Lowry reunion will have to wait

Guard will miss Monday’s game

The anticipation of seeing Kyle Lowry play for the first time against the team he led to an NBA championship will build for a few more weeks, at least.

The Miami Heat announced Sunday evening that Lowry will miss Monday’s game against the Raptors for “personal reasons,” taking much of the excitement away from what is now just another regularseason game.

Lowry, who helped guide the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title and is generally considered the best player in Toronto franchise history, was to play against the Raptors for the first time since signing a three-year free agent contract with the Heat last summer.

The game hadn’t generated much extra enthusiasm among the Raptors players but fans had been anticipating it since the schedule was released.

“Not really,” Toronto’s Fred VanVleet said Saturday when asked if he was eagerly anticipating Monday’s game. “I think the one that was talked about was obviously his return to Toronto.”

Barring any other circumstances, Lowry should face Toronto for the first time Jan. 29 in Miami and visit Scotiabank Arena when the teams play again Feb. 1.

But if the Raptors are still playing in an empty home arena that night, and with the Heat finishing a stretch of four games in five nights when they come to Toronto, Lowry’s participation in that game is not a sure thing.

The final meeting between Toronto and Miami this season is scheduled for April 3 in Toronto.

Dalano Banton and Malachi Flynn. Are they in Nick Nurse’s doghouse? Toronto’s depth at the start of the season seems not so deep anymore. Beyond Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam (and to a lesser degree Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr.) the talent level drops off rather precipitously … Masai Ujiri has his work cut out going forward.

Harry B.

Not in the doghouse at all, but the Raptors have found a rotation that works very well, takes advantage of matchups and the myriad skills of Siakam and Barnes as ballhandlers. Yeah, depth is an issue, but it’s primarily right now on the wings and scoring, not with point guards. Neither Flynn nor Banton would address that.

What are the chances that the Raptors bring in Antonio Davis and/or Kevin Willis as Precious Achiuwa’s personal coaches? I think their games would translate to Achiuwa’s pretty well. Am I dreaming? Davis and Willis were tough and tenacious, something Achiuwa has the ability to be for the Raps.

Neil

Yeah, I think you are dreaming. First, we have no idea if either of those guys can coach. Second, we have no idea if either of those guys have any interest in coaching. And third, Achiuwa is Achiuwa. He’s not as physically strong as A.D., nor does he have close to the rebounding prowess of Willis.

Given the roster needs, and given that it seems he is available, do the Raps trade for Serge Ibaka?

Leon R.

I love Serge, but having watched him a fair bit this season, I’m not sure how much game he’s got right now. And if the Raptors are looking a couple of years out — and they are — he’s not a good fit.

A while back you discussed why the Raptors should go after Indiana’s Myles Turner. There are two other possibilities I would like to mention. Deandre Ayton of Phoenix and Jusuf Nurkic of Portland might also be available in a trade. If you could choose one of them, who do you think would be the best fit?

Stan

I can’t imagine, even with his impending free agency, that the Suns would consider moving Ayton when they are legitimate championship contenders. Nurkic is interesting, but his value is his Bird rights this coming summer and renting for 30 games or so doesn’t make a lot of sense. Ayton’s probably a better player, I’d say. Surely sports journalists are much better at coming up with nicknames than players (adding Y at the end of someone’s name). What is your favourite nickname someone has bestowed on you?

Santino

Way back in the day, when I shared living quarters with my late brother and a gaggle of his pals and fellow standup comics, they used to call me Buck. If you’ve ever seen John Candy in “Uncle Buck” you’ll know why.