Toronto: The Toronto Raptors had another excellent season in the NBA as they ended second in the eastern conference.
Despite losing Kawhi Leonard to the LA Clippers and Danny Green to the LA Lakers in the last NBA offseason, the defending champions showed leading grit throughout the year against the stronger teams.
The Toronto Raptors were engaged in a first round playoffs series against the Brooklyn Nets. But the team looked crippled as they were missing key stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving due to injuries
However, Nick guided the team to their first NBA championship and commanded them to a strong finish.
Nick Nurse was awarded the ‘NBA Coach Of The Year’ award in a programme which aired on Television Network TNT. Mike Budenholzer (head coach of Milawaukee) and Billy Donovan (head coach of OKC Thunder) were also in the nomination list but Nick pipped them to win the trophy. He was awarded the trophy by Toronto Raptors guards Fred Vanvleet and Kyle Lowry. He became very emotional after receiving the ‘NBA Coach Of The Year’ award from his players. He stated :
“I could not have done it without these guys, that’s for sure. It was quite amazing to be able to lift that Larry O’Brien trophy with these guys. That one certainly means the most to all of us. And this is cool, and to have those two guys( Lowry and VanVleet), they are as tough and smart and competitive as it comes. You don’t do this without that amazing staff and organization”.
