74 reasons why Kawhi Leonard is staying with the Toronto Raptors

Kawhi Leonard delivered a magical season for the Toronto Raptors. Now comes the big question: will he stay? We can think of 74 reasons why he will!

“He Stay!” is a phrase Toronto Raptors fans would love to utter as a fact, not simply as a wish. Kawhi Leonard just completed a dream season for the franchise: winning an NBA Championship by dethroning the dynasty, the Golden State Warriors.

Entering the season, the Raptors were considerations, but far from the favorite to win the championship. The Boston Celtics were favored ahead of them, the Houston Rockets were favored ahead of them, and the Golden State Warriors were certainly favored ahead of them.

Kawhi led the Raptors to second-place in the East entering the playoffs, despite only playing 60 games thanks to “load management”.  While they stumbled yet again to begin the postseason, the Raptors gutted their way through the playoffs.

It was a historic performance from Kawhi as he averaged 30.5 points in the playoffs and scored the third-most points in a single playoff run. The only two ahead of him? Michael Jordan in 1992 and LeBron James in 2018.

That the Golden State Warriors got hurt and Kawhi cooled off a bit in the NBA Finals didn’t diminish anything. Fact is, Kawhi led one of the NBA’s worst playoff franchises and turned them into an overnight winner.

Toronto, along with the rest of Canada, were swept by basketball fever. Or rather, by Kawhi fever beginning with his iconic “The Shot” against the Philadelphia 76ers, the first-ever walk-off Game 7 buzzer-beater.

Whether Kawhi leaves or says, he is already a legend in the city. He is already the greatest Raptor of all time. And not even the grumpiest or most cynical of Raptors fans can hate on him for doing what he feels is best.

Kawhi can leave and head back home to Los Angeles. But there are more than enough reasons—74, after the total amount of Raptors wins in 2018-19—where HE STAY!

74. Key to the City

Mayor John Tory entrusted Kawhi with one of the most precious gifts you could ever receive – a key to the city, officially branding Kawhi as the man of Toronto. Maybe he’ll run for mayor next?

73. Customized Library Card

More like, “Board Man gets Books (and music, movies, and free WiFi).”

72. Trudeau > Trump

The honeymoon period may have worn off with most Canadians, but they’d probably still keep him over whatever the heck our neighbors to the south are dealing with.

71. Cargojet sponsorship

Kawhi Leonard just signed a sponsorship with Canadian-based airway company. He didn’t really sign a deal just for the money, right? He must truly believe in the product, right?

70. Canadian Beer > American Beer

More flavourful, better alcohol content, better designed, need we keep going on?

69. Winter is Fun – Really!

Everyone likes to bemoan how cold it gets in Toronto (or Canada), but there plenty of fun things to do during winter. From hockey (see below) to ice skating to sledding – Kawhi and his family can “warm up” to this season.

68. A Growing Tech Hub

Toronto is a city of the future and the “Silicon Valley of Canada”. The city is a long way from matching its American counterpart, but the tech industry is growing steadily. Year after year, the tech talent in Toronto burgeons.

67. Hockey!

The coolest sport on ice isn’t just fun to watch or play, but it can be a great tool to help build Kawhi and the Raptors’ brands. With basketball fever overtaking the nation, Kawhi and the Raptors will sweep into the hockey world and further grow their influence.

66. Montreal is Just Down the Road

Just a few hours drive from Toronto, Montreal offers an alternative atmosphere that Kawhi might just fall in love with. There’s nothing quite like the city in North America. And it is the partying capital of Canada…

65. The Night Life

Canadians may be stereotyped as “nice”, “sorry”, and with funny accents, but we are low-key party animals. Toronto is a top Canadian destination for the nightlife, something Kawhi’s predecessor, Vince Carter, helped establish in the city.

64. World-Class Food Scene

But before the party, Kawhi has more than a fine selection of places to eat. Toronto is renowned as one of the top cities when it comes to extraordinary cuisine. Kojin Restaurant, Alo, and the newly opened Sushi Masaki-Saito are just a few examples of dining an MVP deserves.

63. The Wonderful Attractions

Since Kawhi is a low-key kind of guy and wants to avoid the partying scene for a bit, there are plenty of other things he and his family can do. The CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario, and Roy Thomson Hall are just a few places worth checking out.

