Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Nurse: Champion Raptors haven't reached ceiling

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Saturday, 01 August 2020 23:16

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Toronto Raptors have spent their entire season as the NBA's defending champions saying that they feel confident, despite Kawhi Leonard leaving the franchise last summer, that they can win a second consecutive title this season.

So, after winning their opening game inside the NBA's bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, do the Raptors think anyone is listening? Toronto coach Nick Nurse said he isn't convinced -- and isn't too concerned either way.

"Yeah, maybe," Nurse said after his Raptors won 107-92 in the final game played Saturday night. "I don't think anybody's going to pay much attention, they don't ever seem to, but it's OK.

"Seriously man, we love to play the games and we like to compete, we know we're tough to beat, we really do, and I think there's a ceiling we can get to yet."

If there's a higher ceiling for the Raptors after this one, it will be because Toronto shot just 41.7% overall from the field and committed 14 turnovers.

What it won't come from is better play on the defensive end. The Raptors were suffocating on that end, holding the Lakers to a dismal 35.4% from the field overall, and to just 25% (10-for-40) from 3-point range.

James led the Lakers with 20 points, but had 5 assists, 4 turnovers and was minus-20 for the game. Forward Anthony Davis, meanwhile, had 14 points and shot just 2-for-7.

"I think I remember one timeout looking down, coming out sometime in the second quarter, and I looked down and I said, 'Jeez, we're shooting 30% and we're winning,'" Nurse said. "And that's kinda what good defense is supposed to do, get you through some of those moments."

Getting through those moments is easier when a team's point guard excels, as All-Star Kyle Lowry did Saturday night, finishing with a line of 33 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. He did it all with his usual reckless abandon for his own well-being, too, constantly throwing his body around at both ends of the court.

He also said he was moved by having the ability to protest by kneeling during the national anthems of both the United States and Canada before the game.

"We just want to go play," said Lowry, one of the players who was most actively involved in talks with NBA commissioner Adam Silver to get the entire bubble project off the ground. "Some guys are down here for different things, our job is to be professional basketball players. But also we want to send [a] message, uplift the Black Americans that's out there, Black people around the world and that's our job, to do that.

"That's what we're doing, we're trying to win games and keep our messages and momentum going."

The Raptors entered the bubble in the same sort of space -- as an afterthought in the NBA's title race -- that they have occupied all season. The Lakers, LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks have been hailed as the consensus title favorites, with the Raptors relegated to those in the category of "others receiving votes." No small part of that calculus is because the Raptors don't have that one superstar -- be it James, Leonard or Giannis Antetokounmpo -- that most title contenders typically do.

But after seeing a team full of championship experience, long, athletic defenders and multiple players capable of scoring 30-plus points in any given game, count one person among those thinking that there is at least one more team that deserves to be part of that championship conversation: James himself.

"That's a great team," James said afterward. "No ifs, ands or buts. Exceptionally well coached and championship DNA, you can never take that away from a ballclub if you win a championship. And even before that, they just got playoff-tested guys. Guys that played not only here in the NBA in big games, but also in FIBA games as well. Marc [Gasol] has been in big games throughout his whole life pretty much it seems like.

"So, that's just a great team. The media may not talk about them much or give them much credit because Kawhi is gone, but players in the league definitely know what type of team they are."

Read 402 times

Soccer

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

EmailPrintUnited States women's national team midfielder Korbin Albert apologized on Thursday for pr...

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

EmailPrintLeicester City manager Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position after an internal...

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe agent of Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has criticised the...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will not play again this season...

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

EmailPrintFormer G League player Chance Comanche, who was charged with the murder of a woman whose b...

Baseball

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- That Juan Soto's first signature Yankee moment happened...

Ohtani welcomed, helps Betts, Freeman drive win

Ohtani welcomed, helps Betts, Freeman drive win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani was pleased with the quality of his at...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated