These Raps man. You just can't count them out.
The lights were especially bright, too, on a Sunday afternoon for the Raptors' scheduled February 2 homecourt showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers. For Toronto, some familiar faces from the past were seated at the opposite end of the court.
No standout Most Improved Player candidate, ex-Raptors wing Norman Powell for this one, but the boys up North were treated to an available Kawhi Leonard; the defensive stalwart who propelled Toronto to their widely regarded 2019 championship win.
Leonard has endured a long list of injuries and setbacks since he left Toronto in the 2019 offseason, but his short legacy and impact in the Six will be felt for generations. The argument could even be made that Leonard's Cinderella-like one-year run in Toronto is enough to warrant a jersey retirement somewhere down the line.
Speaking of generations, one of the Raptors' new-gen wings showcased his defensive prowess, largely spoiling the Clippers' and Leonard's efforts to secure a win against his former squad. It was Ochai Agbaji who emerged as Toronto's best player that day.
Ochai Agbaji delivers exceptional game against the Clippers
Finishing with a plus/minus of +12 (the team's highest besides Gradey Dick, who was a +11), Agbaji made the most out of his 20 minutes off the bench. He recorded 12 points on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a whopping three blocks.
Toronto would also get a huge push from RJ Barrett (20 points, six rebounds, seven assists), Gradey Dick (18 points, 2-for-2 shooting from deep), and Scottie Barnes (15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists) en route to a triumphant 115-108 victory.
The Klaw, however, would not find an easy return to Toronto as he faced off against a gutsy and game-set young Raptors core. Leonard recorded 14 points, but struggled with a 33% field goal shooting performance, finishing with four turnovers.
It's sad to see the once almighty Leonard experience a big fall from grace, seeing as he was arguably the absolute best basketball player in the world back in 2019. Injuries and aging will do that to just about any star, but it never seemed like Leonard could match his greatness from that storied title push.
On the flip side of things, seeing Agbaji come into his own this year is a huge thumbs up for the Raptors' coaching and development staff. The former Kansas product was inching eerily close to being an expendable asset, as his sample size from last season left a lot to be desired.
Now, he's proving to be a key two-way piece for the Toronto Raptors, and his stellar improvements in shooting from distance should keep him in the Six for the foreseeable future. Agbaji might never reach the talents of a Kawhi Leonard, but two-way wings with a consistent jumpshot are king in the modern NBA, and the 24-year-old is exactly that.
His name might've not been mentioned in the reported untouchables list with Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick, but I highly doubt the Raptors are willing to part ways with his services so quickly.
Whether his Raptors journey continues with him playing a role off the bench or if Agbaji's talents can be displayed in a starting capacity, one thing's for sure: he'll certainly have a lengthy NBA career if he can keep up this style of play.