Trash-talk Toronto Raptors: Back on track for the Raptors

A quick update on Nick Nurse’s challenges

As the season began, Nurse was pretty horrible at winning challenges. In fact, he was performing at a much lower rate than the average coach. Where does he stand now?

The last time we looked at his update he wasn’t doing so hot:

• 10/22 v. New Orleans, foul, unsuccessful (0/1)
• 10/25 v. Boston, foul, unsuccessful (0/2)
• 10/28 v. Orlando, foul, unsuccessful (0/3)
• 10/30 v. Detroit, out of bounds, unsuccessful (0/4)
• 11/2 v. Milwaukee, foul, unsuccessful (0/5)
• 11/6 v. Sacramento, foul, unsuccessful (0/6)
• 11/10 v. Los Angeles Lakers, foul, successful (1/7)
• 11/18 v. Charlotte, foul, unsuccessful (1/8)
• 11/20 v. Orlando, foul, unsuccessful (1/9)
• 11/25 v. Philadelphia, foul, successful (2/10)
• 11/29 v. Orlando, out of bounds, successful (3/11)
• 12/3 v. Miami, foul, unsuccessful (3/12)
• 12/8 v. Philadelphia, foul, unsuccessful (3/13)
• 12/14 v. Brooklyn, foul, successful (4/14)

By my count, here’s Nurse’s update since 12/14:

• 12/18 v. Detroit, out of bounds, successful (5/15)
• 12/22 v. Dallas, foul, unsuccessful (5/16)
• 12/28 v. Boston, foul, successful (6/17)
• 12/29 v. Oklahoma City, foul, unsuccessful (6/18)
• 12/31 v. Cleveland, foul, successful (7/19)
• 1/12 v. San Antonio, foul, successful (8/20)
• 1/15. v. Oklahoma City, foul, unsuccessful (8/21)
• 1/20 v. Atlanta, foul, successful (9/22)

While his overall record is moving towards .500, he also is better than .500 in his last eight challenges by virtue of going 5-for-8. A big improvement over his first quarter of the season.

Meanwhile, Nurse is also getting a lot of technicals as reported by Ryan Wolstat. Although, Nurse also argues that he won’t change his approach to working with the officials.

Unless they start losing soon, due to these infractions as well, then there really is no reason for a change and he’ll continue to fight for some respect for his team.

That’s our buddy, Nick Nurse, in a nutshell.