Raptors writers roundtable: Thoughts on the first half of 2020-21
By Mike Luciano
Question No. 2: What grade does Nick Nurse get so far?
ML: B. I like the fact that he’s been able to get this team back on the right track, but some of his rotation choices have been downright puzzling. Still, this team would be up You-Know-What Creek without a paddle of they didn’t have Nurse.
JL: B+. After a treacherous start to the season, Nurse and the coaching staff coached this team back to contention in the East. Hoping all is well with Nick and the other coaches in protocol.
AS: A. The only reason it’s not an A+ is because the team isn’t kicking serious ass.
BF: B. There’s been an awful lot to overcome – loss of Gasol/Ibaka, injuries, 2-8 start, playing in Tampa, COVID – so Nurse has done well to help keep the team’s head above water. Still, I haven’t loved the inconsistent rotation management nor am I a fan of his pretty regular lack of composure on the sidelines.
PG: B-. Its hard to live up to his success from his first two seasons as a head coach where he won the NBA championship in 2019 and won Coach of the Year in 2020. Everyone knows about the 2-8 start, but after that they turned it around. They currently in the eight seed, but I don’t think Toronto will be there for a while because I think Nurse bring them into the upper half in the East.