Toronto Raptors: 3 most valuable NBA Top Shot Highlights in history

No. 1: Kawhi Leonard’s shot

Really, was it ever going to be anything else? There is simply no singular moment in team history that resonates like Kawhi Leonard’s four-bounce miracle against Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers to advance to the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals.

The sheer drama of the moment and the near impossibility of the shot are one thing, but there are just so many elements that enhance the shot’s legacy. Of course, there’s the fact that it would ultimately enable the franchise’s only championship.

But there’s also the eerily perfect symmetry to Carter’s miss 18 years earlier – same opponent, same playoff round, same series game, similar circumstances, just the opposite result.

Kawhi Leonard helped make the Raptors champions

Leonard’s shot was only the second game-winning buzzer-beater in the deciding game of a playoff series, occupying rare air only shared by Michael Jordan’s dagger over Craig Ehlo and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989.

Not that it needed anything else to make it more special, but the true magic of the moment comes in the seemingly eternal pause afforded by the four bounces before the capacity Scotiabank Arena crowd (remember those?) went ballistic.

For now, collectors have the ability to bid on Raptors ‘moments’ through Top Shot that includes in-game highlights from the likes of Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and even Stanley Johnson.

Some of these – depending on their exclusivity – are going for thousands of dollars. While being far from a Top Shot expert, you’d have to think that these iconic franchise moments will eventually be considered as NFT’s. And when that happens, look out.