Trash-talk: A Toronto Raptors gossip column
Nick Nurse: Shredding the guitar and players alike
Hands down the quote of the offseason came from Nick Nurse. It was buried in a long piece by ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, but it remains a pure gem:
"“I saw Fred [VanVleet] and Pascal the day after [Kawhi left]. I told them, ‘There are 20-plus shots up for grabs.’ They both grabbed their right shoulders and said, ‘We’re ready.'” — Nick Nurse to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan"
This quote, in particular, isn’t shredding any players — we’ll get to that in a little bit — but it certainly provides some pure, unforeseen comedy when you imagine Pascal Siakam and VanVleet grabbing their right shoulders.
It’s like describing a scene straight out of a heavily scripted, sports movie. But, instead of it actually being as intense and poignant as it sounds, I imagine it went something like this:
"Nurse: “Hey guys, we’ve got shots available this year.” Siakam and VanVleet, thinking back to the playoffs: “Eh, coach, our shoulders actually pretty sore. Let’s rub them to see how they feel.” Nurse: “…Well, how do they feel?” Siakam and VanVleet look at each other, regrettably: “Coach…” Nurse, interrupting: “Look, I’ve got this interview with Jackie Mac coming up and I need something good, so just tell me you’re ready to go.” Siakam and VanVleet, sighing: “We’re ready.”"
Seriously, though, if it truly went as the way Nurse described it then I’d have some serious follow-up questions: Did they then massage their calves? Did they do those weird shoulder spin circles like in grade school gym class? Did they inject some kind of muscle-building snake venom that had a piercing, pungent aroma?
Jackie Mac, where were you on your follow-up questions? Or, did this one scare you off from ever wanting to uncover Nurse’s secrets?
Likely, we’ll never know…
Nurse didn’t take his foot off the gas pedal nearing the impending season, either. He responded very unkindly when asked about the defensive mentality of the new acquisitions:
Starting a response with “Nope. Nope. Nope,” is never really a good starting spot. Most fans would oftentimes like this stuff to remain in-house; I am one of those fans.
Be that as it may, it’s a quality, unfiltered quote from Nurse, who is pretty much taking a page out of Gregg Popovich’s book of hard-nosed quotes. Fans can only hope that the players involved, Stanley Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, respond in kind.
Otherwise, those acquisitions might already be circling the drain before the first jump ball ever takes place in the 2019-20 season.
Whether or not Nurse was in the right, the damage has been done mercilessly. And, best of all, he seemingly doesn’t give a damn. He’s hungry; he knows his team has been counted out before the battle has begun and, clearly, he wants to prove it otherwise.