Not every day we receive the best player in the history of his franchise disguised as an opponent. Not strictly speaking ” the best “ since he spent only one season in Toronto, but Kawhi Leonard is – and will remain – the first man to have brought back a title to the Canadian franchise.
The pretty house boxscore is by ICI !
“Zi number two, Kowaïe Léonarde…”, and a very warm round of applause descended from the stands of the Scotiabank Arena. They say it doesn’t forget, and it’s true, the North remembers. His franchise player fired at the Clippers in the summer of 2019, just after the title: the pill was hard to swallow but there was nothing to forgive. A short and intense experience, to finally see him return once every three, four or five months in the shoes of a visitor, each time with a different score sheet (and without qualms). Tonight ? “Only” 15 points at 5/12 shooting, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. When he plays this season – which is a first condition ever won with him – Kawhi Leonard scores less but performs for the team. It also has the second best plus/minus Clippers (+119) on this regular 2022-23. It won’t send him to the All-Star Game, but the real ones know.
Two rooms two atmospheres.
More prominent and no less applauded, Norman Powell was one of the main architects of the Clippers’ victory: 22 points at 8/14 shooting out of the bench, there too no trace of a named ” state of mind “. We had a good laugh about a pass from Kawhi for the Little Artist Cupthe betrayal of the ancients was then total. “Yeah but TrashTalk, Norman Powell never played in Toronto, it was Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady who played there right? ». For the little shits who think that a franchise only sees Hall of Famers pass, know that Norm was Raptor from 2015 to 2021. NBA champion the guy, and not in an honorary capacity or who knows what socket. On this historic Playoffs campaign, the little Cainri played 23 games for an average of 16 minutes. Real little Swiss army knife.
Thank you for everything, @npowell2404 ???? pic.twitter.com/ffV8qCnj25
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 28, 2022
What else ?
A Nicolas Batum who will stop improving the collective when we cut off both his arms: 9 points and 7 rebounds at 3/8 from the parking lot. But also a starting five very largely level with a total of… 91 points. Thank you Tooth, Reggie Jackson et Paul George for the works, and be careful that Luke Kennard (0/4 in shooting) finds success on the next dates. No, in reality, we don’t care a bit, but we had to find something at stake or something. The Clippers continue with a second victory in a row. Pascal I’m sorry, author of 36 points with 13/24 shooting and 9 rebounds, must have it bad. Even more when you know that he lost against guys landed at 4am in Toronto out of victory. Magnificent that one.
Clippers commentators who reveal that due to aviation and weather concerns, the players arrived in Toronto last night at 4am.
After playing in overtime against Detroit.
Heavy legs, we’ll see if it lasts for 48 minutes.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) December 28, 2022