While the Toronto Raptors played their first post-holiday break home game tonight, all eyes from the crowd were actually on two opponents.
Playing in Toronto for the Los Angeles Clippers — Kawhi Leonard and Norm Powell have made their long-awaited return to Toronto.
The crowd at Scotiabank Arena rose to a pre-game applause during Leonard’s starting lineup, who hadn’t played in Toronto since December 11, 2019.
The applause of a slightly unusual “Oh, it’s time to cheer for Kawai.”I feel like this caught everyone off guard, including me. #raptors–＃Hair clippers: pic.twitter.com/vH5Kuc0FiY
— Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) December 28, 2022
But Powell actually got the loudest cheers, playing in Toronto for the first time since February 2020 and his first opponent.
Powell was honored with the annual tribute video during the game’s first television outage.
I am always grateful for your help. @npowell2404 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ffV8qCnj25
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 28, 2022
all love @npowell2404 pic.twitter.com/pSs07bcfBA
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 28, 2022
Leonard, of course, left Toronto just weeks after the 2019 title, signing a long-term deal with the Clippers.
Powell spent another season and a half with the Raptors before moving to Portland in a trade for Gary Trent Jr.
Powell has previously played against Toronto twice as a member of the Blazers.
Powell averaged 9.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 349 games for the Raptors over six seasons from 2015 to 2021.
Almost a year after joining Portland, Powell made the switch again as part of a five-player package in February of this year, rejoining Leonard.
Leonard hasn’t been to the city much, but he made a series of homecomings of his own when he visited the Clippers for the first time in December 2019.
The billboards that went up at Yonge/Dundas late last night are all thanks to New Balance/Kawai. They should have been visible when Leonard arrived in Toronto with the Clippers, and I understand they’ll be on display all day today. pic.twitter.com/lLgUmJJuOR
— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) December 11, 2019
Leonard appeared in 60 games for the Raptors during the 2018-19 season, averaging 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists and was named to his third All-Star Game.
What if Kawhi stayed with the Raptors?
“If Kawhi stays, will we go back to back?” Former Toronto forward Serge Ibaka asked Fred VanVleet about his recent episode. fireAre you hungry? cooking show.
But VanVleet put him up a notch by saying the Raptors could have won a third straight NBA championship.
“Three Pete. For sure,” said VanVleet. “It was the perfect group of individuals and everyone knew they had the right mindset for their role. I definitely think we could have won a little bit more.”
It’s unclear what the 2019 offseason might have been a little different, but it’s clear that nearly everyone appreciates the magic of the playoffs.
