Recently, I went to a Philadelphia 76ers game in which VJ Edgecombe and Paul George were both sidelined with injury. Even with two key players missing in a game the Sixers lost by more than 40, Kyle Lowry wasn't even _close_ to entering the game.
The few, brave, scary fans who stayed for all 48 minutes were literally chanting, "We want Kyle," throughout the fourth quarter, but the Toronto Raptors legend stayed on the bench. Hell, [Lowry was barely even in](https://raptorsrapture.com/kyle-lowry-trade-full-circle-funniest-way-possible-precious-achiuwa-miami-heat) the Sixers' huddle during timeouts — he was shooting backwards halfcourt shots with Franklin, the team's horrifying humanoid dog mascot.
Okay, that's not actually true, but Lowry did look very confident that he was never getting into the game. That's a fair assumption most nights, actually, as Lowry has appeared in just two games this year.
Frankly, that's okay! Lowry, now 39 years old, is likely in the final season of a stellar NBA career, which peaked in Toronto in 2019 with an NBA title. Lowry has nothing left to prove, of course, and seems to be embracing his role as Unc on a Sixers team with a young, talented backcourt.
Kyle Lowry is on his maiden voyage in the NBA
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I can't say for certain this is Lowry's final season in the NBA, but it's trending toward that reality. Lowry re-signing with the Sixers was a bit of a surprise, but it never hurts to have veteran insurance on the bench if things get wacky, as they tend to do in Philadelphia.
Lowry also signed a deal to become an analyst with Amazon Prime when he finishes playing, which is kind of hilarious. What other job allows you to sign an employment contract somewhere else without having a date you're going to leave? Work smarter, not harder, I guess?
If that's the case, and this is Lowry's final hurrah, then who can blame him for simply chilling on the Sixers bench? Let Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe do the hard work. Lowry deserves some rest after a career that spanned two decades, included six All-Star appearances, and a ring in The Six.
It's not possible to put Lowry too high on your list of all-time Raptors. Not possible! No one would argue with you having him at No. 1, and if they do, then they weren't outside in the backhalf of the 2010s when Lowry tried his darndest every day to represent the city well. And he did just that.