NBA

Nick Nurse praises Cavs: “Very good team coming in here.”

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 18, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse praised the up-and-coming Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of tomorrow’s matchup in Toronto. Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports�reported�Nurse’s positive words.

“I have looked at the Cavs. I don’t know if many other people have, but they’re very good. Very, very good… They know who they are and they bring it with some tenacity of we’re here to play this year… Very good team coming in here.”

Nick Nurse

Given his track record, Nurse knows a thing or two about good teams. In his first season as Toronto’s head coach in 2019, Nurse led the Raptors to their first championship as a franchise. His credibility speaks for itself.

Deserved praise

His words are rooted in plenty of truth as well. Admittedly, the Cavs haven’t finished in the top 12 of their conference standings since 2018. But their intriguing start to 2021-22 hints that a new chapter of success is on the horizon.

The Cavs currently own the east’s 8th seed, sitting at 5-4. They boast six double-digit scorers, five of whom are under the age of 25. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton again lead an offensive-minded backcourt while the young duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen patrol the interior with exceptional versatility.

Still, Cleveland’s brewing success hasn’t been a significant topic of NBA discourse thus far. Overshadowed by the star-studded juggernauts of the league, the Cavs’ youth and chemistry don’t garner the same headlines as one would think. Because of that, Nurse’s recognition of the team is all the more special.

Similar situation in Toronto

Meanwhile, Nurse has a similarly talented young core of his own in Toronto. While veterans like Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol proved crucial in bringing the city a championship, the current Raptors have shifted to a youthful identity.

Like the Cavaliers, that young core has proven effective early on. The Raptors are 6-3 through nine games and will look to add to their five-game win streak tomorrow versus the Cavs.

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