(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard’s brief stint with the Toronto Raptors was as bizarre as it was legendary.
Of all the possible places, the Raptors seemed like a long shot to land the disgruntled forward.
Masai Ujiri pulled off one of the coldest and most shocking moves in recent NBA history by trading away franchise great DeMar DeRozan to get Leonard, and it didn’t take long before the results proved him right.
Leonard — and a great supporting cast and a well-coached team — went on to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, also taking down Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and the Golden State Warriors to prevent them from winning three titles in a row.
That’s why Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson believes that even if Leonard left the Raptors in the offseason, the team should give him a statue (via Run Your League and Legion Hoops).
Cam Johnson on Kawhi Leonard:
“He really pulled up to Toronto, didn’t speak, won a chip, and dipped…That’s legendary… Legends get statues.”
Does Kawhi deserve a statue in Toronto?
(via Run Your Race / @TidalLeague) pic.twitter.com/8gWXPau6sO
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 8, 2023
Leonard has a strong case for being the greatest player to ever play for that franchise, which doesn’t mean he’s the greatest Raptor ever.
Judging by the team’s story and looking at how much they’ve struggled to become a powerhouse again, Leonard’s tenure there is only more impressive and remarkable.
He’s not a common guy, and he’s never talked about his days in Toronto and likely never will.
But even the most careless player in the league should be humbled and honored to get that kind of honor, and that’ll be an interesting debate for Raptors fans to have for years to come.
The post Nets Player Says Kawhi Leonard Deserves A Statue From 1 Former Team appeared first on The Cold Wire.