KAWHI LEONARD HAS expressed his gratitude to the “special” Toronto fans as the Raptors bid to win a first NBA title.
Leonard has made a huge impact in his first season with the Raptors after leaving the San Antonio Spurs.
The forward is feeling the love as Nick Nurse’s side prepare to try and take a 2-0 lead in the Finals against defending champions the Golden State Warriors.
“I appreciate them for their support,” Leonard said ahead of Game 2 on Sunday. ”Coming in, I wanted to be able to contribute to the team and be able to get them to this point, and we’re doing it so far.
“I just feel like I did something special for them, just this group, just being able to be the first team to get to the NBA Finals for Toronto. That’s how fans are.
“Everyone out here they love, not just me. If you walk through the city or if I’m with one of my team-mates, they show them a lot of love as well. It’s a great support group out here with the fans and with everyone in Toronto.”
Leonard requested to be traded by the Spurs last offseason after the two parties had a disagreement over the management of a quad injury he suffered.
The 2014 Finals MVP’s relocation was initially seen as a risky one-year rental, as he was rumoured to be interested in moving to his home state of California long term.
However, Leonard thinks this season’s journey might be his most exciting one since being drafted in 2011.
“Pretty much other than my first year, I just pretty much started having fun,” Leonard said.
“When you come in as a rookie, you’re trying to stay in the league and you don’t know what the league is about or if you’re going to stick. After that, I pretty much have been trying to enjoy the game.
“Obviously, it’s a lot more fun when you’re getting plays called for you and you’re able to live your childhood dream in being able to shoot the ball 20 times a game.
“The offense is coming toward you rather than just being out there doing one job. Because when you first come in as a rookie, unless you’re like a top-10 player, you’re really not going to touch the floor a whole lot or get the offense run through you.”
Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:
This could turn out to be one of the best title races in years. No team as of yet have looked a class above the rest. All of the “big” teams have lost to “small” clubs so far.
Allthough the quality is down from other years this could be the closest race for years. Fingers crossed.
As for my own club (Man United) all I can say is at least we got the 3 points. Still alot of very poor preformances from some of the experienced lads on the squad. Wouldnt say I am happy but lets hopd they improve comming up to the christmas period (apologies for using the C word in October)
Liverpool flying Sturridge is on fire & Suarez is the best player in the league……
No team looks really good so far, Arsenal weren’t great today & not one team look like they have a good defence
United??? Shite rolls down hills
Bit harsh ruling Everton out of the top four race just because they lost to City. Could’ve easily drawn the game, Zabaleta’s dive got City a peno and Lukaku should have had a peno up the other end.
Everton lose 3-1. United 4-1. Yet you’ll write off Everton who beat Chelsea. Which united couldnt do. Bit harsh.
Yeah seems harsh alright. Not many teams will go to Man City this season and come away with a win…. Also considering that Everton’s squad cost as much as City’s most expensive striker’s weekly wage, they didn’t do too badly! ;-)
Surely he is only saying what everyone is thinking?
Why do some people like giving out for the sake of giving out!
I think you’re giving out for the sake of giving out!
Thanks for your lack of analysis beep beep. Most open league in years. United will be there for top four.