Toronto Raptors finally on right side of history with Kawhi Leonard buzzer beater
With a chance to send the Toronto Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals, Kawhi Leonard sank an impossible shot that sent the NBA into a frenzy.
There were a lot of nervous moments for the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 but Kawhi Leonard proved to have nerves of steel.
You could not have scripted a better ending to a game considering how rough it was at the beginning. When the ball was bouncing off the rim you could hear a pin drop as many were pleading for it to drop.
Even though Kawhi had not been around for the moments where the Raptors were on the wrong side of memorable playoff memories, he knew exactly what this moment meant for the franchise.
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Whether it was Vince Carter missing the buzzer beater against the Philadelphia 76ers 18 years ago, a devastating loss to the Brooklyn Nets or LeBron James continually stomping on the hearts of Raptors fans, that game winner gave Raptors fans the moment they have been craving.
No other player in NBA history had hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 7, it is a moment that will forever go down as an iconic one for Toronto. Even if Kawhi doesn’t come back next season, you can’t say he didn’t give everything to the team.
Kawhi’s 243 points in round two against the Sixers were the most by any play in one playoff series in the last 25 years. If the Raptors go the distance in the playoffs, Leonard’s performance might be the most iconic this city has had in a long time.
The great part of this game was seeing Serge Ibaka find his form and come up with some dominant plays including a couple of three-pointers which proved to be a challenge for Toronto. Without that, Kawhi doesn’t get the chance to play the hero.
Everyone knew the risk the Raptors were taking by making the trade for Kawhi, and they didn’t care because they knew what he could do when the pressure was at its highest. This is a player who is not afraid of the moment and proved it by shooting a fadeaway over one of the tallest players in the NBA.
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For now, Raptors fans should enjoy the moment because the real challenge awaits with the “Greek Freak” looking to continue his dominant playoffs.