The Toronto Raptors are riding their longest winning streak in franchise history and they have a chance to extend it in Brooklyn on Wednesday night against the Nets.
Earlier in the day, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse was a guest on Pardon the Interruption and discussed his team’s surprising success post-Kawhi Leonard, which player has made the biggest difference all around for the team this season, and much more.
“Well we got a lot of practice last year. I think we played 22 games without him last year and had a 17-5 record, so we knew we could play ok. Last year was a little bit of a test run, but I think a lot of the guys have improved,” said Nurse.
“Pascal Siakam has taken a step up. Fred VanVleet has taken a step up. Serge Ibaka’s a step up. OG Anunoby’s reinserted, he almost missed last year because of various reasons. Guys are getting better and they believe in themselves.”
Nurse was also asked if he could choose one thing that’s been a big difference this season compared to last, and after saying it’s been the improvement on defence, he went on to praise Kyle Lowry.
“We can play a lot of different styles of defence and we really read coverages, but if I had to pick a player I’d say Lowry. I think Kyle Lowry, I know it’s his 6th All-Star, but he does things that’s all about winning. I’ve never seen a guy play harder on the court than this guy and he continues to do it night after night and it rubs off on the rest of the guys.”
Of course, with all of the scarf talk surrounding the Raptors as of late, they couldn’t let him go without bringing of the latest team trend.
