It’s not hard to understand what Raptors head coach Nick Nurse values more than anything from his players.
He appreciates the ability to hit shots, a willingness to work at defensive schemes, and all those physical attributes good players must have. But the thing that gets players minutes is simple: It’s hard work.
Take, for a prime example, Stanley Johnson. He can make a shot and guard multiple positions, that all helps. But whenever the Raptors coach talks about him, one theme emerges.
“I think the important quality is that he’s maintained … a really strong work ethic day in and day out, which isn’t easy to do for somebody who’s been in the league for a while when you’re not hitting the court for really long stretches of time,” Nurse said.