After months of controversy, the Raptors look to be going in a positive direction.
TORONTO – Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors organization were all smiles during their first public appearance on the NBA Media Day. Leonard addressed the crowd speaking about his health and the excitement he feels on joining the Toronto Raptors.
“Right now, I’m feeling great, ready to play basketball,” Leonard said. “Throughout the summer I worked on my body. Took it step-by-step, just getting fully healthy, getting ready to make this extra step this season.”
Leonard also added some insights and answered some random questions from the reporters.
“I’m a fun guy,” Leonard said. “Obviously, I love the game of basketball. I mean, there’s just more questions you have to ask in order for me to tell you about myself. I just can’t give you the whole spiel. I don’t even know where you’re sitting.”
Leonard (left) with teammate Danny Green (photo, expressnews.com)
Leonard was sent to Toronto together with his longtime teammate Danny Green in a trade where the Spurs got DeMar DeRozan, Jacob Poeltl, and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick in return. This helps Leonard move on from the issues he’s had with head coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs’ organization.
“Excited,” Leonard said, regarding his new team.”I’m coming to a great city that loves basketball, a great organization and I’m happy Danny was coming with me as well.” A free agent next summer, Leonard said he arrived in Toronto “with an open mind,” but wasn’t ready to talk about what that means long-term.
“My focus is on this year, this group that we have, and us striving to get to a championship,” he said. “We all want to win, and if you’re looking into the future, you’re going to trip over the present.”
Toronto’s new head coach, Nick Nurse, who replaced Dwayne Casey, is excited as well of how Leonard could fit in the Raptors’ new system. The first-year coach said Leonard’s diverse skill set will help bolster a “versatile” Raptors roster. “He can guard smalls and bigs and he can score in and out,” Nurse said. “That’s really cool.”
It will be a fresh start for Toronto. The addition of Leonard increases the Raptors’ chances of competing for the championship.
