After nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors, veteran point guard Kyle Lowry is starting fresh with the Miami Heat.
A sign-and-trade to the Heat ended the most successful period of Lowry's career, becoming the greatest Raptor of all-time while also bringing the city of Toronto and country of Canada its first NBA title.
“It’s a different uniform, different city, different atmosphere, different people around,” Lowry said. “So, yeah, there’s definitely adjustments and kind of figuring things out. ... It’s different for me and my career, but it’s the next chapter to be written.”
As a 15-year veteran, the goal remains the same – win a championship.
“I’m going into another year. I’m going into Year 16; not many people could say that. Playing for an organization like this and playing with some players like this, our goal is to win a championship. And that’s the only goal there should be.”
MORE: First look at Lowry with the Miami Heat
The Heat are coming off an up-and-down year in 2020-21, finishing with a 40-32 record before getting swept in the first round by the eventual champion-Milwaukee Bucks. However, with three championships in its relatively short history of 30 years, Miami is also fresh off of a Finals appearance in 2020 and has even higher title aspirations with the addition of Lowry.
Member of the franchise are certainly excited with what the veteran brings to the team, harping on the pace he plays with to fit what the Heat are trying to accomplish offensively.
"Getting easy baskets and generating a pace where guys will run and know they will get the ball," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "His pace is one of the things I dreaded most competing against him."
Adebayo reiterated Spoelstra's perspective on Lowry's pace while the former Raptor, knowing well what he brings to the team, made his intentions clear, "I don't plan on slowing down."
this is gonna be fun@Bam1of1 x @Klow7 x @JimmyButler pic.twitter.com/Zjdc1f9SmV
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) September 27, 2021
Lowry has certainly gone on to garner more respect around the league since winning the NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019. He anticipates that his experience and savviness would help benefit his new Heat teammates on the court.
"I think I'm much more cerebral as a player now," Lowry said.
Lowry will make his debut for the Heat in their opener against the defending champion Bucks on Oct. 21 in Miami, while his return to Toronto is slated for Feb. 3.
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