By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Raptors NationRaptors Nation
  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • Videos
  • History
  • Gallery
Reading: Raptors News: Nick Nurse Opens Up About Coaching Kawhi Leonard In Toronto
Aa
Raptors NationRaptors Nation
Aa
  • News
  • Rumors
  • Recap
  • History
  • Games
Search
  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • Videos
  • History
  • Gallery
Follow US
  • Advertise
Copyright 2023 Raptorsnation | All Rights Reserved | Website By Hero Landers
Home > Blog > News > Raptors News: Nick Nurse Opens Up About Coaching Kawhi Leonard In Toronto
News

Raptors News: Nick Nurse Opens Up About Coaching Kawhi Leonard In Toronto

Matthew Valento
Last updated: 2023/09/17 at 1:24 PM
Matthew Valento
3 Min Read
SHARE

The Toronto Raptors were a team that took a gamble in the 2018 offseason. They traded for superstar forward Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard only had one-year left on his deal and preferred to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, Toronto struck a deal as they sent DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs.

Some questioned the move and if it would pan out for the Raptors. Especially with a rookie head coach at the time in Nick Nurse. The move worked out brilliantly for Toronto as it panned out to the franchise’s first ever NBA Championship.

Nurse made an appearance on The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone and talked about his experience coaching Leonard in that one season with the Raptors:

“I don’t think anybody knew how it was gonna work. I think he hadn’t played in like 12 or 14 months. So I don’t think anybody knew health-wise where he was going to be. We kinda went into it with a slow build. We were not gonna play him in back-to-backs and things like that. When he wasn’t playing early on, people were like, ‘What’s going on?’ But the team started playing so well that we just kinda played.”

The Raptors finished second in the Eastern Conference with a 58-24 record only behind the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Raptors beat the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Bucks in the playoffs. They played the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and beat them in six games.

Leonard was a free agent in the summer of 2019 and there was a lot of speculation on where he would go.

As the story goes, Leonard left the Raptors to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

While Raptors fans wished Leonard’s tenure was longer, at least the gamble for him resulted in a championship.

Serge Ibaka is heading overseas

One of the key pieces of the Raptors’ 2019 championship team was Serge Ibaka. Ibaka has struggled the past few seasons trying to find a home.

The 33-year-old is now going overseas as he’s signed a one-year deal with FC Bayern Munich in Germany to continue his basketball career.

Have you subscribed to the Raptors Nation YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0

You Might Also Like

Raptors News: Christian Koloko Is Out Indefinitely With Respiratory Issues

Raptors Media Day: Scottie Barnes Says His Mindset Is To Go Out There And Dominate

Raptors Media Day: O.G. Anunoby Says ‘I Love Toronto So I Want To Be Here’

Raptors Media Day: Pascal Siakam Weighs In On His Future In Toronto

Raptors Media Day: Masai Ujiri Says Team Hasn’t Talked About A Contract Extension With Pascal Siakam Yet

TAGGED: Kawhi Leonard, Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Matthew Valento September 17, 2023 September 17, 2023
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

Raptors News: Christian Koloko Is Out Indefinitely With Respiratory Issues
News October 2, 2023
Scottie Barnes
Raptors Media Day: Scottie Barnes Says His Mindset Is To Go Out There And Dominate
News October 2, 2023
O.G. Anunoby
Raptors Media Day: O.G. Anunoby Says ‘I Love Toronto So I Want To Be Here’
News October 2, 2023
Pascal Siakam
Raptors Media Day: Pascal Siakam Weighs In On His Future In Toronto
News October 2, 2023

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow Us
© 2023 Raptors Nation. All Rights Reserved.
Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?