Shortly after Nick Nurse met with the media on Monday’s Raptors report, the Toronto club coach was planning to speak with team president Masai Ujiri.
They were planning to review the season and look at questions like: Can Nurse do better as a coach? Can players give more? What elements are the club missing?
Nurse has also completely dismissed rumors sending him to manage the Los Angeles Lakers. “I don’t know where this stuff comes from,” he said. I’m concentrating on coaching this team. »
Nurse has two more years to go to a pact made in the fall of 2020.
Nurse met with the media for 40 minutes, four days after the six-game elimination against the Sixers in the first round.
A season of low expectations still turned out well — “excellent,” Nurse said. A young brigade overcame injuries and pandemic-related stints, finishing fifth in the East.
The Raptors have picked up their fair share of big wins — largely through a blue-collar mentality, a legacy notably from Kyle Lowry, who moved to the Miami Heat.
Nurse is looking forward to getting back to work with Ujiri, aiming for 2022-23. “I’m ready to get back in the race [pour aspirer au championnat], said Nurse. I do this job to be a winner. Masai and I have a great relationship: we share the same goal, to win a title.
“The question is, how do we get there? I have the feeling that he works there every day, like me. Having this same goal is very important to me. »
Barnes, a decisive addition
Montrealer Chris Boucher will gain autonomy. At the draft level, Toronto will only have the 33and choice next month.
A group assembled around Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam signed 48 wins, including several in the second half of the season.
Scottie Barnes was NBA Rookie of the Year; other young players also shone, such as Gary Trent and Precious Achiuwa.
“Sometimes you’re not sure what it’s going to be like when you have all these new faces,” Nurse said. Taking advantage of our tall players, deflecting passes, grabbing offensive rebounds, being versatile and mobile on defense — that was kind of our vision this season. »
Nurse praised Barnes, drafted fourth last year. “I spoke to his trainer [avec Florida State, Leonard Hamilton] and he had so many great things to say about him — his love of the game, his personality, what a great teammate he is. I have seen how true this is. »
The 20-year-old Barnes averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. In the playoffs, he backed up Siakam as point guard when VanVleet missed two games with a hip injury.
Nurse said he had very few typical moments for such a young player.
“Here and there but often, he corrected that brilliantly before the end of the match. He was great. He has a very bright future. His personality shines, and he really enjoys being part of the Toronto Raptors. It’s no wonder so many people love Scottie. »
Siakam has also been excellent, coming back to himself after a low that started in the bubble, and after overcoming a lackluster start to the season, following shoulder surgery. His leadership was praised by Nurse and his teammates.
“It surprised me a lot this season that he had a game of 43 minutes, 30 points and 10 rebounds and the next day he was in the gym at 8:00 in the morning. I was tired of it just watching him go,” Nurse said with a smile.
Ujiri will meet the media Tuesday morning at the Raptors’ training facility.