The Toronto Raptors had a rough 2021-22 season, and one of the low points was a reported fight between star Pascal Siakam and head coach Nick Nurse. This led to rumors of a rift between Siakam and the Nurse, which in turn resulted in trade rumors.
Siakam is now trying to set the record straight about what happened. In an interview with Sopan Deb of The New York Times, the Raptors star is saying he didn't “think it was that bad” and was ultimately the result of frustrations amid a losing season.
Siakam then went into detail on what exactly happened:
This is what happened: It was after a game. I’m just so frustrated. It’s like, “Oh, we’re losing and I’m just mad I didn’t play and I could’ve really helped my team.”
And we’re having a losing season and I think those things happen between a coach and a player. Obviously, I probably used language, uh, people use. It is what it is, but I don’t think it was such a big deal because after that situation happened, we talked. We are on good terms.
It was just an argument. Literally one argument and like: “Oh, I’m mad at this. I’m yelling and this is it.” That’s it. Grown men.
This sounds pretty reasonable, and Siakam does admit to probably going over the line. There were rumors of Raptors discipline for the fight, but it sounds like things have been patched up.
Siakam wants to stay in Toronto for the long haul, and Masai Ujiri has been adamant that the Raptors don't intend on trading him. Last season was rough for the entire organization (the Raptors played home games in Tampa), so it's understandable that things went a bit off the rails. Siakam himself also had COVID-19, which caused him to lose a lot of weight.
The Raptors star has high expectations for himself in 2021-22, so expect a nice bounce-back season.
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