Toronto Raptors: 5 keys to beating Warriors in 2019 NBA Finals

2. The other guys have to continue to deliver

After much was made about the lack of support Kawhi Leonard has received through the first two rounds of the playoffs and rightfully so, the rest of the Raptors all stepped up simultaneously to help relieve some stress for their superstar.

Despite being an afterthought for much of the playoffs, Fred VanVleet — affectionately coined “Steady Freddy” — seemed to have woken up from a year-long drought with the birth of his son. In the 15 games prior to his son’s birth, FVV had averaged a mere 4.0 points percent on 25.6 percent shooting from the field and a putrid 19.5 percent from 3.

In the three games after, Steady Freddy has returned to form, to say the least. VanVleet looked every part of the future starting point guard of the Toronto Raptors post-Kyle Lowry, averaging 16.0 points per game on a blistering 68 percent clip from the field and an unbelievable (albeit unsustainable) 82.4 percent from deep in Games 4-6.

After taking culpability for Toronto’s Game 2 loss, Marc Gasol looked like the Marc Gasol of young. Rejuvenated, the 34-year-old looked like the All-NBA center he once was, although his stats wouldn’t convince you of that.

Big Spain was pivotal down the stretch of Games 5 and 6, providing some stellar interior defense against Giannis Antetokounmpo as well as knocking down big shot after big shot to help the Raptors close the Bucks out in six games.

If the Toronto Raptors are keen on bringing home their first Larry O’Brien Trophy, it has to be a collective effort from their eight-man rotation.

With that being said….