Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 6 win in 2019 NBA Finals

2. The legacy of Kyle Lowry

The Toronto Raptors’ heart of the team for the last seven years or so has been none other than Kyle Lowry. He truly embodies what it means to be a Toronto Raptor.

In 2014, the Raptors had the series on the line of a Game 7 finals possession and put the ball in Lowry’s hands. He was blocked by Paul Pierce. Since that heartbreaking moment, Lowry vouched to come back stronger each year, determined to one day hold what all NBA players dream of: the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Losing his best friend, DeMar DeRozan, in a deal after six seasons spent together, was tough on him, but the team’s brass determined change was necessary in order to win a championship. Lowry had the demeanor/personality of a champion, and now he is one. As the heart and soul of this year’s squad, when the team was presented the championship trophy, he was the first player to lift it, and it wasn’t even questioned.

Leonard, VanVleet and Pascal Siakam all had a right to be one of the first to hold that trophy up after their sensational playoff performances, but the team unanimously wanted Lowry to be the first. Winning the championship was always the team’s goal. When Marc Gasol got traded to Toronto back in February, he was immediately told the aspirations were to win the NBA Finals.

Kyle Lowry Over Everything (KLOE) has been a nickname for years among the Toronto faithful, because the fans knew the Raptors only went as far as their vocal leader would take them. Lowry has cemented his legacy with the franchise’s success and throughout the NBA circles. The final question remains, at the end of his career, is the five time All-Star, one time All-NBA selection and now NBA champion worthy of a spot in the Hall of Fame?