Remember back in July, when the Raptors organization decided to trade our most beloved star in Demar Derozan, a player whose vicious slams but calm personality had won the heart of all Toronto in his 9 year stay?
We were all shocked. The majority of us were furious, disgusted, enraged at the lack of disloyalty shown in the move. This man had been on the team his whole career and just like that he was just gone? All of Toronto was in a fit, sharpening our pitchforks, ready to storm right into the GM's office. We were going to kick all our Canadian kindness to the side...Until we saw who was coming. The Silent Killer, the Claw himself, Mr Kawhi Leonard. Don't me wrong we were all still sad and hurt over Derozan, and as much as we love the guy this was an obvious upgrade. It's like getting kicked of the one bedroom apartment you've been living in for 9 years, and immediately getting the keys to a place in the Hamptons. Yes you had memories in that apartment. You saw yourself grow and evolve as a human being in that place and it will always have a special place in your heart. But come on, it's the Hamptons we're talking about. Not saying that Derozan is the NBA equivalent of a one bedroom apartment, but he wasn't equal to a mansion. Kawhi is.
Honestly, I could see and understand the logic behind the move. Demar and the Raptors, though they had outstanding regular seasons, always failed in the playoffs (to Lebron James to be exact but that's for another day). They were doing the same thing again and again expecting a different outcome, which is literally insane. Of course, the move was tough but by Odin's Beard was it necessary.
Fast forward. Go past a few amazing pre-season games, extremely awkward laughs (
Kawhi Leanord becomes a free agent at the end of the season, which has left the city of Toronto anxious. The big topic throughout the year has been whether the Claw will stay or go. Have the city and the franchise done enough to please this man or will he packs his bags a go to L.A like so many have speculated.
If it isn't obvious, I'm a Raptors fan, forever and always, but I promise I'm not being biased when I say - Why would he leave? He's in a great competitive climate with the Raptors, and while the team had a shot at the playoffs with Derozan, they have a true shot at the Finals with Kawhi.
In addition to that, we also have an amazing bench with rookies and young players that are starting to come into their own quite nicely, à la Pascal Siakam who is a top contender for Most Improved Player of the Year. We also have an all-star caliber player in Kyle Lowry who isn't ball dominant like most other superstars in this league. In fact he is currently 2nd in assists this year, which means that Kawhi is the main offensive focus. Who wouldn't want that. The only thing Toronto lacks is nice, warm weather, but I'm sure he's used to it by now. Everything else on the checklist is marked. All we can hope is that Kawhi recognizes and appreciates his current situation when decision time comes.