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Toronto Raptor Pascal Siakam and his head coach, Nick Nurse reportedly had an intense, verbal situation. The primary source of Siakam being upset is the team's losing streak and not related to his relationship with Nurse, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN. Further, Siakam has a sense that he is being singled out for the losses, as shown in his benching in the fourth quarter of recent games.
The relationship between Siakam and Nurse remains solid, I'm told, but Pascal's frustrations stem from the losing streak – as you would expect – and a feeling that he's being singled out for it with recent 4th-quarter benchings (in Miami last month, pre COVID, and in Cleveland).
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) March 23, 2021
As the Raptors fell to the lowly Houston Rockets last Monday, they now own the longest losing streak in the league at nine. The team's last win was back on February 26, which ironically, was against the Rockets.
While Toronto was not expected to be a contender this season, few expected them to be performing this poorly. They are currently in the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference with a 17-26 record. On paper, this team should make the playoffs, as they have Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby, and a hot-shooting Norman Powell.
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However, the roster has been rocked with injuries and health issues to their key players, Siakam included. Also, the team has a hole in the center position. 34-year old Aron Baynes is limited and although Chris Boucher regularly swats shots, a 200-pounder can handle only so much inside the paint and is still quite raw.
Trade rumors speculate that Lowry and Powell will be traded before the deadline. If these come to fruition, then the bottom of the Raptors will most likely fall out. Lowry is the heart and soul of the team and plays hard on both ends of the court. While Powell's form from outside has helped keep the offense afloat.
