The talks don’t really matter, the film sessions just highlight past indiscretions that everyone knows about, and who delivers what message when is not really too impactful.
What the Raptors needed to do was play better for longer in a game and more to their capabilities. Their recent issues have been far more about effort than any need for outside motivation or teaching tools and speeches.
And they proved it Friday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Simply by playing better for much longer stretches, and doing the things that have made them successful in the past, the Raptors hung on for a 113-104 win over the Phoenix Suns, rewarded for one of their best sustained efforts in weeks.