Raptors Give Kawhi Leonard an Awesome Ring Ceremony

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Kawhi Leonard received his championship ring in a short but sweet ceremony.

(PHOTO CREDIT: Ron Turenne/Getty Images.)

Considering where they were in the summer of 2018, the situation couldn’t get any more perfect last season for both the Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard.

The Raptors were in a crossroads. For three straight seasons, they couldn’t get over the hump despite having excellent regular seasons. The hump was called LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors were embarrassed by two straight postseason sweeps.

Kawhi Leonard, who was supposed to be the heir to the San Antonio Spurs dynasty had a quadriceps injury that became a hotly debated subject within the organization. Finally, a trade request was made and while there were reports that he wanted to go to Los Angeles, they sent him (and Danny Green) up north to Toronto in exchange for the Raptor centerpiece DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 first round pick who turned out to be Keldon Johnson from Kentucky (he has only played a total of 139 seconds in the NBA).

It was hard for both parties. Obviously, it is extremely tough to trade away a Raptors star who had given everything to that organization. Plus it was no secret that DeRozan was best friends with the other Raptors star, Kyle Lowry. It is never easy to make a transaction like that. But the team had to make sure Lowry was happy while, at the same time, welcome Kawhi, who is a notoriously hard read because he’s as emotional as an android.

Leonard was likely to be a one-year rental for Toronto. The Raptors hoped (especially with LeBron James fleeing to Los Angeles) that they would get a championship run out of this. Of course, Kawhi has been there before but could he lead this bunch that had been heartbroken many times in the postseason? Plus could ANOTHER rookie coach help guide the way to a championship?

They went through it all. They made the term load management vogue as they made sure Kawhi was healthy for a playoff run. They managed to go 58-24 while Kawhi played only 60 games. They saw the emergence of eventual Most Improved Player winner Pascal Siakam. They got Marc Gasol in a midseason trade.

Then they had the magical playoff run. They withstood an early loss to Orlando. They got the miracle shot from Kawhi. They overcame MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. And then they unseated the defending champion Golden State Warriors as their players dropped like its Battle Royale. The one-year rental worked to perfection.

The Raptors fans understood that this was the situation. If he stayed in Canada, great. But if he left, they could only thank him for helping them get the elusive championship. We know Kawhi left but the Raptors were also ready for it. The emergence of Siakam and Fred VanVleet softened the blow. And nearly most of the veterans from the title team returned. It’s why the Raptors held Kawhi in such reverence. And Kawhi appreciated the way the Raptors treated him.

Look at this ceremony:

(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)

I love that they recreated his iconic shot against Philly.

It was like a hero’s welcome for Kawhi. It was great. The ceremony gave me chills. And it was just perfect that Kyle Lowry, who has become the player that has symbolized the Raptors the most, was the one to present Kawhi with the ring.

And then it was right back to business for Kawhi as he led the Clippers to a blowout win over his old team. Life in the NBA moves fast.

Bullet Passes

I don’t know if this will actually put Devonte’ Graham more in the spotlight but we had been telling you about him. He went for 40 points in a big Charlotte win over Brooklyn.

James Harden is at it again. The Rockets withstood a huge run from the Cavs (22 unanswered points) and survived when Harden scored ANOTHER 55 points. Let’s see the game-highs in points this season:

Damian Lillard: 60 (11/08 v BRK, L)
James Harden: 60 (11/30 v ATL, W)
James Harden: 59 (10/30 @ WAS, W)
James Harden: 55 (12/11 @ CLE, W)
D’Angelo Russell: 52 (11/08 @ MIN, L)

Not hard to see the names on that list.

Kemba Walker scored 44 points himself against Indiana but the Pacers had a huge fourth quarter to come back and win from 10 down.

There was no Giannis Antetokounmpo on Wednesday night but it didn’t matter. The Bucks STILL won going away against the weak New Orleans Pelicans, who can’t seem to win a game at this point. That makes it 16 straight wins for the Bucks.

Not to be outdone, the Lakers kept pace and beat the Magic in Orlando. Holding the Magic to 9 points in the first quarter certainly helped matters.

D’Angelo Russell made a corner three to send the game to overtime (which the Warriors would eventually lose to the lowly Knicks).

Warriors play-by-play announcer Bob Fitzgerald was REALLY vehement about the Knicks fouling up three.

I know a lot of people LOVE fouling up three with seconds left so that they can send them to the foul line.

I say the clock is your friend. Why extend the game? Too many things can happen. Like missing a free throw when the opposing team fouls them back? Teams can guard for like… seven seconds.

In the play where D’Angelo made the three (click the link above, dude), Mitchell Robinson didn’t even try to swarm him. He gave D’Angelo space. And it was just enough for the three to be made.

Still, the Knicks won. People acted like it was the worst game played this year. I mean, yeah, their records stink but it was far from the worst game I’ve seen this season.

Two nights after Nemanja Bjelica beat the Rockets with a game-winning three, it was Bogdan Bogdanovic‘s turn to be clutch.