[ad_1]
For the first time in nine years, the Toronto Raptors opened their season without DeMar DeRozan in the building.
As you may have heard, there is a new star in town. Former MVP Kawhi Leonard made his regular-season debut for the Raptors on Wednesday, when Toronto opened its campaign against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After a disappointing spring and summer, the changes, anticipation and optimism of Raps fans, spectators saluted their new star with a resounding ovation at Kawhi's announcement during the presentation. of the team before the match.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "He missed his first three shots of the match, but went on a 3-on-4 run to complete the first game. The first half of Leonard's basketball as Raptor looks like this: 18 minutes, 12 points (which leads all the scorers of the first period) on 5 shots on 11, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 0 smile and one more -dix. "data-reactid =" 27 ">He missed his first three shots of the match, but went on a 3-on-4 run to complete the first game. The first half of Leonard's basketball as Raptor looks like this: 18 minutes, 12 points (which leads all the scorers of the first period) on 5 shots on 11, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 0 smile and one more -dix.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "His first regular season bucket in Toronto was not spectacular, but he did the job – much like the man himself."data-reactid =" 28 ">His first regular season bucket in Toronto was not spectacular, but he did the job – much like the man himself.
In the second half, we had a first glimpse of Kawhi, a high-flying player, when he delivered his first monster campaign training on a neglected Cavaliers figure.
Note the ferocity with which Tristan Thompson pulls the fall of his defensive effort after realizing that The Claw was about to poke him in the throat.
Leonard has been strong in painting all night – at both ends of the ground – too.
True to Canadian fashion, Kawhi finished his debut with a double double with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Scotiabank arena in Toronto rocked all night and took a few decibels each time Leonard touched the ball, raining even a few MVP songs throughout the contest.
Leonard commented on the reaction of the Raptors fans with Kate Beirness of TSN after the match:
"I thought about it [the response] was great. They had a lot of energy tonight, they made a good effort for us in the fourth quarter when we had no energy. I loved tonight by coming here and playing and seeing all the love and support. "
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "More coverage of Raptors by Yahoo Sports:"data-reactid =" 41 ">More coverage of Raptors by Yahoo Sports:
Source link
