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Toronto Raptors: Five things to watch for during summer league

By Mike Bossetti

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Pascal Siakam #43 and Alfonzo McKinnie #34 of the Toronto Raptors wait for a rebound during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 13, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Pascal Siakam #43 and Alfonzo McKinnie #34 of the Toronto Raptors wait for a rebound during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 13, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 07: Assistant coaches Rex Kalamian (R) and Nick Nurse (L) looks down court against the Detroit Pistons in the second half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on March 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Raptors defeat the Pistons 121-119. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rex Kalamian; Nick Nurse
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 07: Assistant coaches Rex Kalamian (R) and Nick Nurse (L) looks down court against the Detroit Pistons in the second half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on March 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Raptors defeat the Pistons 121-119. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rex Kalamian; Nick Nurse /

Nick Nurse’s lineup choices and adjustments

Not only will we see Nick Nurse’s offensive and defensive systems for the first time, we will also get our first opportunity to watch him as a tactician. A coaches in-game adjustments, lineup choices, and sideline X’s and O’s can be just as important as their offensive and defensive systems.

For Nurse, one area to keep an eye on is if he elects to play small. During coach Casey’s tenure the Raptors rarely played without two traditional big-men on the court. If Nurse consistently plays lineups featuring four perimeter oriented players, it may be a good indicator of how the team will look this season.

Another area where fans may experience a change from coach Casey is in terms of in-game adjustments. Casey was notoriously slow to adjust, often times sticking to his guns, rather than altering the gameplan. It’s unclear if Nurse will have the same approach.

Lastly, it will be exciting to see if Nurse has any new wrinkles out of sideline and baseline out-of-bounds sets. It’s likely he won’t show anything too serious prior to the season, but perhaps he will give the fans a tease.

Next: Whats next for Toronto after LeBron heads West

Ultimately, the Summer League is what you make of it. The games don’t matter, the talent level is not the highest, and it can become sloppy at times. It still is NBA (kinda?) Basketball in July, so just enjoy it.

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