Toronto Raptors: Three takeaways from 2020 All-Star Weekend
By Jordan Skuse
Toronto’s coaching staff impresses in all-star weekend debut
Nick Nurse made his All-Star Game debut as did the rest of his staff. All reports suggest Nurse and Co. were well received by the players, opposing coaches, members of the media, etc.
Coming off a title win, having the honour of coaching in the NBA’s midseason classic had to be a huge moment for Nurse considering the journey he’s been on to get where he finds himself today, head coach of the defending NBA champions.
Coach Nurse and his staff, also the team’s two best players in Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, had the opportunity to “chat up” Giannis Antetokounmpo, ahead of his big offseason decision – Antetokounmpo is eligible to sign a max extension this summer but it’s unclear whether Milwaukee’s star wants to enter into a long-term commitment with the East-leading Bucks.
Toronto certainly hopes the Greek Freak plays out the final year of his current deal. Should the Raptors eliminate the Bucks in the playoffs, again, that might be the last straw for Antetokounmpo.
Aside from some gentle tampering we all hope went down in Chicago, 2020 All-Star weekend was a huge success for all involved and the experience should give the champs plenty of confidence. Specifically, the revamped format demanded more from both coaches and players, with Nurse ultimately electing to ride with both Lowry and Siakam down the stretch. Perhaps a little bit of playing favourites? I will say this…Trae Young, while a talent, must develop a better defensive work ethic. There’s bad defending, and then there is whatever Young does…
Ultimately, Toronto’s trio, along with the rest of Team Giannis, fell short in its collective quest to win. Of all things, an Anthony Davis free throw was the final nail in the coffin, as the single-point effort brought Team LeBron to the target score of 157.
Hey NBA – next year, make sure the game can’t end on a free throw, k? Appreciate it. Besides that, the NBA hit a home run with this new format and the same goes for Nurse and the rest of Toronto’s staff, all of whom shone brightly during All-Star Weekend 2020.