The Toronto Raptors Are 1 Game Away from Their First NBA Championship
What a run it has been for the Toronto Raptors. It all started with one of the biggest risk in NBA history by the team trading away a beloved Raptor, DeMar DeRozan, to the San Antonio Spurs for superstar player, Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is going to be a free agent this off-season and for most of the season, it looked like that both parties were only going to be together for one year. However, with the team one game away from the team’s first NBA Championship, I believe that might change.
Kawhi Leonard has been remarkable this post-season. He has been on a tear, leading his team on this championship run. In game 4, he shot 50% from the field, finishing with 36 points. He is averaging just over 30 ppg in this NBA Final. The series has really been one-sided and with Kevin Durant having a difficult time returning to the line-up, the Raptors are in the driver seat. The only hope I see the Warriors coming back in this series is Kevin Durant.
1. Toronto won 13 of the 16 quarters this series. None of this is a fluke. They’ve been better the whole time save for Game 2 third quarter.
2. Kawhi is 31-10-4 for the Finals and 31-9-4 / 50-38-89% for the whole playoffs. Also – he doesn’t exactly suck on D. What a run.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 8, 2019
This off-season will be crazy if the Raptors go on to win the 2019 NBA Finals. The question will be if Leonard stays or moves on from Toronto. There have been reports that Leonard has bought a house in Toronto, leaving Raptor fans in high hopes.
Leonard has really built something special in Toronto. If they win, it would be a real shame if Leonard decides to leave the franchise. I do believe if this team ultimately takes cares of business and defeat the defending NBA champions, then Leonard will sign a long-term deal with the Raptors. The worst thing that could happen for this franchise, obviously, blowing the 3-1 lead and Kawhi Leonard decides to leave the Raptors. I just don’t see that happening. This series resumes for Game 5 Monday night at 9pm in Toronto.
–Zachary Connell (@ZackConnell2)