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Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario

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Kawhi Leonard reputation after one-shot championship win?

Poll ended at Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:58 pm

He's the GOAT Raptor
144
60%
He's just a Raptor legend, Lowry's the GOAT Raptor
60
25%
He was a really great player, but should've stayed.
24
10%
DeRozan could've done the same that particular year.
4
2%
I hate Uncle Dennis
9
4%
 
Total votes: 241

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Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#1 » by vbmeer » Tue Jan 15, 2019 8:58 pm

How would the Raptors fanbase view Kawhi if in his one and only season with the Raptors, they pull off the championship win with Kawhi being the Finals MVP?

The fantasy reasoning behind him leaving is that he'd feel he already accomplished the biggest goal in a one-shot deal and feel that trying to replicate this in his hometown for his 3rd ring would become a new goal for his overall brand and legacy. I'd think he'd already be seen as a mythical legend in Raptorsland in this scenario even if it's just a single championship season and have a stranglehold of the Canadian market in perpetuity that can't be tarnished if he something unforeseen happens to the relationship in the future if he stayed to try and repeat, but failed. Kind of the type of tarnishment that occurred with the Spurs' relationship despite him being a Finals MVP and winning a ring there.

In fact there might even be a better chance to retain Kawhi if the Raptors lose in a competitive FInals series, because he might develop the feeling of wanting to "finish what was started."
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#2 » by Waylanderz » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:01 pm

GOAT. Would be the first player to ever win a championship both side of the border.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#3 » by HeadtopChunes » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:02 pm

Would be a toronto legend.

Like the greatest one night stand ever
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#4 » by niQ » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:04 pm

GOAT. BEST WE EVER HAD.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#5 » by Harcore Fenton Mun » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:06 pm

It could be worse.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#6 » by Quattro » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:08 pm

Can you add “I don’t care if he leaves if we win a championship” as an option? That’s my vote.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#7 » by dTox » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:10 pm

If we get to the finals, I'd consider this trade a success, even if he leaves. This team was never going to reach that point with last year's roster
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#8 » by vbmeer » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:14 pm

Quattro wrote:Can you add “I don’t care if he leaves if we win a championship” as an option? That’s my vote.


I was going to, but it didn't really reflect to the basis of the idea of Kawhi's reputation after the fact/event.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#9 » by kieferli » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:14 pm

I will not mad at all If he can bring us a championship even only play with us one season or he carry us to the Final .
Life is short he have right to pick where he like and feel comfortable. If he feel he want to join his home town in LA I will respect his decision . I enjoy every min he play for us this year , it still worth to get him even he only play one season for us because he gave us 100 % to play when he on the floor
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#10 » by Danny1616 » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:14 pm

If he helps us win the chip the guy can do whatever he wants.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#11 » by Bcogswell » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:22 pm

He'd be a legend, but DeRozan > Lowry so not voting that option.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#12 » by tdotrep2 » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:25 pm

retire his jersey
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#13 » by dontsettle4less » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:27 pm

HeadtopChunes wrote:Would be a toronto legend.

Like the greatest one night stand ever


The one night stand with the dream girl hahaha
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#14 » by BramptonYute » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:27 pm

Immediately retire his jersey
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#15 » by LoveMyRaps » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:31 pm

dontsettle4less wrote:
HeadtopChunes wrote:Would be a toronto legend.

Like the greatest one night stand ever


The one night stand with the dream girl hahaha


literally
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#16 » by Lord_Aren » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:34 pm

Nothing else even matters at that point. He'll be GOAT and I'll be ready for mediocre Raptors basketball for the next decade.

I might even start cheering for the Celtics.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#17 » by hype_2004 » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:39 pm

This is like the greatest one night stand with that mysterious girl that always appeared in your dreams every other night. **** it that one night stand lasted for hours with dirty hot sex with every position imaginable!
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#18 » by Alpha Mentality » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:41 pm

If he brings us a Championship. He will go down as the greatest Raptor period.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#19 » by PT416 » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:42 pm

He would be on pace to be the GOAT. Not just raptor. But actually.
EDIT: Naw i'm tripping. Top 3 all time though. Around MJ and Lebron.
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Re: Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario 

Post#20 » by TheMainEvent » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:49 pm

With a sort of objective-perspective, Lowry would be the GOAT Raptor for time spent/total stats + championship.

But on a more subjective and emotional level, Kawhi would be absolutely legendary on a scale Lowry doesn't compare to.

He'd be Costanza leaving on a high note.

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TheMainEvent on Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:03 pm wrote:I say the Raptors win the championship in 2019.

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