We are just three days away from the NBA officially resuming amid a pandemic. As much as it is exciting for us, for the players it is a massive challenge. Imagine playing frequently in front of 20,000 people and then suddenly switching to an arena where there are no fans except your teammates on the bench to hype you up? Quite challenging isn’t it? That is exactly what Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse thinks as well. 

The Toronto Raptors are entering the bubble as the second seed in the east. When they lost Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers following their championship triumph in 2019, not many believed that the team would retain their top status. 

But, coach Nurse has been a tremendous motivator this season, pushing the Raptors to register the third-best record in the league, prior to the season’s suspension. Moreover, Pascal Siakam was on a tremendous run this season averaging 23.6 points per game. Raptors sure do have loaded talent on their roster, but they are aware that competing inside the bubble will be a different ball game. 

Toronto Raptors coach thinks it will be difficult when the stakes go up

The NBA playoffs is a nerve-racking experience for any team. Being in the postseason adventure, experiencing Game 7 is always going to be a difficult hurdle to get past. Now we will see all of that inside the bubble, but this time it will be even tougher on the players. Raptors coach Nick Nurse detailed on how the players would have to “manufacture” energy as the games get going. 

“I think it will be difficult when the stakes go up, because I think there’s just kind of human emotion and reaction to big plays,” Nurse said. He mentioned how players get emotional towards the officials when certain calls don’t go their way. “You think you’re in there and there’s a big play and a big block and the whistle blows.”

“I think it’s pretty normal what’s happening, it is just that we can hear it all now,” he added. “Lots of emotions towards officials’ calls and then it kind of tapers off, until you get the feel of it. I think in a couple of weeks Tim, we’ll get used to it a little bit more,” Nurse said, replying to a journalist. “But, I think when the stakes go up, it is going to be really interesting,” he concluded. 

The Raptors have one more scrimmage game in their schedule against the Phoenix Suns. Furthermore, their campaign opener is an extremely crucial one. Kyle Lowry and his team face the might of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Are you backing the Raptors to defend their crown this season?

SOURCE: Jeff F