The Toronto Raptors are in a state of flux after the turnover that occurred in the offseason. Nick Nurse is hoping that he can promote a loose atmosphere this season according to Seerat Sohi of SB Nation. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the team, Nurse is giving his players the freedom to play fast and loose.
“It’s more push the pace, get more looks from the perimeter,” Danny Green told Sohi. “You don’t have to hold back as much if you’re me, second guessing which shots I should or shouldn’t take.”
Nurse is in a really tough position, but one any coach would envy. He's taking over a very talented team with a superstar talent like Kawhi Leonard. The tricky part for Nurse is figuring out how to incorporate Kawhi into the team. It's not always easy to develop chemistry and the clock is already ticking on Nurse and the Raptors. A poor showing from Toronto this season would not help them retain Leonard long-term.
Additionally, the Raptors were the best team in the Eastern Conference last season. They flamed out in the playoffs as they always have and that's what ultimately decided Dwane Casey's fate. The expectations for Nurse are high. A deep run into the playoffs is certainly the primary goal for this team. A championship is the ultimate goal, but even making a trip to the NBA Finals would be a monumental achievement for Toronto.
Nurse has a talented roster, but that talent comes with high expectations. Maybe he can keep his team loose enough to exceed those expectations.
Follow Us
Subscribe