The Toronto Raptors season is officially over, and I’m officially sad. MLSE decided to schedule locker cleanout a little early this season, but I guess it’s technically already late because at this point in the year the only Raptor basketball we’re used to seeing is highlights.
Various players came to speak with media, and some did interviews with radio and such. Fortunately for you, I watched all of it, meaning you don’t have to.
Patrick Patterson (quotes also from Fan 590)
- After the trade the chemistry was amazing, everyone had more confidence and players emerged
- Said he wants to be back in Toronto, surprisingly amazing fan base, happy with environment and team chemistry
- Says Kyle and his family love it here, his gut tells him Kyle will stay.
- Restricted FA means he will be able look at other teams, but know he has a home here
- Had a great time here, this was by far the best NBA experience (better than Houston and Sacramento)
- Starting isn’t important, he just wants to make a positive impact
- Toronto is one of the best cities in the NBA in terms of city, food, people, nightlife, there isn’t one bad thing about Toronto
- Sees the Raptors as becoming one of the top teams in the NBA
- First time being on a team where everyone was happy, no locker room problems, etc positive environment with everyone supporting each other
- Second time being teammates with Kyle, ‘his ability to lose weight was what he most improved, was heavy in Houston’ (obviously a joke), had elite games in Houston, however was elite every game here, has grown so many ways
- Wants to improve his post game, get stronger and quicker, will work on ball handling, lateral quickness, wants to be able to guard PGs
Kyle Lowry (quotes also from TSN 1050)
- “I love being here, love everything about the city, love the organization”
- “Masai has a done a great job, the experience factor is what makes the team better”
- Talks about how he sat around in the locker room for a while in silence, kept his uniform on and just sat recapping the year, recapping the game
- “We earned the respect of the league for us to stay, and we are going to be better”
- “I don’t have feelings right now, it is such a blur, it hasn’t hit you that the season is over yet, it is nothing that you can put your finger on”
- “I want to be want to be happy, want to win”
- Season was good, but says could have been better.
- RE re-signing, nothing to convince him on, has to weigh the options and look at what’s the best situation.
- “I still expect more from myself, I did enough this year to get us to the first round but I feel like I can do a lot more.”
- “I am sure Casey will be back.”
- “I appreciate the fans, fanbase is unbelievable. I appreciate them and the team appreciates them.I love this place, I love this situation – simple as that.”
- “Of course I could see myself back, but I haven’t really gotten into deep process of thought yet. That’s two months away.”
- Reporter: “Can you take us through the last 8 seconds” Lowry: 6.2. Everyone laughs. Seriously, you’re paid to do this?
- Factors affecting my decision: winning, family, situation, organization, franchise, growth – I am very happy – this has been one of the best seasons I have had.
- DeMar is my brother – he is a factor in my decision. I’m going to grow more and get a lot better.
DeMar DeRozan (quotes also from Tim and Sid)
- “We have some of the best fans in the league, I’m pleased with season we had, we overcoming critics, proved a lot of people long,
- Isn’t worried about Lowry re-signing (don’t know why he keeps saying that)
- -We don’t need much, need to gain more experience, add some veterans
- playing against Pierce and Garnett, etc provided more of a learning experience than Bulls or Wizards, showed what they needed to win, made them learn a lot
- Says Tank Nation is crazy, can eat their words. proved that we can play great basketball.”
- It was cool winning 48 games but we know we can win more than that. It was cool going to 1st round game 7 but we want more. We know we can go further and be better.
- Says he doesn’t worry about the refs. Just plays hard and aggressive. Can’t rely on the refs for any calls.
- -Had the flu really bad yesterday, and just didn’t want to anything. Was tough
- “I Didn’t surprise myself, I knew how hard I worked for this season. Really pushed myself.”
- “I have a lot to improve, haven’t evaluated everything but there is a lot that I’m frustrated with that I know I should and will be better at.”
