Kyle Lowry says coming “home” to Toronto will always be tough.
The former Raptors guard talked about the emotional roller-coaster of returning to city he called home for nine years ahead of the Miami Heat’s game Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.
“Nah… It’s always great to come home, always great to be here, always great to be in the city. [But] I don’t think it gets any easier,” Lowry said, after Miami’s morning shootaround. “I think you get a little bit more comfortable.
“Last year was definitely a lot of butterflies.”
Lowry became the cornerstone of the Raptors’ franchise through his nine seasons in Toronto, instilling a scrappy, workmanlike mentality the team rode to the 2019 NBA championship. He was traded to Miami — a mutual decision between he and Toronto — in the 2021 off-season.
Lowry’s first time back in Toronto — a 114-109 Heat victory on April 23 — included a long pre-game celebration and ovation from the crowd.
“Tonight, I’m sure I’ll get a good ovation but it’s a little bit different because it’s not my first time,” he said Wednesday.
WATCH | Raptors pay tribute to Lowry in 1st game back:
A video of Lowry’s Raptors career highlights was shown before fans showered him with love in Toronto.
The 36-year-old, who raised his sons Karter and Kameron in Toronto, was greeted by the city’s first snowfall of the season on Tuesday evening. He was bundled up in a bulky Canada Goose parka after shootaround.
The Raptors split a pair of games in Miami in late October, so Lowry had already had the opportunity to visit with Toronto players and staff then. Wednesday was about visiting everybody else at Scotiabank Arena.
“When I come back here, being able to see the elevator workers, security guys and the familiar faces who don’t travel,” Lowry said. “That’s the most important thing. And then seeing the fans that you normally see when I played here. Those are the people I’m looking forward to seeing.”
Lowry arrives on the heels of hitting 2,000 career three-pointers. He’s the 12th player in NBA history to make that many, hitting the milestone shot in a 113-112 comeback win over Phoenix on Monday.
“Yeah, a lot of [threes],” he said. “I never thought I’d be there but I’m here now. It’s a great accomplishment but like I always say, I’ll look at my accomplishments when I’m done and retired. It’s cool to get some acknowledgement but, for now, let’s go and try to get some more wins.”
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