62. Toronto Islands

If Kawhi wants even more seclusion, he can take a nice boat ride to the Toronto Islands. Just a few minutes away from the city, the islands are a chain of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario and offer a nice view of the city along with with a little bit more privacy from the busy city life.

61. All the Festivals

From Caribana to the Toronto International Film Fest to the Summer Music Fest, Toronto showcases its international flair with renowned festivals. There is always some type of festival happening in Toronto.

60. A Creative’s Haven

Toronto is a growing tech hub and a hockey city but it’s also filled with artists. Several districts within the city showcase the colourful character of the city and its residents and it’s perfect for Kawhi’s inner artist.

59. Vibrant City with Unique Neighbourhoods

No matter what personality, there’s a place for them in Toronto. The city itself is home to a variety of areas from the bohemian recesses of the Kensington Market to the tranquil Harbourfront area, there are many truly unique places for complex souls like Kawhi.

58. One of the Safest Cities

Despite the brief but disturbing shooting incident that took place during the Raptors’ championship celebration, Toronto is ranked as the fourth-safest city in the Safe Cities Index. Los Angeles is 18th in the rankings.

57. Quality of Life

Toronto isn’t just a safe city, but also ranked as one of the top-20 best cities in terms of quality of living according to Mercer. The city ranked 16th and the second in North America behind only Vancouver (3rd). Los Angeles ranked 66th.

56. Kawhactus

Nuff said

55. Canada is Basketball’s Home

In case you need to be reminded, basketball was invented by a Canadian: Sir James Naismith. The NBA Championship has come home with Kawhi Leonard.

54. Canada is a Model Nation

Canada was the most admired nation in the world for six to seven years. Although that reputation has taken a bit of a hit, the nation still ranks as a top-ten nation in terms of its international standing.

53. Canadians are Renowned Internationally

Speaking of international standing, Canadians have a better reputation overseas than their American counterparts. You’d hardly hear anyone who has beef with the Canadians – unless they had something against being overly polite and saying “eh”.

52. City of Winners

Boston may be the “City of Champions”, but Toronto is right behind its tail as a city ripe with winners. Outside of the Raptors, the Maple Leafs are a Stanley Cup contender and made the biggest free agency splash last season. The Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts have recently won championships. And the Toronto Blue Jays, the worst of the lot, still have the MLB’s most intriguing prospect.

They say winning rubs off on you, so why shouldn’t Kawhi surround himself in a winning atmosphere?

51. Cultural Diversity

Toronto is one of the world’s most multicultural places with over 200 ethnic groups and 140 languages spoken. Los Angeles is diverse too, but a recently released study shows that Toronto is the most ethnically diverse city in North America. There is literally a global audience within Toronto and this was showcased by the 1.5 million people who attended the parade.

50. Mental Health Advocacy

DeMar DeRozan made headlines two seasons ago when he spoke about mental health. This was a huge moment not just for DeRozan and the Raptors but for the NBA. It was a noble initiative and mirrored the progressive values of the city, something that will extend to how the franchise treats its employees.

49. The Canadian Media

The media often has a contentious relationship with NBA players in the way they sensationalize stories. Canadian media, especially Toronto sports media tend to get controversial with the players but they’ll be bowing before Kawhi Leonard.

Once critical of the Toronto franchises, the media will be Leonard’s personal cheerleaders. Big sports personalities like Tim and Sid and the Starters are also in his corner.

48. The Basketball Gods Said So

There is always a little bit of “luck” involved in winning a title and that’s no small thanks to the “Basketball Gods”. The Shot bounced into the basket, officials called it evenly, and the Warriors were torn apart by injuries. They paved the way for Kawhi to lead Toronto to a title so he can…

47. Continue to Grow Basketball Culture Around the Nation

Vince started it nearly two decades ago and Kawhi has taken it into new heights. Most children that witnessed the Raptors’ historic run will grow up playing basketball. The stage has been set. But if Kawhi stays and gives the franchise more hope for another run, the honeymoon will last a bit longer.

46. Toronto/Ontario is a Basketball Hotbed

Home to NBA players like Jamal Murray, Tristan Thompson, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Toronto has become a mecca for Canadian talent. Six Canadians were drafted this year with five coming from Ontario and four from the Greater Toronto Area including third-overall pick R.J. Barrett.

Kawhi and the Raptors’ championship run will undoubtedly create more bluechip prospects for the next decade potentially culminating in making Canada a true basketball power.

