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How the Raptors’ love for Kawhi Leonard reflects Clipper Nation

By Joey Linn

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors speaks with the media following his teams victory over the Golden State Warriors to winGame Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors speaks with the media following his teams victory over the Golden State Warriors to winGame Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Clippers Kawhi Leonard
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Clippers Kawhi Leonard /

Fun Guy is in town.

For the first time since the Championship Parade, Kawhi Leonard returned to the city he immortalized himself in. After making the decision to return home to Southern California and join the Los Angeles Clippers, Kawhi left behind a city still showering in champagne and confetti.

In just one year of service, Kawhi Leonard brought a lifetime of riches to a city previously plagued by heartbreak and letdown.

The occasions where a player of Kawhi’s caliber decides to leave in free agency, nearly always guarantees a lifetime of disdain from that team’s fanbase. In the case of Kawhi, quite the opposite is true. Contrary to all commonalities, not only is Kawhi still respected by the Toronto fans, but he is heralded as an immortal legend across the entire country.

The only way such an occurrence is possible would be through the perfect storm. A perfect storm is exactly the way to describe Kawhi’s one-year relationship with the city of Toronto.

When the word got around that Kawhi Leonard wanted out of San Antonio, all signs pointed towards one of the two Los Angeles teams making a deal for the superstar forward. Why was this?

Leonard only had one year remaining on his contract, and the rumor was that his only interest in re-signing would be it meant staying in SoCal. Any team other than the Clippers or the Lakers to make a deal for Kawhi ran the risk of him leaving after just one season. For Masai Ujiri and the entire Toronto Raptors’ organization, Kawhi Leonard was worth that risk.

Let’s break down Leonard’s relationship with Toronto, and how it reflects the Los Angeles Clippers.

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