We’ll wait until Leonard hits court to get excited
Raptors do everything possible to make sure new superstar comfortable in Toronto
Kawhi Leonard is a self-proclaimed fun guy. He said that without looking up or smiling. He said that while sitting behind a desk on the organized chaos that happens to be Raptors Media Day, protected by having team president Masai Ujiri sitting to his left and his old and new teammate Danny Green sitting to his far left.
He needed some protection for his first official appearance as a Raptor with a speaking part, which is somewhat predictable. Also predictable: He looked about as enthusiastic as a public school kid who was forced to present in front of the class for the very first time, even though he wasn’t ready or willing. He said as little as possible, as quickly as possible, without facial expression, mostly looking down, without a whole lot of warmth. This is Kawhi Leonard, fun guy. Get used to it. And you know what? In the big picture, the basketball picture, none of that means anything.
Podium performances don’t win basketball games. If it did, Charles Barkley would have a fist full of rings. But the Raptors needed to put on some kind of show on opening day. It’s part of the sell. So the lights were bright, the stage was fine, the “We The North” backdrop was certainly pretty and the most fascinating acquisition in Raptors history was presented to the fan base some 68 days after the trade with San Antonio was made, with the necessary protection alongside. That wasn’t an accident. That’s part of what will be the theme of the season. Let’s make sure Kawhi is as comfortable as possible. Let’s not put him in troublesome situations. Let’s do everything possible to make sure he will fit in this season, play well for the Raptors, potentially stay healthy, be great come playoff time and not find a single reason to not want to play for the next several seasons in Toronto. That’s what this is all about, really. It’s about this year and walking on eggshells and delicately keeping the faith.
It’s about the narrative that Ujiri said should no longer be a narrative.
But this is Toronto and this is who we are and this is the kind of thing we historically worry about for far too much of our lives. Will he or won’t he? Do people like us? Do people love us? Do people want to play for the Raptors and the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jays? People with genuine choices? Pending free agents like Leonard, the most desirable of free agents?
At Leonard’s introductory media availability he scored as the third-most interesting person at a desk of three people. Not authoritative and confident the way Ujiri was authoritative and confident.
Not fill in the blanks funny the way Green was, and he will be seen regularly on sports networks across this land this season.
Leonard was available because he had to be there and gave no real hint of what next season will bring.
In a variety of ways, Leonard was asked about the future in Toronto and in most ways he left the most pertinent of all long-term Raptors questions unanswered. He hemmed a little, he hawed a little, he mentioned a few times what a great city Toronto is and what an excited basketball populace we have, all of which brought predictable applause and enthusiasm.
He did say this: “If you look toward the future you’re going to trip over the present.”
That was as good as it got, maybe as good as it will ever get from Leonard. Not certain what it means entirely, but the turn of phrase was nice.
The good news, if there is any, is that he didn’t outright dismiss any future in Toronto. He didn’t say this would be a one-and-done situation. He didn’t come out and declare he lives in California and wants to play in California and will be California dreaming all season.
He did say the trade to the Raptors “excited” him. His time in San Antonio had run its course. The relationship at the end — in one of the great organizations of the NBA — was toxic. And he was happy that “Danny (Green) was coming with me, as well.”
A few times he called this a new journey. He doesn’t want to look forward and he certainly, when questioned by a San Antonio reporter, doesn’t want to look back.
He does come to Toronto “with an open mind.”
So, there is that. An open mind. A fun guy.
We know all about his basketball skills. What we don’t know, and probably won’t for most of the year, is whether this is one season to cherish and hope about or just the beginning of something special.