Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors need to make statement in Kawhi Leonard’s return

By David Morassutti

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers bumps into Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors as he drives to the basket as Ivica Zubac #40 and Norman Powell #24 look on during a 98-88 Clippers win at Staples Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers bumps into Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors as he drives to the basket as Ivica Zubac #40 and Norman Powell #24 look on during a 98-88 Clippers win at Staples Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Toronto Raptors are set to welcome Kawhi Leonard for his first game in Toronto since signing with the Los Angeles Clippers and they need to be ready to make a statement.

For years, the Toronto Raptors have watched top players walk out the door and upon their return, the fanbase has made sure those players understood how they felt about being left high and dry.

Last season, DeMar DeRozan was given the homecoming he deserved and Kawhi Leonard should get the same when he is presented with his championship ring. While all the focus has been on the reception Leonard is going to get, you can bet the team is making sure they are not letting that distract them from the task at hand.

More from Tip of the Tower

If there is anything we learned about Leonard last season, he doesn’t let personal feelings get in the way of the task at hand and it’s his business-first approach that the Raptors have to be prepared for.

In a way, the Raptors have embodied that same attitude this season and you can be sure the team learned that from Kawhi last season. Unfortunately, that is the least of their problems considering how they have been playing recently.

After getting into the conversation among the top 10 teams in the NBA, Toronto went on a losing streak that has shined a not so admiring spotlight on their offensive struggles. Even with their win over the Chicago Bulls, you can bet that if they play the same way, Leonard and the Clippers won’t make life easy for them.

This is an opportunity for Pascal Siakam to show why he is worthy of being in the conversation as a star player in the league. Also, the team will have to account for Paul George who was not in the lineup when the two teams went up against them in Los Angeles.

Fortunately for the Raptors, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka will be playing and hopefully, OG Anunoby avoids getting poked in the eye by Leonard. Not only will the Raptors’ defence have to be at their best, but their offence also needs to get back on track.

A win in this game can certainly go a long way in getting some of the attention off of the talk about Masai Ujiri and his future with the team. Considering how crucial the president was in securing the team’s first championship, the last thing they need is for Leonard to make a statement in his return.

Next. Raptors need to quiet speculation around Masai Ujiri’s future. dark

What do you think about Leonard’s return? How important should this game be for the Raptors to win? Let us know in the comments below. 

Home/Toronto Raptors