45. Help Toronto Push for a WNBA Team

Now would be the most opportune time for the WNBA to expand to Toronto. The city is ready for a WNBA team and Kawhi being a godfather-figure in setting this all up will only add to his legend. Toronto can be a hotbed of basketball talent for both boys and girls.

44. Canadian Prices

Must be nice to get paid in American dollars and spend in Canadian, especially with the exchange rate trending towards the US side.

43. Business is Great – Invest

Like its tech and financial sectors, Toronto keeps growing as a city. Even if Kawhi didn’t plan on staying, buying a condo would be a good investment. But staying in Toronto gives him and his team more opportunity to do business in person.

42. Ka’Wine and Dine

Kawhi may never have to pay for food in the city. Yes, he’ll probably get the same deal in Los Angeles. But Toronto cuisine is much more diverse. And you get authentic poutine here.

41. Los Angeles Isn’t Going Anywhere

Kawhi may be homesick, but Los Angeles isn’t on top of a space ship with a countdown timer ready to leave Earth for the next three million years. Los Angeles will still be on the map whether Kawhi stays for one, two, or five years in Toronto. And he can always visit during the offseason.

40. Toronto “Gets” Him

Kawhi is the NBA’s most enigmatic superstar and that’s a great thing. But while many outside Toronto would ignore him or find him strange, the city embraced him as one of their own. Toronto is an eclectic city where the uncanny are not just accepted but celebrated. This is where Kawhi Leonard belongs.

39. Los Angeles Will Be Too Distracting

Hollywood is in L.A. for a reason. Many prolific sports media are also here including Fox Sports’s The Herd and Undisputed, hence why so many of them are in favour of Kawhi coming to L.A. The proximity would allow them to drum up more controversy about Leonard if they see fit.

Kawhi will be more scrutinized in a media spectacle, but not in a good way. Playing close to the family can also be distracting.

38. “Just Another Superstar in L.A.”

But as scrutinized as Leonard will be in L.A., he will also be sharing the spotlight with other superstars, most notably LeBron James. Whereas Kawhi will be the guy in Toronto (and Canada), he would just be “another superstar”. He could even be the 1B to LeBron’s 1A. And that’s because he’s playing with the…

37. Clippers: The “B Team” of L.A.

It doesn’t matter if the Clippers become a better team than the Lakers. They will always be L.A.’s second choice. Even when the Clippers were “Lob City”, they were more known for their injuries and playoff failures.

36. The Clippers are Cursed

Name a superstar, or anyone close to being an MVP-calibre player that played for the Clippers that didn’t incur some type of misfortune or injury. Chris Paul? Blake Griffin? Elton Brand? Danny Manning? Not to mention being one of only two teams with no conference finals appearances and the longest streak of not making the postseason. The list goes on.

Perhaps you could call the Raptors cursed prior to Kawhi coming to town. If so, he’s already defeated one curse here. Does he really want to take on another one?

35. Build a Bigger and Better Kawhi Leonard Brand

Canada is nowhere near the size of America in terms of its economy. But Kawhi has a solid shot to land more endorsement deals as Canadian giants like Tim Hortons, Magna International, and the Toronto-based financial and insurance companies take notice of him.

34. Continue to Be a Trendsetter

Masai Ujiri, Nick Nurse, and Bobby Webster all took big risks and innovated with the Raptors. The result? The Raptors solved the Golden State Warriors, shut down the top offense in the Milwaukee Bucks, and won an NBA title without a lottery pick. From the trades to the defensive schemes to “load management”, the Raptors showed a new brand of basketball that made everyone notice.

33. Load Management

Kawhi played his best basketball in the playoffs thanks to being kept fresh during the regular season. “Load Management” will now be something more teams will incorporate. Paired with physiotherapist wiz Alex McKechnie, maybe the Raptors find more revolutionary ways to maximize Kawhi’s, and the rest of the team’s, physical primacy.

32. There is More Stability (Short-Term) with the Raptors

Unlike the Clippers who have a ton of moving pieces and no notable core, the Raptors already have one – a championship-winning one. Kawhi is already familiar with the team, and if he asks, they can run back the exact same squad next season.

