Toronto Raptors: What if Kyle Lowry’s championship-winning shot had gone in?
By Lior Kozai
How do the Raptors trophy ceremony and championship parade play out differently?
The ceremony was pretty loud and spirited already, with hundreds (if not thousands) of Raptors fans in attendance at Oracle Arena.
But if it had been a home game for Toronto, with 20,000 people going ballistic after a wild finish – in addition to the thousands of others watching outside in Jurassic Park – the celebrations would’ve reached a new level. It’s ultimately inconsequential, but the replay reviews to end Game 6 caused the real championship to feel a bit anti-climactic, which wouldn’t be an issue in this scenario.
Unfortunately for Raptors fans who attended the parade, the horrible organization of the parade route (and everything that came with it) probably stays the same. However, there would be even more love for Lowry and credit given to him, which is all a Raptors fan really wants.
Does Kawhi Leonard re-sign in Toronto?
No. If Leonard wasn’t going to re-sign after the way the 2018-19 season and championship run played out, a one-game difference and buzzer-beater doesn’t change that.
Does Danny Green re-sign in Toronto?
Also no. By many indications – especially the podcasts he continues to record in various locations around Toronto – Green wanted to stay with the Raptors, but the money was too good to pass up elsewhere. The chance to play with LeBron James (again) probably didn’t hurt, either. So, the shot almost certainly wouldn’t have affected Green’s decision.
How is Lowry’s social media different this summer?
Lowry hardly ever uses his Twitter account, and when he does, it’s usually to re-post stuff from his Instagram. This summer, he’s only made six Instagram posts (that haven’t been deleted) since winning the title. Only two have been related to the championship.
If he’d made the shot, there are easily get six or seven more Instagram posts – with the trophy, with championship-related captions, maybe just to throw shade at Paul Pierce or something. Lowry might’ve carried the Larry O.B. around all summer, bringing it to his golf tournaments and to Villanova, leaving it on his nightstand when he sleeps. (Kyle Lowry owns a nightstand, right?)