Finally, after what seemed like an interminably long wait, the NBA season begins its long slow grind beginning with the annual Media Day. Media Day was once an opportunity for all the local press to interview the players and management of their local hardcourt heroes and then dribble out details to their listeners/readers/viewers. But these days with the internet and a million ways to watch, fans can now directly watch video of the interviews and enjoy an explosion of information all in a single day. Here’s what I saw and heard that might be of interest to those not afforded a chance or unwilling to take the 2 hours away from their regular daily routine.
This year, just like last year and many years before that, Masai Ujiri kicked things off by saying all the right things about all the right things. The man is unflappable – unless you punch him unexpectedly as he runs onto the floor to celebrate a championship with his team – otherwise, unflappable.Still, if you listened closely and did the math, Masai is not expecting a championship this year from his young squad. No, that’s not what he said, it was more of a, “maybe this year, maybe next…” sort of comment that just like last year, set early expectations. Yes, his team is going to try and win every game, he’s excited with the players he’s got and he couldn’t love Toronto more if he could eat it, but don’t expect any parades this year. Not for the Raptors (inserted for Leaf fans).
Likewise, Nick Nurse could have replayed his comments from last year and called it a day. He loves the team, can’t wait to get out there, experiment, juggle lineups and invent new defensive schemes. He couldn’t be having more fun if he could eat himself!
Fortunately, the players themselves had more interesting things to say this year. All-NBA player Pascal Siakam stressed how badly he wanted to be a top 5 player in the league and that offers Raptors fans significant hope because very few teams ever win a championship in the NBA without at least one top 5 player. Is that an attainable objective? Unlikely. Pascal is a great player and is developing the work effort to maximize his potential but at 28 ½ years old when the season begins, he may not have the runway necessary to get all the way there.
Pascal also spent a great deal of time singing the praises of new assistant coach Rico Hines who Siakam has spent the last few summers working with. He was so dismissive of the regular coaching staff I wondered if Pascal might be reprimanded in private, but probably not. He just loves Rico and his availability.
O.G. Anunoby looked about as uncomfortable as anyone could, kept his answers short and was so stoic one could have imagined he was charged with safeguarding all the Raptors closest secrets. But he wasn’t. He correctly said that he enjoyed playing for the Raptors, that he was never interested in a trade over the offseason and that he was changing OG to O.G. for some reason he never really explained. Raptor fans should be excited because they are going to see O.G. at this best in 2022-2023.
Scotty Barnes is without a doubt the daring of the press and the team. He’s young, confident, energetic and has a great big personality that he is not afraid to share. From his interview, it seems like he really wants to be the primary ball handler and although ready, willing and able to deploy in any role requested, it was obvious he wants to handle the ball. This is a great thing for the Raptors and Raptor fans since they really don’t have a true point guard. Fred VanVleet will forever be a shooting guard and unfortunately, Malachi Flynn just hasn’t seemed to figure it out.
Thad Young Might be as excited as any rookie. The 34 year old was traded to the Raptors mid season last year and missed the whole training camp/team building/scheme planning time with the team. This season he is ready. He really likes the whole ‘family first’ environment that the Raptors create and is keen to help the youngsters learn the ropes. Together with new signing Otto Porter, Young hopes to craft a team and give himself a realistic look at a championship. Go Thad Go!
Sure it seems like the Eastern Conference is stacked with great teams this year; Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Atlanta and Chicago but Toronto will earn it’s place in the playoffs this year. In addition to the above players, Precious Achiuwa is expected to take another big step up and new Raptors Otto Porter and Jauncho ‘Bo Cruz’ Hernangomez will definitely add the depth that was so sorely missing last year.
The Raptors play their first game of the preseason this Sunday, October 2nd in Edmonton against the new look Utah Jazz. It should be fun to watch Nick experiment with lineups and players who may not see too much time come the regular season.