Toronto Raptors: 3 goals for Nick Nurse ahead of 2021-22 season

1. Improve the jump shots of several Raptors players

Ujiri put this roster together with the idea that Nurse, one of the best teachers of offensive skills in the game, would be able to turn questionable shooters into positives in that particular area. That fantasy is a big part of why they believe they can help Barnes blossom on offense.

Birch started to shoot more 3-pointers in Toronto than he did in Orlando, and Nurse is also expected to give Achiuwa the same treatment with the intent of making him a more deadly offensive player outside of the paint. Even depth signings and late-round draft picks like Isaac Bonga and Dalano Banton fit that same archetype.

Nick Nurse must get the Raptors shooting efficiently.

While the likes of Siakam, Anunoby, and Trent will make the Raptors’ starting lineup a formidable offensive group, it’s fair to be just a bit worried about their potential when it comes to beating teams in a shootout. Can a lineup so many iffy shooters suddenly find the Midas touch this season?

Building a team based on strength and length is a noble goal, but it might be hard to fully implement if Toronto fails to shoot the 3-ball at an exceptionally efficient clip. Putting trust in Nurse over someone like Casey worked out well in 2018-19, and it could work well this year.