A few years ago, Kyle Lowry told reporters that he would never take a backup or unofficial coaching role just to take part in a twentieth NBA season.
Well, presumably.
Really?
asked Lowry. I lied.
After letting reporters finish laughing, the Philadelphia 76ers point guard — who averaged 8.5 minutes on the court in the five games he played this season — explained what’s changed and what motivates him to play one more season, even in a reduced role.
In basketball, you have to be able to take a step back sometimes and be able to say, “How can I return the favor?”
Lowry said Sunday in the visitors’ locker room at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. I was always the guy who wanted to pay it forward
he continued.
Several career stops
In the 2006 draft, Kyle Lowry was selected 24th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played for three seasons before being traded to the Houston Rockets in February 2009. After four seasons in Houston, the Raptors acquired him during the offseason in 2012.
The basketball player spent nine seasons in Toronto and helped the Raptors win the NBA championship in 2019. A trade later sent him to Miami, where he assisted in the team’s appearance in the NBA Finals in 2023. In 2024, he was traded to the Hornets of Charlotte, before finally joining the 76ers.
His head coach in Philadelphia, Nick Nurse — who also coached him with the Raptors. during the team’s conquest — says the veteran has been a great mentor for the 76ers on and off the court this season.
We have a lot of young leaders and obviously he is able to help them
said Nick Nurse on Sunday, before the 76ers lost to the Raptors in overtime. He really wanted to play a 20e season. This is a significant accomplishment.
A return to Toronto planned
This year, Kyle Lowry averaged 1.2 points per game, in addition to getting 1.4 assists and 0.6 rebounds this season, statistics far from his career averages. But his coach maintains he contributes much more than the scorecard indicates, describing him as one of the three hardest-working players he has coached.
Kyle Lowry says his season is fun, rather than stressful. It’s a challenge to be in this kind of role. You need to find ways to challenge yourself.
Kyle Lowry won the NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019. (File photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Frank Gunn
My challenge is to help these guys every day, to be in the game plan, to understand it, to understand what we want to do as a team.
Lowry is enjoying what could be his final season in the NBA, although he confirms he wants to sign a deal with one last team before retiring. My goal, and I’m committed to it, is to sign a one-day contract and retire as a Raptor
he said. That hasn’t changed.
Nick Nurse is hoping to get Kyle Lowry on the floor Monday night at Scotiabank Arena for the second game between the two teams so fans can at least see him play one last time.
With information from The Canadian Press
