Alex Wong @ Raptors Show Appreciation Thread

[DelAbbot]

live look at NinjaBro over this news

[ItsDanger]

Alex is a legend and will be missed. Just a few years ago it would be crazy to have thought that the Raptors could have a daily 2 hour show on the Fan. We used to have to suffer through puck heads like Bob McCown - but here we are and a lot of that is due to Alex and Will.

It is also interesting to see the difference in reaction to this news between here and Reddit - where people here seem to be kind of glad he is moving on, and on Reddit there is much more sadness. My sense is there is not only an age and demographic difference between here and Reddit, but that difference also contributes to how much people enjoyed his commentary.

Alex and Will brought a distinctively young, immigrant, and person of colour perspective to their analysis, banter, and humour - all of which made their dynamic and show so great and unique. I don't think that always worked well with the primarily older and white demographic of those who consume radio shows. There is definitely some dog whistling going on with the way people are describing why they are so glad he is gone.

"Puckhead" McCown called the OG trade a year ago. Put some respect on his name. Dog whistling? WTF.

[DelAbbot]

Alex is a legend and will be missed. Just a few years ago it would be crazy to have thought that the Raptors could have a daily 2 hour show on the Fan. We used to have to suffer through puck heads like Bob McCown - but here we are and a lot of that is due to Alex and Will.

It is also interesting to see the difference in reaction to this news between here and Reddit - where people here seem to be kind of glad he is moving on, and on Reddit there is much more sadness. My sense is there is not only an age and demographic difference between here and Reddit, but that difference also contributes to how much people enjoyed his commentary.

Alex and Will brought a distinctively young, immigrant, and person of colour perspective to their analysis, banter, and humour - all of which made their dynamic and show so great and unique. I don't think that always worked well with the primarily older and white demographic of those who consume radio shows. There is definitely some dog whistling going on with the way people are describing why they are so glad he is gone.

"Puckhead" McCown called the OG trade a year ago. Put some respect on his name. Dog whistling? WTF.

"person of colour perspective" wtf ?

[And1Skip]

Alex is a legend and will be missed. Just a few years ago it would be crazy to have thought that the Raptors could have a daily 2 hour show on the Fan. We used to have to suffer through puck heads like Bob McCown - but here we are and a lot of that is due to Alex and Will.

It is also interesting to see the difference in reaction to this news between here and Reddit - where people here seem to be kind of glad he is moving on, and on Reddit there is much more sadness. My sense is there is not only an age and demographic difference between here and Reddit, but that difference also contributes to how much people enjoyed his commentary.

Alex and Will brought a distinctively young, immigrant, and person of colour perspective to their analysis, banter, and humour - all of which made their dynamic and show so great and unique. I don't think that always worked well with the primarily older and white demographic of those who consume radio shows. There is definitely some dog whistling going on with the way people are describing why they are so glad he is gone.

I think if someone did a poll here on RealGM on the demographics of this board, you'll find it's just as diverse. I'm not "glad that he's gone" - I just don't find Alex worth listening/watching to. I appreciate the representation as I'm asian myself, but find a lot of the jokes lame (like I knew that, etc) and feel it could be a bit awkward to those that don't understand them. The promotion of CCYAA was good but that can be done with Will and Blake.

And Bob McCown is not a puckhead. He hates hockey with a passion though I don't appreciate his views on basketball either. Yeah he wanted OG gone, but it was because he said OG was a bad shooter LOL.

[shots n stops]

Amazing news!

Alex is simply an insufferable, insanely annoying on air personality. This guy had no business being on the mic for a considerably large show, providing zero insight or analysis: just the most unfunny jokes, everything of course being hysterically funny including his own lame jokes, constantly interrupting with absolutely nothing worthwhile nor interesting. His contributions were always very basic fan level stuff (or self-indulgent).

He was pretty bad, especially with that laugh

If it wasn't for blake that show was going to get cancelled

His laugh is the equivalent to nails on a chalkboard. With the addition of Blake (a brilliant move which vastly improved the show), Alex's role was significantly reduced, which was a welcome change, but this is tremendous.

This!

[720]

Gonna miss the guy, Will Lou’s show is the only raptors weekly/daily content that felt like you were listening to a couple friends analyze but also joke around about the raptors and the NBA. For people that wanted a more serious show you have multiple other options (Samson Folk for example), but for people that liked Alex and what he brought, there are no other options now. Hopefully Will can still be himself and joke around even if Wong is gone.

[C Court]

Alex and Will brought a distinctively young, immigrant, and person of colour perspective to their analysis, banter, and humour - all of which made their dynamic and show so great and unique. I don't think that always worked well with the primarily older and white demographic of those who consume radio shows. There is definitely some dog whistling going on with the way people are describing why they are so glad he is gone.

