Toronto Raptors and the risk that was most definitely worth taking

Prior to the 2018-19 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors took a gamble in acquiring Kawhi Leonard on what was, potentially, a one-year rental. Almost a year later, the Raptors have just been crowned NBA Champions, proving the risk is always worth taking.

Maybe it has not sunk in yet for many fans around the world, but the Toronto Raptors are NBA Champions for the first time in franchise history. A truly historic moment in the history of the sport, the Raptors are the first team outside of the USA to win a ring.

It took a lot to get to this point, though. A lot of hardship, a lot of pain, suffering, learning, and hard work. It was all worth it in the end.

Risks were also taken too. Dwane Casey was fired and replaced by his assistant coach, Nick Nurse. Long-time franchise hero and Raptor great, DeMar DeRozan, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs for a haul of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.

We all know the story of Leonard’s 2017-18 season. Let’s not dwell on it.

The acquisition of Leonard was viewed as a one-year rental with moderate upside. He would make the team actively better and an immediate title contender, sure, but was always viewed as a flight-risk with his heart supposedly set on the green pastures and bright lights of L.A.

DeRozan had given the Raptors his best years, and by comparison, their best years as a franchise. But the ceiling was evident. Toronto could only go so far with DeRozan at the helm. For all of his inconsistencies, DeMar improved his game year after year, until the point where he became of relevant value where the Raptors could take a gamble on a superstar.

The superstar was Kawhi Leonard.

And he laid it all on the line for the Raptors, especially in the postseason where it really mattered. The Raptors and their medical staff took the concerted approach to Leonard in the regular season, resting him on one-half of back-to-backs and, as the famous phrase now goes, they managed Kawhi’s load all season.

They kept him on a leash in the regular season to let him loose in the playoffs. Leonard averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, shooting at a 61-percent true-shooting percentage.

He was a different animal, winning his second Finals MVP award in the process. Kawhi willed the Raptors to victory night in, and night out, leading the Raptors to their first ever title with some crazy moments along the way.

It was always a risk, though. No one knew the extent of Leonard’s injury heading into the season, he could have been a shell of himself had he been handled differently.

Giving up on happy consistency to pursue a once in a lifetime opportunity doesn’t sound like a lot, but the margin of error was thin, and the Raptors doubled down and put all their chips onto the table in February.

Their core was strong but acquiring Marc Gasol tipped the scales entirely in the Raptors favor. The passing became slicker and Toronto now possessed a strong and potential All-NBA caliber defender at all five positions.

The risk was still there, could Gasol be integrated into the team quickly enough? And, even at age 34, could Gasol shine on the largest stage.

He could.

Gasol made life hell for All-Star centers Nikola Vucevic, Joel Embiid, and DeMarcus Cousins, proving that he was still one of the best big men in the game, even if his offense wavered at times. The Raptors wouldn’t have won this title without him.

Risks are necessary for life. They allow us to dream bigger while keeping us grounded. Toronto knew they had something special on the cards with this team. Just like Masai Ujiri said: “Believe in this city, believe in yourselves.”

The man who brought the team together knew he was taking a risk. But he knew just how big the reward would be.