31. The King of the North

What is the mayor of a city to the leader of a nation? Kawhi Leonard is Canada’s very own basketball king. Wherever he goes, Canadian fans are sure to follow. The Raptors parade grew to upwards of 1.5 million thanks to fans from coast-to-coast flying. From Vancouver to Halifax, Canada loves Kawhi.

30. Raptors Fans are the Best in the NBA

Raptors fans are raucous, rambunctious, and relentless. Raptors Nation created Jurassic Park and mini-versions of it around the country. A game in the Scotiabank Arena is like the March Madness. The Raptors fanbase is unlike any other in the NBA.

Sure, there were many bad apples like the ones who cheered when Durant got hurt or the ones who started fights or the ones who trashed police vehicles. But there were no preliminary arrests during the Raptors’ championship moments. No riots. No foul play.

Kawhi won’t find this level of respect and rabidness in any other fanbase. Particularly the Clippers, who have approximately four die-hard fans.

29. An Easier Path to the NBA Finals

The East is not a chump conference, but it isn’t a gauntlet like the West either. With LeBron and Anthony Davis creating the new super team with the Lakers, does Leonard really want that smoke? Playing in the East, Kawhi only has the Bucks and the Sixers to tangle with (if they even stay intact). There’s a reason LeBron made eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances.

28. The East Gets Weaker

Speaking of staying intact, the Raptors’ top competition could be missing critical pieces this coming season. The Bucks could lose Khris Middleton, their second-best player. The Sixers may not be able to re-sign both Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler. And the Celtics… at least they still have Jayson Tatum.

27. Free Luxury Condo

Kawhi Leonard is going to get a free penthouse valued up to $4.7 million CAD courtesy of Simon Mass, CEO of the Condo Store if he stays in Toronto. Come on!

26. Drake

Love him or hate him, Drake is an icon. Toronto’s most prolific hip-hop artist consistently generates buzz for the team. No publicity is bad publicity.

But other than being an extreme fan, Drake is an actual member of the team. He is the official hype man of the Raptors, no kidding! And his connections in the world of entertainment would prove invaluable for Kawhi.

25. Danny “The Green Ranger”

Although he had a lacklustre playoffs, Danny Green was an instrumental member of the Raptors. Green came over from San Antonio and helped smooth Leonard’s transition into the new environment by providing a familiar face. It’s unsure if Toronto will keep him. But if he re-signs, his familiarity with Kawhi along with his streaky three-point shooting will be a boost.

24. Norman “Playoff P” Powell

While not always consistent, the real “Playoff P” revived his role with the team by providing energy off the bench. Powell rose to the occasion in the absence of OG Anunoby and was aggressive on both ends of the floor.

He came up big in games 3 and 4 of the Milwaukee series and helped the Raptors turn the series around. Even as the ninth member of the team, Powell is an X-Factor.

23. Raptors 905

The Raptors owe plenty of their success to their G-League counterpart: the Raptors 905. Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, and Fred VanVleet are all products of the 905 just to name a few. Siakam was drafted late in the first, Powell in the second, and VanVleet was undrafted. Yet all three turned out to be fantastic players who all contributed to the Raptors’ championship run.

22. Three-Point Spacing the Raptors Provide

Just two seasons ago, the Raptors were in the bottom-third of the league in three-point shooting. However, their gradual but stark improvement from long-range was the difference in their title run. Literally, everyone on the roster is capable of hitting the long ball.

Toronto ranked eighth in the 2018-19 season in three-pointers made. Being surrounded by teammates who can stretch the defense gives Kawhi all the room to operate within the paint and also improved his playmaking.

The Clippers? Tied for sixth-worst in three-point shooting.

21. Keep the Good Times Rolling

Arguing that winning a championship is a good reason for Kawhi Leonard to leave is like saying the perfect time to leave a party is right at the point when everyone is having a blast. Who does that? The party ends when Toronto stops being the champion.

20. Bobby Webster

Most people still don’t know, but Masai Ujiri is NOT Toronto’s general manager. It’s Bobby Webster. The Hawaiian has been with the team since 2013 and was promoted to GM in 2017.

Webster worked in the NBA league office and was renowned for his expertise with the CBA. Kawhi can be assured that Webster will work his magic in finding the right way to structure the team.

19. Serge Ibaka

A former rival in Oklahoma City, Ibaka helped Kawhi win his second championship with some big moments of his own. In Game 7, Ibaka was on fire from deep hitting three-of-five big three-pointers and was a +22. In the NBA Finals, Ibaka averaged 16.7 points in the final three games and kept Toronto in the game with timely rebounds and scoring.

