NBA veteran Lou Williams shared some interesting insight about why it’s difficult for the Toronto Raptors to keep players.
The Raptors just won their first championship in franchise history and are trying to convince Kawhi Leonard to remain with them rather than sign elsewhere. Williams, a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner, played for the Raptors in the 2014-15 season. During an appearance on “The No Chill Podcast” with Gilbert Arenas and Mike Botticello, Williams provided some excellent insight about American players in Toronto.
“Once you’re there, you’ll love playing for the Raptors, you’ll love playing for the country. But that fourth, fifth month into the season, you’re like ‘goddamn, I want to go home,'” Williams said.
“Because when you play in Toronto, you feel like you’re playing overseas. We can’t wait to go on the road sometimes, just to be in America. It’s like little s— you don’t think of. Channels on your TV, phone bill, you got to get a Canadian bank account. S— like that that people don’t think about. That s— is hard. And if you have kids, you’re raising your kids in Canada.
“One you’re there, you’re like ‘oh, this is dope.’ But the hard part is keeping guys.”
Williams played just the one season for the Raptors, winning his first Sixth Man of the Year award that season. They didn’t offer him a contract to return, and he signed a 3-year, $21 million deal with the Lakers instead.
As for Leonard, he’s believed to be deciding between the Raptors and Clippers, though the Lakers reportedly think they have a chance too.
Below is a clip of Williams’ comments, but beware of the curse words.
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