Vasquez: I’m not a loser

Despite having already clinched a playoff berth, the vibe around the Toronto Raptors is much different compared to a year ago.

Last season the Raptors were on a high, heading into the postseason playing well with a fairly healthy roster.  This time, however, Toronto is struggling with their starting point guard – and best player – Kyle Lowry being sidelined with a nagging back injury.

With Lowry’s playoff status possibly being up in the air, Greivis Vasquez could very well be the man head coach Dwane Casey looks toward to help fill the void.

“I’m here to do whatever it takes to help the team win games and if I have to start or come off the bench, that’s what I got to do. I don’t mind at all,” said Vasquez, who paid a visit to TSN to promote his new exclusive edition of the ClutchFit Drive shoe, dubbed The North Six.

Despite connecting with a career-high six three-pointers against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, 2014-15 has been an up-and-down year for the 28-year-old Venezuelan.  Vasquez is averaging 9.5 points and 3.6 assists per game - which are fairly similar numbers to last season - but he has seen his field goal, three point and free throw percentages all drop.

“Last year I had one particular role and this year I’ve had like one, two, three, four different roles. It really put me in a situation where I haven’t been able to be as efficient as I was last year,” said Vasquez.

“I’m built for this. I’ll face any struggle. I’m not a loser. I’m not a complainer. I’m not going to coaches or people in management and say ‘I want to do this because that’s what I did last year.’ Every year teams are different. If I have to be the one taking the hit and adjusting to whatever the coaches want, I’ll do it.”

The Raptors started this season on fire, going 24-8 through Dec. 30, with talk of an Eastern Conference championship being a possibility. Once the calendar turned to 2015, things were different. Toronto is 18-22 in 2015 and has lost 10 straight contests to teams above .500.

Even with the poor team play, especially on defence, Vasquez has faith in this group.

“We’re struggling, but it’s part of life. You got to struggle and we have to embrace the struggle and face it and try to get better,” he said.

“Last year we needed to struggle in the playoffs because we didn’t have any experience as a team. So now we’re experiencing something different that’s really going to get us somewhere else when the right time comes."

The talk around this Raptors squad has always been their team chemistry and how’s it’s made them better. Now with the recent struggles, it would be easy to imagine the good vibes off the court are faltering as well.

Not the case, says Vasquez.

“Our group is really tight. We got a great relationship. That’s what we need to do better on the court. We have to communicate a little bit better because we do it off the court so now we have to translate that on the court. That will help us defensively and offensively,” said Vasquez.

With the Raps currently in the fourth seed with 10 games remaining, a first round matchup with All-Star point guard John Wall and the Washington Wizards is a distinct possibility.

If Lowry is hurting, or unable to go at all, the general consensus could be that the Wizards might have the advantage in a seven-game series, especially at the point guard position. Vasquez says he likes it when he has doubters.

“Obviously John is a really good point guard. He’s an All-Star. At the same time, in the playoffs, you have to do it collectively. I don’t think John Wall can single handle us and win four games,” explained Vasquez.

“I like to be doubted. I want people to believe that’s he’s going to do all these things. I’m Ok with that. I learned how to fish a long time ago, so I know how to get this job done. We’ve just got to do it together as a team.”