Ibaka has been an anchor for the second unit and with an expiring contract, he can even be used as a bargaining chip should Toronto want to make any additional moves.

18. Best Combination of Young Talent and Veterans

The combination of youth and experience helped Toronto overcome the odds. Grizzled vets like Marc Gasol and Kyle Lowry helped guide the young bucks like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet while the latter’s energy pushed the team forward. Kawhi falls somewhere in between and can serve as the in-prime bridge between the two groups.

17. OG Anunoby

Even if he was absent during the Raptors’ title run and even if he’s had a bit of a “sophomore slump”, there is no doubt Anunoby is one of the team’s brightest players. Anunoby has both the size and dogged determination to become an elite two-way player not unlike… Kawhi!

Like Kawhi, Anunoby was drafted late in the first round, and like Kawhi, his first two years in the NBA didn’t exactly light the world on fire. He can take inspiration from the two-time Finals MVP and be the team’s next breakout stud.

16. That D!

The Raptors were like cockroaches in the playoffs: you just couldn’t kill them. They came back repeatedly despite having an on-and-off offense. Credit their indomitable defense. Toronto neutralized the likes of Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid. They stopped top-three offenses in the Warriors and Bucks.

Their defense symbolized them as a team of…

15. Underdogs!

Toronto was never the favorite heading into the playoffs or even heading into the finals. Now, even after winning the title, people want to put an asterisk due to Golden State injuries.

This group of guys who have been underestimated their whole careers banded together and peaked at the right moment to capture an improbable title. Now, they can go get another one.

14. Marc Gasol

The late addition of Gasol is what pushed Toronto over the top. The former Defensive Player of the Year anchored the team’s middle. Gasol was a crucial factor in neutering the Sixers’ Joel Embiid and his playmaking, while often overlooked, is what led to the Raptors’ improvement in three-point shooting. Oh, and nobody on the team was happier during the parade.

13. Team Has all Its Picks to Make Moving Forward

Unlike a certain other Los Angeles team, the Raptors did not gut all of its picks for the next five years giving them some flexibility for the future. Toronto can use many of these picks for leverage when structuring their team of the future.

12. Fred VanVleet Sr. a.k.a. Poppa Freddy a.k.a. Steph Curry Stopper

Kawhi was the MVP. Lowry was the heart and soul of the team. But damn, was VanVleet the stud. The man now known as Fred VanVleet Sr. was having atrocious playoffs up until Game 4 against the Bucks. The rest of the playoffs went another way.

If there was ever proof that having a kid was a productivity enhancer, look no further. VanVleet averaged 14.7 points in the final nine games of the playoffs and shot a staggering 52.6-percent from three. Most importantly, he defended Curry better than any Raptor. And he got a Finals MVP vote!

11. Board Man Gets Paid!

Money isn’t everything. But it sure does mean a lot of things! Here is how much money Kawhi can make:

• $190 million: if he re-signs with Toronto for five years (fifth year is a player option)
• $141 million: if he signs with the Clippers (or another team) for four years
• $68 million: if he re-signs with Toronto for two years (plus a player option at $38 million)
• $33 million: if he re-signs one year with Toronto (plus a player option at $35 million)

Whether it’s flexibility (one or two-year deals) or making as much money as possible (five-year deal), the Raptors have the advantage.

10. Team Flexibility with Contracts

As mentioned with all of the team’s picks, the Raptors have plenty of options with what to do moving forward. The combination of draft picks, expiring contracts (Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka), and Siakam and Anunoby still being on their rookie deals gives the Raptors a depth of options.

Do the Raptors flip a combination of picks and expiring deals for another star? Do they turn the run back the entire roster? Do they try something in-between those two extremes?

Toronto has options gives them the ability to tinker with the team according to how Kawhi sees fit.

9. A Full Year to Develop Chemistry with Teammates

Tracy McGrady and Paul Pierce weren’t just hating when they said the Gasol trade would potentially mess up the Raptors’ chemistry. It was evident as Gasol struggled on offense and the Raptors, with the exception of Kawhi and Siakam, disappeared for stretches during the playoffs.

But once the team started to gel around the Milwaukee series, the results were magnificent. The Raptors played air-tight defense and were shooting the lights out from three. Kawhi and Siakam were a deadly one-two punch penetrating while Gasol’s playmaking opened up the floor for Toronto.

