As coach of the depth-challenged Raptors, Nick Nurse has spent a lot of the past few seasons adjusting and readjusting the message he sends to his oft-struggling bench.
He has always demanded the reserves bring energy. And this season the likes of Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa mostly have. He has asked repeatedly for better efforts on defence and on the boards. Considering offence-first guard Gary Trent Jr. is the leading reserve minute-getter of late, that has come with understandably spottier returns.
But with the bench in one of its worst slumps of the season, and the Raptors in the throes of a three-game losing streak as they attempt to cling to a spot in the play-in tournament, Nurse seems to have toned down his demands.