Trash-talk Toronto Raptors: Nick Nurse finally wins a coach’s challenge

Nick Nurse: How does this challenge thing really work?

The hot topic among NBA coaches so far is the coach’s challenge. Doc Rivers reportedly said he “hates” the new rule; Steve Kerr reportedly doesn’t like it, either. Up until the Lakers game on Sunday, Nick Nurse probably agreed with Rivers and Kerr.

But that didn’t prevent anyone from poking fun at him fumbling his way towards an 0-for-6 start:

https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1192281885663268865

Yes, that’s Siakam using the words “hasn’t been really smart,” the same words Nurse used to describe Siakam’s early-season foul trouble.

And, Yahoo Sports Canada figured that the trouble Nurse is having could wind up helping him in the future:

All in all, however, the 0-for-6 start really wasn’t looking too hot for Nurse. And I’m not surprised coaches aren’t into the new rule; we’ve been witnessing the same drama play out in the NFL with the newly implemented ability to challenge pass interference calls, a direct response to a blatantly missed call by the referees in the New Orleans Saints/Los Angeles Rams game with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

But, the 0-for-6 start really helped with one aspect we all overlooked: comedy.

After Nurse correctly overturned a call on a supposed foul on Siakam, Lowry threw up his arms gleefully and Nurse gave everyone on the bench hugs. He even hugged a Lakers fan sitting courtside.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1193745536161079297

Say what you want about Nurse and his running mouth, but he certainly knows when it’s time to laugh at himself.

As for the rule, over the course of the season coaches will clear up when and how to use the rule. I sincerely doubt it will ever alter the final score of a game, but it gives coaches additional leverage to use when they believe they’ve been cheated.

It’s a weird checks-and-balances system, but hopefully will help in the future when referees miss plays like this:

Until then, let’s all enjoy Nurse and his bumbling of the coach’s challenge as it is too funny to ignore otherwise.