Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry is ready to lead the way in the bubble

Kyle Lowry appears ready to lead his Toronto Raptors in the bubble

As the Toronto Raptors prepare to begin their quest to repeat as NBA champions, much of their success in the Orlando restart will depend on Kyle Lowry, the team’s MVP and leader of the team.

While many would point to Pascal Siakam as the best player on the roster, and there won’t be many that disagree with that assessment, if the Raptors are going to make a deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference, they’re going to need a big performance from Lowry.

Since re-signing with the team in 2017, he’s almost been a different player. After being viewed as a player that continuously came up short in the clutch, Lowry has done a great job of flipping and erasing that narrative.

Kyle Lowry has been the heart and soul of the Toronto Raptors

More from Sir Charles In Charge

Even though Kawhi Leonard was a big part of the Raptors winning the 2019 NBA championship, you can make a case that Lowry was almost as instrumental in Toronto’s run in the playoffs last season. He’s been the heart and soul of the Raptors this season and was averaging 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds per game before the hiatus.

As the Raptors prepare to resume the season, head coach Nick Nurse had nothing but praise for Lowry.

"“He had an amazing playoffs last year. There’s a confidence component that’s there. He learned a little each year about his body and conditioning, and extending that finish line. I think he’s smarter in that way, and he has tremendous confidence,” Nurse said of Lowry.“I think he’s played at a level this year where it’s been higher than before. He’s played fantastic.”"

Entering the bubble, Lowry is healthy and has all the confidence in the world. The Raptors are champions and they have nothing to lose heading into the restart. They’re already being counted out and overlooked as an Eastern Conference contender despite being the second seed.

Not many gave the Raptors a good chance to even get out of the Eastern Conference, much less beat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. They did both. Even though this is a different Raptors team at the top, who’s to say that they can’t replicate some of that same magic?

Next. Boston Celtics: It's important to keep an eye on Kemba Walker's health. dark

The Toronto Raptors may not be at the top of the list of possible NBA champions as we inch closer and closer to the restart, but I wouldn’t entirely count out Kyle Lowry and his squad.

Home/Toronto Raptors