Raptors fans defend Kyle Lowry after reporter slights him in tweet
The Miami Heat are off to a scorching start with an Eastern Conference-leading 6-1 record, due in large part to the offseason acquisition of long-time Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry.
A six-time all-star and 2019 NBA champion with Toronto, Heat supporters — and many American NBA fans who now see much more of him on TV — are finally giving the 35-year-old his dues as one of the league’s best.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon tweeted about Lowry’s effect on Miami during the Heat’s dismantling of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, and it ruffled some feathers in Raptors Nation.
Kyle Lowry is reminding the Mavs of all the good reasons they would have loved to sign him in free agency. And he might be the Heat’s fourth best player.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 3, 2021
While MacMahon’s tweet seems to have been a compliment toward Lowry, Raptors fans who got to enjoy his talents for nine seasons took exception to the reporter’s assessment of his place in the team’s hierarchy. Here are just a handful of the many replies to the controversial statement.
he might be the what
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) November 3, 2021
No chance there are 3 better players on that roster.
— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) November 3, 2021
So how does a player who makes the others better end up worse than the players he makes better? It’s like folks watch stats and don’t consider the broader context
— Sarah says get vaxxed 💉😷 (@sarahrimmington) November 3, 2021
Honestly, it's kinda embarrassing how little some US media knew about Kyle Lowry before this season. There's nearly a decade of high-level play with All-Star appearances, numerous superstar performances and a championship.
And now Heat Culture has transformed him? LIKE WHAT?— Amit Mann (@Amit_Mann) November 3, 2021
Tuesday’s contest in Miami was Lowry’s best game in a Heat uniform, scoring 22 points, nabbing five rebounds and dishing out nine assists. While his averages of 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists are far from being career-highs, it’s his leadership and playmaking ability that have the Heat humming early on.
Raptors fans familiar with Lowry's game expected him to make Miami a contender in the East, but it’s refreshing to see him finally get the recognition he deserves south of the border.
Toronto will visit FTX Arena in Miami on Jan. 17, while Lowry’s highly anticipated return to Scotiabank Arena is slated for Feb. 3.
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