic, from @LouisZatzman and @Howevolution, to the podcast work of @samfolkk, the video work of @JustEsBaraheni, to the player evaluation of @robeltussin, and @kelsea_lately telling you the Next One before they pop. List goes on.

The work @vivekmjacob has been doing at RR and elsewhere is benchmark-level stuff. Nobody touches the intersection of sport, culture, and emotion like @wtevs. The @dishesdimespod is such a welcome addition to Raps media this year. @woodleysean's daily pods are fun & smart.

I can't begin to figure how deep the well of @steven_lebron's creativity runs. I could give you 10 things I love about @william_lou. @MR_STiXX is all over the Raps vids you share around to get fired up.

I'll miss names here, like the bulk of RR team lumped as one (+HQ, even Reynolds), or leaders on the beat like Kayla and Donnovan who deserve additional recognition, or the important people of Raps Twitter. Apologies to those I didn't @. You're all noticed & appreciated.