What Kawhi Leonard said after his first game back with Toronto Raptors
After seven years and four months, Toronto sports fans finally got to see Kawhi Leonard back in a Raptors uniform at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.
And Leonard looked real good.
It didn't take long for Leonard to settle into his former home once again. The 35-year-old scored his first basket off a three-pointer from the top of the arc four minutes into the first quarter.
He played 17 minutes in the first half and scored a game-high 21 points on 50 per cent shooting. Even on the defensive side of the ball, Leonard had two steals and forced four turnovers for his Raptors teammates in a 148-98 rout of the New York Knicks in preseason action.
The most memorable play of the game from Leonard came early in the second quarter as he drained a bounce shot off the rim — similar to the one he hit in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2019 championship run.
Leonard was asked post-game if that bounce off the rim reminded him of the shot he hit in the same spot at Scotiabank Arena seven years ago. He gave a Kawhi-esque response.
"No. Not at all. A lot of my shots do that," said Leonard on the play.
"I don't shoot with the highest arc; I'm just thankful it went in."
Leonard said it felt good to be back playing in Toronto, and said the preseason game was great practice for what's to come in a few weeks.
"It was a fun [environment] to play in. The guys have been great. They've made this transition easy," said Leonard post-game about his Toronto return.
Scottie Barnes chats with his new Raptors teammate Kawhi Leonard during Tuesday's preseason game against the New York Knicks. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)
The two-time NBA Finals MVP sat out the Raptors first two preseason games in Quebec City and Vancouver as he said he's still getting back into shape, something he says he's trying to continue to do before Toronto's season opener on Oct. 21.
One thing Leonard says has been easy is his ability to fit into coach Darko Rajakovic's style of basketball he wants the Raptors to play.
"Darko has been telling us it's all about defense and sharing the basketball, and that's how I like to play," said Leonard.
"That's how I grew to play in the NBA — everyone being involved on any given night."
Rajakovic said during his post-game media availability that the objective in their final preseason home game was to build chemistry between Toronto's starting five. That's exactly what happened.
The Raptors' starting five combined for 71 points with an average +/- of +23 while on the floor together. Although the Knicks rested much of their starters coming off a back-to-back, Toronto still held New York to just 47 points in the first half.
With two preseason games left on the Raptors' schedule before next week's season opener against the Chicago Bulls, it's likely Leonard will only appear in one of those two games.
The Raptors are in New York on Thursday to face the Knicks once again, before heading to Detroit on Friday for their final preseason matchup against the Pistons.
John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images
