74 reasons why Kawhi Leonard is staying with the Toronto Raptors
By Go Paolo
4. Alex McKechnie
The Raptors’ best kept secret is the Scottish-Canadian assistant coach and Director of Sports Science, Alex McKechnie. You won’t find him in too many photos or articles, but his role in keeping the team healthy and maximizing their performance is what helped pushed the Raptors to a title.
Educated in British Columbia in physiotherapy, McKechnie began working in sports medicine with Canadian soccer. He started with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1988 and was a member of the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup Canada men’s national soccer team that won gold.
Out of all the Raptors players and personnel, McKechnie has the most impressive championship pedigree. He has a gold medal with Team Canada, helped tennis legend Jimmy Connors capture eight grand slam titles, and was part of the Lakers dynasty that captured five championships in the 2000’s.
As the previous NBA championship runs have shown, it’s not just about superstars or team defense but staying healthy. The playoffs are a grind and they are a marathon. Bodies break down. Teams get tired. The Raptors weren’t the most talented team on paper but they outlasted everyone.
With McKechnie continuing to watch over the team’s health and training regimen, Kawhi and the Raptors have a better chance at staying healthy and in peak condition when it matters most.