Toronto Raptors: 5 keys to beating Warriors in 2019 NBA Finals
By Ananth Para
1. No. 2 must be No. 1
Kawhi Leonard has to be the best player on the court every single game in this series if the Toronto Raptors have a shot of pulling off an upset.
The Toronto Raptors are eerily similar to the 2011 Dallas Mavericks, on the surface level at least, with one MVP-caliber player, a plethora of veteran wing players and a defensive stalwart in the paint. However, the Raptors aren’t going up against a chemistry-less super-team.
It’s the Golden State Warriors, who have represented the wild, wild West in the Finals for five consecutive seasons and are on the cusp of being the third team in modern NBA history to three-peat (Chicago Bulls twice, Los Angeles Lakers).
No pressure, Kawhi — even though he seemingly loves the spotlight.
Kawhi Leonard has a gargantuan task ahead of him. Being the best player on the court consistently against the greatest shooter in league history and the most versatile, unique scorer of all-time is a lot to ask from any player, let alone one who has carried his team throughout the majority of the playoffs.
But if anyone can do it, it’s the fun guy in Toronto.
Next. Post-combine 2019 NBA Mock Draft. dark
Kawhi has the chance of being immortalized in Canadian history and NBA history if he fulfill this one task. It’s a near impossible one, but he’s done it for three straight rounds now, including one against an MVP frontrunner in Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’ll have to do it again for Toronto to win a title.