The Raptors are just hitting their stride. An extra season to develop team chemistry, both on and off the court, could do wonders for both Kawhi and the team.

8. Chance to Defend Title – Making a Statement

An NBA championship is forever. And soon, nobody will remember the “asterisk” that the Raptors won a title over a crippled Warriors team. But Toronto can quell these doubters quickly by winning a second championship over another western powerhouse like the new-look Lakers or Rockets.

There is also an adage that you aren’t a “true champion” until you defend your title. This applies more for combat sports, but NBA teams that win back-to-back chips are on a different level than one-and-done squads. Just ask Kenny Smith.

If Kawhi returns and defends the NBA title with the Raptors, this would elevate him, the franchise, and their championship status to levels that approach…

7. Dynasty Status

Why build a dynasty from scratch when you already have most of the pieces right now? If Kawhi leaves Toronto and heads to the Clippers, he’ll need to assemble a new crop of players. His second-best teammates will be Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell (Maybe Danilo Gallinari, if he stays).

With the Raptors, Kawhi knows his team is good enough to win a championship. And they can still mess around and add more pieces given how fluid their contracts are. Kawhi may have been on the verge of creating another Spurs dynasty if Zaza Pachulia didn’t take him out against the Warriors.

Kawhi is already known as a dynasty killer. Maybe he can start one of his own?

6. Nick Nurse

The underdog story doesn’t end with just the players. Nick Nurse has had a colourful path on the way to an NBA championship. He cut his teeth coaching in the British basketball leagues and had stints with independent leagues before landing the head coaching job with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the G-League.

Nurse would lead the Vipers to their second G-League title in 2013 before being hired as an assistant coach with the Raptors. He would be the one to usher in a new offensive scheme for Toronto and would be a breath of innovation and risk-taking.

Throwing a box-and-one against Curry, resetting the way Toronto plays, and unorthodox line-up choices are just some of Nurse’s trademark moves. It shows a coach who isn’t afraid to make a mistake and someone who is progressive. It’s the type of guy you need behind the bench in today’s NBA.

5. Pascal “Spicy P” Siakam

Kawhi Leonard’s championship run will go down as one of the most impressive as he became one of a few superstars to lead his team to a title without a secondary star. Although nobody saw Pascal Siakam elevate himself to being the Raptors’ second-best player on most occasions.

Siakam is the NBA’s returning Most Improved Player award after he transformed himself into a bonafide scorer and key disruptor on defense. “Spicy P”‘s stats increased across the board. His scoring went up to 16.9 from 7.3, his rebounding from 4.5 to 6.9, and he even developed a three-point shooting (hitting a three per game at 36.9-percent versus 0.4 at 22-percent last season).

His advanced metrics were also significantly better: his true shooting percent of 62.8-percent is up from 54.9-percent last season and his win shares per 48 minutes bumped significantly as well. His value over replacement player (VORP) rating nearly doubled at 3.5 from 1.7.

Even though he’s 24, Siakam is just scratching the surface of his potential. Taken late in the first in the 2016 draft, the Cameroonian had just begun playing basketball when he joined New Mexico State.

It’s likely that “Siak” will become even better in the next few seasons. He could be an All-Star next year and an All-NBA player for the next few more.

Kawhi and Siakam will form one of the best forward combos in the NBA and possibly the greatest SF-PF combo since Bird and McHale.

4. Alex McKechnie

The Raptors’ best kept secret is the Scottish-Canadian assistant coach and Director of Sports Science, Alex McKechnie. You won’t find him in too many photos or articles, but his role in keeping the team healthy and maximizing their performance is what helped pushed the Raptors to a title.

Educated in British Columbia in physiotherapy, McKechnie began working in sports medicine with Canadian soccer. He started with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1988 and was a member of the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup Canada men’s national soccer team that won gold.

Out of all the Raptors players and personnel, McKechnie has the most impressive championship pedigree. He has a gold medal with Team Canada, helped tennis legend Jimmy Connors capture eight grand slam titles, and was part of the Lakers dynasty that captured five championships in the 2000’s.

As the previous NBA championship runs have shown, it’s not just about superstars or team defense but staying healthy. The playoffs are a grind and they are a marathon. Bodies break down. Teams get tired. The Raptors weren’t the most talented team on paper but they outlasted everyone.

