Kawhi Leonard joined the Raptors reluctantly. As soon as he could, he left for a more glamorous L.A. market. His advisor and uncle, Dennis Robertson, reportedly made unreasonable requests of Toronto on the way out the door.
This has all the ingredients of the typical “superstar departs, becomes villain” story.
Except the big mitigating factor: Leonard led the Raptors to the franchise’s lone championship after they spent years coming up short.
Now with the Clippers, Leonard will return to Toronto tonight.
Josh Lewenberg of TSN:
Kawhi on what he's expecting from Raptors fans tonight: "I mean there will be some cheers but definitely I think more boos because they want to win the game. They're not going to be cheering for a player that's on the opposing team."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 11, 2019
I think Leonard will be dead wrong. I expect fans to show their appreciation for everything he helped Toronto accomplish.
Of course, they would have preferred he stayed. But he did everything they could have dreamed during his lone season, including playing hurt while carrying the Raptors over the finish line.
Toronto is still riding high. The tribute video is ready.
Everything is set for Raptors fans to shower Leonard with applause tonight.