Pressure can push individuals and teams to reveal higher performance when stakes are high. The Toronto Raptors face elevated organizational expectations to exit their rebuild under MLSE and newly-promoted Bobby Webster. The franchise traded Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers and OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks while centering the rebuild on Scottie Barnes. The team also acquired Brandon Ingram at the February trade deadline. NBA reporting indicates MLSE has given formal direction to accelerate the rebuild's end. Projections still place the Raptors near the East's lower tier, and insufficient improvement could trigger significant shakeups.
I genuinely believe in the saying " Pressure makes diamonds," even if it sounds a bit cheesy to some. I wouldn't suggest deliberately seeking out stressful situations, but it's hard to ignore that when something important is on the line - no matter what it is - the outcome often favors those who are motivated to give their best in light of the circumstances. Sometimes, it's that pressure that helps us tap into our true potential.
... but it comes also at an interesting time now where the Raptors have definitely been given some type of formal pressure, some type of direction from their new leadership of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) to kind of end this sort of rebuild era they've been in post-Kawhi Leonard and and Kyle Lowry departing the franchise, post-2019 championship. You know,
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