With McKechnie continuing to  watch over the team’s health and training regimen, Kawhi and the Raptors have a better chance at staying healthy and in peak condition when it matters most.

3. Kyle Lowry

The heart and soul of the franchise, Raptors finally shut all the haters up by leading the team to an NBA title. Much maligned in previous seasons for his perceived “playoff choking”, Lowry carried the Raptors in the final game against the Warriors by erupting for 26 points and 10 assists.

Lowry averaged 17.7 points, 6.2 assists, and shot 42-percent from three beginning in the Eastern Conference Finals. As solid as these numbers were, Lowry’s impact went beyond mere stats.

"“You’ve got to deal with it. Every night you are not going to be shooting 55 percent and hitting 12 3s. Some nights are just going to come down to defense.” Kyle Lowry"

The Raptors’ captain and the longest-tenured player would leave his fingerprints all over the basketball court. From hustling for loose balls (including diving for one out-of-bounds and inadvertently starting a fight with Warriors’ minority owner Mark Stevens), drawing charges, or making a clutch steal, Lowry was everywhere.

A five-time All-Star, Lowry’s biggest contribution to the franchise is his dogged determination. While he was deadly from beyond the arc and was a nifty playmaker, Lowry’s feistiness and “never say die” attitude is what pushed him to become a better player than most expected.

Lowry’s accomplishments now put him as a top-three Raptor of all time and potentially as a future Hall of Famer. Perhaps just as importantly, he has built a friendship with Kawhi.

They were seen out in Philadelphia (Lowry’s hometown) buying snacks late at night. Kawhi made Lowry a “promise” right when he arrived. And the chemistry they continue to develop will only become stronger.

2. Masai Ujiri

Masai is the architect of the Raptors and one of its many faces. Coming over from the Denver Nuggets as an assistant GM to then-Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo in 2008, Ujiri would succeed him in 2013 and would be promoted as the team’s president in 2016.

He would became the first non-American to win the Executive of the Year award in 2013 for his work with the Nuggets and quite frankly had the award robbed from him this season.

Born in England, Masai moved back to Nigeria as an infant and grew interested in basketball as a young teenager. He would go to college in the US before playing professionally in Europe then breaking into the NBA league offices as an unpaid scout for the Orlando Magic.

Masai grinded his way to the top of the NBA food-chain, and now is reaping the immense benefits.

As director of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa program, Masai also gives back to the continent that sired him.

His unique background is what makes him a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. His keen insight and connections to Africa could give the Raptors first dibs on the next Siakam or even the next Antetokounmpo.

There aren’t many executives like Masai and the Raptors and Kawhi are fortunate to have him. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep the team at a championship level. And if it’s anyone who can wiggle a creative solution to an issue (such as your superstar leaving for home), it’s Masai.

1. Becoming the Best Player in the World

Before the start of the 2018-19 season, the conversation was between Kevin Durant and LeBron James as the “best player in the world.” Then, somewhere around midseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo entered the equation. Kawhi Leonard wasn’t even in the discussion.

It was unsurprising as Kawhi had just missed all but nine games the previous season. Kawhi was also resting about one game every week while with the Raptors.

Even as he averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds (both career-highs), Kawhi was seen as a rung below the Durants and Antetokounmpos of the world.

But after a historic playoff run capped with his second championship and Finals MVP where he also finished third all-time in points scored in a single playoffs, Kawhi is now firmly entrenched in the conversation as the best player of his era.

Kawhi Leonard has two chips, two Finals MVP’s, back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards (the first non-“big man” to do so), three All-Star and All-NBA teams, and five All-Defensive teams to his name.

This may be a bit short of Durant or James in terms of sheer numbers, but championships (and Finals MVP’s) are what truly matter.

Right now, Leonard is only one short of tying James in that category and Kawhi would have an easier time if he returned to the Raptors and defended the title as opposed to joining the Clippers and forming a new team and/or needing to sign another superstar.

With the Raptors, Leonard is the lone superstar. In the eyes of most fans and media members, they who ultimately decide who the best player truly is, winning a title as the sole superstar is a more impressive feat than joining a group of other stars.

If Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto and defends the chip, he would almost certainly be considered the unanimous decision for the best player in the NBA. And that’s what Toronto offers more than the Clippers next season, a chance to win the NBA title.