- “It sucks to lose but nobody picked us to even make it this far.”
- Never got why people didn’t want to stay in Toronto. He’s never had a complaint.
- “I don’t think people understand how good the fans were even when we were struggling, only me and Amir were here.”
- Sky is the limit for both Jonas and Terrence, both going to take a lot away from the series.
- Took tanking as disrespect because he knows how hard everyone works
- This team is going to be 10X better because we know how hard we have to play to win games. If we take that playoff mindset from the beginning of the season the sky is the limit.
- Not worried about Kyle or Casey, laughed at both. Clearly had confidence in both coming back.
- Casey has been the same Dwane Casey, same principles, preached the same thing – everything came together like he said it would. You have to respect him – he’s a player coach. Clearly developed a bond with Casey…
- How would you feel if Kyle wasn’t back – ‘I’m not worried about that’. I didn’t say he was or wasn’t coming back. I’m just not worried about it, with a big grin.
Jonas Valanciunas
- Lot of work to do this summer, national team etc
- I think we built a start and now we have to go further, this group was a family, really important to keep same locker room attitude,
- wants to work on defensive skills, rim protection, physicality, strength, low-post, basically everything,
- I love Kyle because he’s a warrior, great player, and spirit of our team,
- who do you see yourself turning into – Jonas Valanciunas,
- plan to work out with Hakeem Olaujowon,
- difference in playoffs – “time outs was longer” (lol), amazing experience, etc,
- need to work with my head and control myself more, I was too nervous to play game 7,
Terrence Ross
- I felt like it was a big play in the game and unleashed a lot of emotions. Everything prior built up to that scream.
- Casey being back is big – I have built a relationship with Casey, he’s taught me a lot. I would like him to come back.
- Kyle is like my big brother – I look up to him. I keep telling him ‘bro you have to come back, you are the heart of our team’.
- The fans were unreal – it was like playing for an overseas soccer team. Not too many guys get to see this, I don’t think you will ever find support like you have here in Toronto.
- I’ve watched DeMar since high school, always knew he had game but to see where he’s come is unbelievable – shows his work ethic. I’ve learned a lot from him and he’s rubbed off on me – he’s a big reason why I stepped it up.
Amir Johnson
- Didn’t sleep last night, was devastated after loss.
- “I will see a couple of doctors about my ankles.”
- “This year overall we were solid, and we will be back and better next season, just have to clean some stuff up.”
- “Kyle has been amazing, should have been an all-star.”
- “Throughout my years in the NBA, I have never seen a fanbase like this. it’s very inspirational, makes us hungry to get there again and do it for them. We have the best fans in the world.”
- Re Casey: “we have been in it together, been through the ups and downs together. I hope he’s back, along with everyone – this is arguably the best Raptor team we’ve had, getting everyone back is important. We may not be as flashy as the Vince Carter days, but we play as a team, together, the locker room is great. It’s hard to get a group of guys that fight for each other, you want to come back and play for this team, that’s how everyone is feeling.”
- KG was one of his favourite players growing up, that makes him want to beat him down playing against him.
Greivis Vasquez
- Didn’t sleep either, was clearly distraught
- Really, really, really wants to be back, talks about how unbelievable the chemistry is, how good this team can be – calls Toronto the potential OKC of the East
- Talks for a significant amount of time how much he and his family loves Toronto, and how emotional and sad he would be if he couldn’t come back
- Talks about the insanely loud Deron Williams free throw – says fans are incredible
- Says this is by far best NBA experience of his career, was feeling depressed in Sacramento
- Overall an extremely genuine and passionate interview – these are the type of guys we need in Toronto. Bring him back, Masai.
Overall Thoughts
I think more than anything these interviews showed the comradery of the locker room, and how tight these guys really are. Everyone wants to clearly stay, and while that might be hard to achieve, we have to hope that locker room magic is there next season. And I really do think Lowry is staying.
