If other NBA teams are eyeing Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, “then they can keep dreaming,” his boss, Masai Ujiri, said.
Ujiri took part in his traditional end-of-season review Tuesday, and the Raptors president laughed when asked if he’s had any calls from other teams interested in signing Nurse. The latter is the subject of many rumors that link him to the Los Angeles Lakers, after they fired head coach Frank Vogel.
“No team has approached me, and I read the same rumors as you. I dream, like them. I dream of Messi. From Ronaldo. I dream of [feu]Kobe Bryant. They can continue to dream. I dream, too,” Ujiri joked.
Nurse said Monday that his priority was to lead the Raptors. Just days after the Torontonians were eliminated in Game 6 of the East’s first round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Nurse and Ujiri were already back to work for next season.
After the pitiful season in Tampa last year, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and the relaunch this season, the expectations of many are clear: to win.
Ujiri was asked how to integrate the different personalities within the team, from the serious Fred VanVleet to the relaxed Scottie Barnes, who is known for his friendly hugs. Never mind. Everything points to one goal.
“There is nothing but victory, assured Ujiri. We can shake hands, hug, wear masks, whatever, OK, we have to win. Empty auditoriums, packed auditoriums, you have to win. It is this profile of players that we are looking for. »
“Yeah, it’s the playoffs, but big wins, a championship, that’s what we want. When we met Scottie, he said 100 times that he wanted to win. I just met Freddy a few days ago, and he wants to win. Winning, winning, winning is all that comes out of their mouths,” Ujiri concluded.