In Sept. 2018, Kyle Lowry asserted that his main goal for the 2018-19 season was to 'try to win a gold ball.' In June 2019, that goal was achieved as he and the Raptors won the first NBA title in franchise history after defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Now, over a year later, the Raptors roster looks much different but their All-Star point guard's main goal remains the same; he shared his aspirations as he spoke with the media during the Toronto Raptors media day.
It didn't take long for Lowry to set the bar for the upcoming season, as the opening question he received was regarding what he was looking to get out of the year after an eventful summer for the franchise to which he quickly responded: "Another championship."
"I mean it's always the same goal for me," Lowry continued, "I'm motivated even more than ever now. Getting a taste of it, you always want to continue to grow and continue to get it, and you want to continue to get that feeling. It's an unexplainable feeling but you want it."
Another pressing topic surrounding Lowry is his impending free agency as he enters the final year of his contract with the Raptors, something he maintains is an ongoing conversation he'll leave to his agent, saying: "I'm not really worried about the free agency thing."
The five-time All-Star added: "My representation has been talking to them about doing something and nothing's been – obviously, (nothing's been) taken care of, but it's an ongoing conversation. For me, it's just going out here and doing my job like I always do, be a true professional and lead the best I can like I've always done."
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As for the job he's done, Lowry is entering his eighth season as a Raptor, making him the longest-tenured member of the roster. Earlier in the day, Raptors president Masai Ujiri took time out to emphasize the point guard's legacy with the franchise, a point to which Lowry acknowledged as well, saying
"I think it's been a long time. I've been here the longest now. I've been through the ups, downs. I was able to help bring a championship here from the times where they were talking about tanking for certain players. I'm not saying I'm the sole reason but I feel like I have a big part of it."
Even after hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in front of millions of fans at the championship parade in June, Lowry said he thinks being a champion won't fully set in until the ring ceremony on opening night: "I think that's when it's going to finally hit me. I still haven't kind of let it sink in as much but I think when the banner rises and the rings come on that's where you kinda really feel it."
After media day, the Raptors head to Quebec City for training camp before opening preseason play against the Houston Rockets in Japan. Lowry and the Raptors will receive their rings and watch their championship banner rise to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 22 when they host No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.
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