The Toronto Raptors are one win away from making history, and so it’s understandable that their fans couldn’t sleep the night before Game 5.
The Toronto Raptors have a chance in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals to do the unthinkable. They could unseat the Golden State Warriors dynasty in a relatively short series. Not a lot of people saw this coming.
The fans in Canada have been phenomenal for the entire playoffs, and they made their way out to Jurassic Park last night to get a good spot. Raptors president Masai Ujiri came out to show them his appreciation.
Ujiri drew some criticism last summer for the Kawhi Leonard trade. Some asked: why would you trade an All-Star caliber shooting guard on a long contract for a player who could leave you hanging in the summer of 2019?
This is why.
Leonard has drawn some comparisons to Michael Jordan for the way he plays on both ends of the floor and dominates the midrange game. His numbers speak volumes. He is currently averaging 31.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Leonard could become the only player other than Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon to win both Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP twice during a career.
Ujiri will eat and drink for free in Canada (as will Kawhi) for life if the Raptors can close this thing out. Kevin Durant’s possible return tonight could throw a wrench into the parade plans though, and no one, especially no one on the Raptors, expects the Warriors to go out quietly.
“We didn’t do nothing yet,” Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry said after Game 4. “We haven’t done anything. We won three games. It’s the first of four. We understand that. They’re the defending champs, and they’re not going to go out easy.”
The Washington Wizards are reportedly putting together an impressive offer to pry Ujiri away from the Raptors, but the only way that guy is leaving Toronto is if Leonard does too. An ownership stake was mentioned by Yahoo Sports, much like the situation Jordan had with the Wizards back in the day.
It’s hard to imagine, though, that Ujiri would leave the type of adoration he’ll receive if this team goes all the way.