Old white guy here who really enjoyed the young immigrant POC perspective and the resulting banter. The self-depricating humour from Alex and Will was some of the funniest stuff on radio. I will miss that most with Alex's departure.

That said, I agree that some in my demographic may view it differently. But we aren't the primary target audience any longer.

[ebo]

Alex is a legend and will be missed. Just a few years ago it would be crazy to have thought that the Raptors could have a daily 2 hour show on the Fan. We used to have to suffer through puck heads like Bob McCown - but here we are and a lot of that is due to Alex and Will.

It is also interesting to see the difference in reaction to this news between here and Reddit - where people here seem to be kind of glad he is moving on, and on Reddit there is much more sadness. My sense is there is not only an age and demographic difference between here and Reddit, but that difference also contributes to how much people enjoyed his commentary.

Alex and Will brought a distinctively young, immigrant, and person of colour perspective to their analysis, banter, and humour - all of which made their dynamic and show so great and unique. I don't think that always worked well with the primarily older and white demographic of those who consume radio shows. There is definitely some dog whistling going on with the way people are describing why they are so glad he is gone.

I think if someone did a poll here on RealGM on the demographics of this board, you'll find it's just as diverse. I'm not "glad that he's gone" - I just don't find Alex worth listening/watching to. I appreciate the representation as I'm asian myself, but find a lot of the jokes lame (like I knew that, etc) and feel it could be a bit awkward to those that don't understand them. The promotion of CCYAA was good but that can be done with Will and Blake.

And Bob McCown is not a puckhead. He hates hockey with a passion though I don't appreciate his views on basketball either. Yeah he wanted OG gone, but it was because he said OG was a bad shooter LOL.

Fair enough, and everyone should have their opinion. I think your point about jokes being awkward to those that don't "get them", is kind of my point as well.

His humour, both on radio and Twitter, is not targeted at the typical hockey and baseball listeners on the Fan - and that seems to generate a really strong negative reaction from some of those people who are used to media being targeted directly for them (and probably don't know what things like Black Twitter are). I personally think he was hilarious, and was a breath of fresh air on the Fan. We need lots of different types of cultural humour represented.

[___Rand___]

I admit to not watching the show all that much but appreciated Alex's presence when I did. Good luck in your future endeavours Alex.

[Sandman88]

Best of luck Alex, will miss your corny ass jokes and banter with William

[Loyal_Canuck]

Going to miss Alex! It’s going to be difficult watching Will Lou without his release valve in Alex Wong

[InfraRedshaw]

bleh this sucks, GL Alex!

[ForeverTFC]

I always wondered who Alex’s audience was though never thought I would find it here. I couldn’t listen to him.

Also, I hope that Will Lou continues to grow his knowledge of the game and becomes a more professional voice. Blake was a great addition to the show, but we need a guy 100% dedicated to the team and Blake will always have baseball.

[WaltFrazier]

Watching now. Alex says something trying to be funny, Will gives a big laugh, Blake in the middle of 3 screens smiles weakly. It looks awkward because Will and Alex have a constant inside joke thing going, which isn't funny btw, and Blake isn't part of that.

[Mr Funk]

His humour, both on radio and Twitter, is not targeted at the typical hockey and baseball listeners on the Fan - and that seems to generate a really strong negative reaction from some of those people who are used to media being targeted directly for them (and probably don't know what things like Black Twitter are). I personally think he was hilarious, and was a breath of fresh air on the Fan. We need lots of different types of cultural humour represented.

Very presumptuous to assume that people who don't like Alex are xenophobic chuds. I can't stand hockey and baseball. Puckhead culture is pretty gross, overly reactionary etc. I don't listen to the Fan or sports radio in general. Just basketball media and podcasts, moreso on the analytical side. I recognize that Alex is a successful writer, but he was a horrible on air personality.

[JJWong17]

Who comes into an appreciation thread just to slag on the person? Some of you are absolutely miserable

I'll miss the banter and I wish Alex good luck wherever he goes next!

[C Court]

Who comes into an appreciation thread just to slag on the person? Some of you are absolutely miserable

It's how people tell on themselves. It's actually sad.

[WaltFrazier]

They brought out a surprising fact just now. Boucher is 6 months older than Otto.

[Yeezus_]

They need to give this show to Blake. Will never provides new insight for the audience who actually listens to this podcast.

[Harold_and_Kumar]

I disagree with most in that I really enjoyed that Alex brought personality to the show. I think Blake is great at what he does and I also enjoy listening to him, but I worry that he and Will don't have the charisma to carry a show that casuals will listen to. Also, I don't need my analysis dry and stats-driven at all times. I wish Alex the best and I'll follow his career!