Throughout the NBA playoffs, where we Raptor fans are left to wallow, Raptors Republic brings you the 100 Words Series. Calling on RR writers and other Raptor scribes from around the internet and MSM, we’ll provide the Republic with 100-word takes on players, coaches, management and announcers. Look for these two or three times a week, continuing today with Kyle Lowry. The mission I charged the contributors with was simple: you have 100 words (prose, poetry, song, whatever) to discuss said player.
Andrew Thompson, Raptors Republic
Kyle Lowry’s 2012-2013 per 36 minute stats:
14.1 points, 7.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals on 40-36-79 splits. He’s one of the best on ball defenders in the NBA (when he wants to be) and he’s only making $6.2 million next year. If you’re not thrilled with your point guard for next season, well then, you’re a fool.
Blake Murphy, Raptors Republic
That there is the issue. Kyle Lowry struggled to be both a creator and a facilitator at the same time this year, although a large part of that may have been due first to his changing roles and then to his changing teammates. Coach Casey’s sometimes awkward idea of an NBA offense probably didn’t help either. If Lowry can find a way to mesh above-average court vision with his scoring talents (not just bounce between the two), he’ll once again be the man for whom I penned this.
Eric Koreen, The National Post
Sometimes the narrative exists solely to serve the lazy journalist, and sometimes it is the truth. Kyle Lowry must become a professional this year. The coaching staff did him no favours last year, asking him to be an off-brand version of Jose Calderon. But Lowry did not always try to make the most of the situation. Assuming the Raptors pick up the option on Lowry’s contract, he will be a free agent next year. There is no doubt he can play. All he has to do is accept coaching and lead, and he will be wealthy.
PhD Steve, Raptors Republic
Kyle Lowry – A Haiku
Not sure if hes good
cause coach plays no real offense
wait and see next year
Ryan McNeill, Hoops Addict
In November Lowry teased fans with his potential as he averaged 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.2 dimes, but it turns out that isn’t the style of play Dwane Casey wants from his point guards so the talented point guard and defensive-minded coach butted heads for most of the season. The result was a neutered Lowry that averaged 8.6 dimes in April but only averaged 9.6 points. There were rumours that Lowry played this season injured, but, regardless of the reason, he needs to step up next season as it’s his last year of his contract.
Tim W., Raptors Republic
It recently occurred to me who Kyle Lowry reminds me of. A poor man’s Russell Westbrook. Both are natural shoot first PGs who get a lot of assists. Both are phenomenal rebounders who have a better defensive reputation than they really should. Both take a lot of ill-advised threes, that thrill when they go in, but kill if they don’t. They both play with a reckless abandon and a chip on their shoulder that hurts them almost as much as it helps them. Just as I have mixed feelings about Westbrook, I have mixed feelings on Lowry.
Zarar Sidiqi, Raptors Republic
Whenever I think of Kyle Lowry, I get reminded how he was Colangelo’s Plan B, where Plan A was giving Steve Nash $36M for three years. Considering the alternative, I’d say Lowry was a good gamble where nothing but a pick was conceded (and we have given up picks for far less). This season we learned that reining him in by turning him into a “traditional” point guard doesn’t work because he’s simply not that. The meaningless end to the season did have one meaningful aspect, and that’s Lowry figuring out how to run a team without being reckless.
