The Raptors don’t expect Pascal Siakam‘s one-game benching to become an ongoing issue, writes Josh Lewenberg of TSN. Coach Nick Nurse elected to hold Siakam out of Thursday’s game after he went straight to the locker room rather than the bench after fouling out with 25.6 seconds remaining Tuesday night.
Nurse called it “a disciplinary thing for an internal matter,” and Siakam accepted the decision, a source tells Lewenberg. Because it wasn’t technically a suspension, Siakam won’t lose any money.
“I don’t think anybody’s happy to see him not play, but that was the decision that came down, so you roll with it,” Fred VanVleet said. “We’re all in this together and everybody makes mistakes. This is something that’s not gonna linger around us. P was great. He was great, he handled it very well, he was a great energy for us on the bench tonight even though he wasn’t playing, and we can’t wait to get him back out there with us.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Backup center Alex Len said there was “definitely tension in the locker room” after the Raptors lost their first three games, which indicates problems that go beyond one incident with Siakam, notes Blake Murphy of The Athletic. Toronto picked up its first win Thursday night after blowing double-digit leads in each of the three losses.
- Jaylen Brown is ready to take on a larger role with the Celtics‘ offense after Gordon Hayward‘s departure in free agency, observes Tom Westerholm of Boston.com. “I’m definitely trying to accept the challenge, and I’m excited about this year in general for our group,” said Brown, who had a career-high 42 points Wednesday night. “I think we still have a great group. We have a lot to learn, I have a lot to learn but I think we are all embracing that challenge. Personally, for me, to be in a new and different role with more responsibility, I love and I want to handle that great responsibility to make sure I get other guys involved, all my teammates and try to be the best leader I can possibly be.”
- Sixers guard Ben Simmons hit his third career three-pointer Thursday night and is becoming more comfortable with the shot, according to Ky Carlin of Yahoo Sports. “I’ve seen him make it in practice and I know he can knock it down,” said teammate Seth Curry. “Especially from the corner so it’s just a matter of him doing it in a game and stepping into it with confidence. It didn’t look like there was too much hesitation on the shot and I expected it to go in.”
This is now the second article by Josh trying to make this benching a bigger thing than it is. I don’t know if it’s his bosses telling him to get clicks, but it’s poor journalism. Either that or NBA players are the biggest babies in sports considering in any other major sports league benchings for bad behavior is common.
Wow, a journalist trying to make a big deal out of nothing. Where have I heard this before? Oh yeah, the thousands of articles written recently about all of the trade speculation surrounding James Harden, that’s it.
Meanwhile he’s building more and more chemistry with his new teammates John Wall, Christian Wood, Boogie Cousins, etc. The only trade they needed to make was ridding themselves of Westbrick, who only cares about filling out his stat sheet every night. How long will it take for Wizards fans to wish their team never gave away Wall plus a first round pick to get him?
I can’t believe so many people thought that Washington actually won that trade. LOL. Wall looks great in Houston while Russ is his same old self(ish).
Whatever is true about Westbrook was also true a year ago when Houston acquired him in the first place.
Good god guy. You’re the most negative person on this forum. It’s a good thing you weren’t around when Tmac Yao and Hakeem were former Rockets too or else you’d bash them too. I get being loyal to your team but don’t be a raging buffoon. Let’s do simple fact-checks:
Fact: CP3 didn’t cause your bum ass shooters to go 3/30 in the first half of the 2018 WCF G7 against GSW.
Fact: it’s not CP3’s fault that your bum ass team couldn’t beat a KD-less team two years ago.
Fact: it’s not Russ’ fault that Capella got dealt and you had a 6’4 center against AD/Howard/McGee
Fact: it’s never harden’s fault that he choked in 2016 semifinals against the Spurs minus Kawhi in Game 6, and lost by 40.
Fact: it’s Harden’s fault bc he is fakest leader in the history of the game. He has no leadership qualities. He runs like a female dog when the tough gets going.
Fact: even with a healthy Wall Boogie and etc, your team won only by 4 against a Medicore kings team.
Fact: you’ll blame the coach by the end of this year for the failure of another 1st or 2nd round exit.
Get it thru your head. Houston hasn’t won anything since 1995. They want to operate and act like they are a Western Conference bully but they are at best a chihuahua. This team is going in no direction. Harden will leave and then you’ll be MIA from this forum just like Dionnis was after he kept saying two years ago KD and Kyrie to NYK, and nobody showed up, and somehow you came along. I’m convinced you’re Dionnis. There is no reason not to believe.
Happy Friggin New Year.
I wish I could like this 50 times
You can. Just create several accounts like a couple of other people around here.
LMAO comment of the day.I just chuckled out loud.
Pretty sure it’s a big deal when one of your best players gets benched/suspended. That said, i think he only wrote one article about it.
3 reasons Wiggins can maximize more potential than Simmons
Wiggins is the 2nd banana and Simmons is more like third piece. Wolves Wiggins average 22 and Simmons 16 points last season
Wiggins is much stronger and more aggressive this season, Wiggins should play point guard more
Coaches trust Wiggins more than Simmons on shooting
I don’t agree with any aspect of this comment, but still stand by my take that Wiggins is everything MJ was, he can do anything MJ can do on the court in any moment, with one exception: MJ’s basketball IQ was like 200 and Wiggins is like 75.
Wiggins really is Maple Jordan everywhere but inside his head. If anyone can solve his mind and make him understand where to be on the court at all times, he will be one of the best in the game. Til then you have a mercurial type who will pepper in plenty of terrible games amongst the good ones.
“In any moment”
You mean like take over a game like MJ did? Please stop comparing Wiggins to Jordan. Wiggins isn’t even a top 30 player in the league. I get your a homer, but to describe a marginal all star at best to the most ruthless competitor the game has ever seen is ludicrous. Wiggins will never be more than a Rudy Gay. He is overpaid and over hyped and if he doesn’t know his role or game around Steph Draymond and Kerr, then you know what you have with him. He’s a more athletic Luol Deng or Rudy Gay.
Wiggins & Oubre for a Harrison Barnes reunion and to also acquire Buddy Hield.
Maple ??? Maple Syrup?
I could use another line here, but wont’
However, it’s probably just a typo on your part/smart phone.
PS I never heard Wiggins being compared to Jordan that way. I should take another look at Wiggins. Plus, the Sixers should trade Simmons for Wiggins and the heck with Harden
IDK what Maple Jordan means, but until I discover it, it is fun reading the things people say about Wiggins esp since GSW got him.
If 76ers plan to play in conference finals, they have to place Simmons at 3rd option
Trade for a 2nd banana now
becoming more comfortable? he hit his third career three. let him try attempting 3 in a game before we push the comfortable card.
In modern nba, if a guard or forward can’t shoot beyond 15 feet, he is a third piece at best in a team
Most teams have mediocre 3pt shooters. Is that any better? Long rebounds lead to fast breaks.
Rare events I witnessed in 2020:
1. A pandemic
2. Jupiter and Saturn visible together in the night sky.
3. Ben Simmons making a 3 point shot.
One day all that will be left of us is some weirdos living on a moon of Saturn.