Raptors Win Championship + Kawhi Leaves Anyway Scenario

Tanner · Post #41 » by **Tanner** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 4:42 am

If we win a championship, Kawhi could leave and burn every bridge on his way out and I’d still want his jersey retired.

TorontoBaller · Post #42 » by **TorontoBaller** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:21 am

I agree with everybody on this. If we win a championship and he leaves, how can you be mad?

It would be great if he stayed. He’s young and crazy good. But I don’t want to get to that point yet. I don’t want to dwell on that. I just want to see how this year plays out.

A. Can we make it to the playoffs healthy?
and can we get to the finals.

And 2.Winning the finals would be the most delicious of all cheesecakes.
Am I Right?!

And how, at that point, could we realistically be mad at the weirdo.

Bon voyage! Fairwell sweet odd prince!

Win the ship!

TorontoBaller · Post #43 » by **TorontoBaller** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:23 am

SFour wrote:He can do whatever he wants if he wins the Raptors a championship...that would require beating one of the best teams of all time.

Denver?

omar36 · Post #44 » by **omar36** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:29 am

anyone who brings a ring to toronto will have some legend status. Tho personally if lowry plays a major role in winning, i think he would be considred the goat raptor.

Clay Davis · Post #45 » by **Clay Davis** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 12:45 pm

vbmeer wrote:
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.

That's because you're assuming it'll take a hit. If he brings us a chip it's mission accomplished. He could top-decker me and I'd still buy his New Balance shoes

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vbmeer · Post #46 » by **vbmeer** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 1:59 pm

Clay Davis wrote:
vbmeer wrote:
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.
That's because you're assuming it'll take a hit. If he brings us a chip it's mission accomplished. He could top-decker me and I'd still buy his New Balance shoes

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Again, the idea was not "before the event" question. It was in the long-term "after the event". The emotional "here and now" response would predictably be "I don't care, we win.", but I wanted a bit more nuance than that.

And my personal assumption was not that it would take a hit. My guess was that he'd be a legendary, mythical figure due to the nature of the one and done. There could be viewpoints about the magnitude of his legend status due to the Lowry factor, the potential of future contending Raptor teams after his departure, and maybe a bit of the barometer of after the initial title euphoria settles down and the "will he, won't he" discussion occurring for a couple of weeks afterwards and then the ultimate decision.

Inklink · Post #47 » by **Inklink** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:27 pm

They should retire his jersey during the Finals MVP interview with Doris Burke. Hell, the should just hook up to his jersey and pull him up into the rafters with it.

SHFT · Post #48 » by **SHFT** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 3:28 pm

Dennis 37 wrote:
HiMyNameIsTrey wrote:Build a statue and makes America pay for it

And shut down the NBA until they do.

Lmfao

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Mikistan · Post #49 » by **Mikistan** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 4:14 pm

If we win the championship,

In the long term people will say that Kawhi put the raptors on the map, and the next generation of raptors fans and future players will be better because they watched Kawhi do everything and play both sides of the ball

Post #50 » by **Morris_Shatford** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 4:33 pm

We get Championship and we got DeRozan and his contract off this team?

I am good with that.

StopitLeo · Post #51 » by **StopitLeo** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 4:47 pm

We were never in the Finals conversation even when Vince was at his peak. The highest he ever finished in MVP voting was 10th (99-00) and he never made 1st team All-NBA. This isn't a criticism of Vince but just a reference point that can be used for comparisons since many consider him the greatest Raptor. Kawhi has finished 2nd and 3rd in MVP voting and has been 1st team All-NBA twice and 1st team All-Defensive 3 times, with of course the back to back DPOY awards. With him on the roster we are legitimate Finals contenders. You can use DeMar as a reference point instead of Vince if you want but people should be well aware of how much better Kawhi is.

Aliasego · Post #52 » by **Aliasego** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:02 pm

Harrison Barnes? Important player, but only a part of our multiple championships.

(Y'know, it still doesn't feel right to have hope...)

RaptorsLife · Post #53 » by **RaptorsLife** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:06 pm

STATUE

JERSEY RETIRED

TATTOO ON MY HEART

ReggieSlater · Post #54 » by **ReggieSlater** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:23 pm

His legacy would depend on how he leaves. If he wins a championship and leaves humbly to another team, people will regard him with grandeur. If he wins a championship and leaves while **** on the team, people won't be as quick to praise him here.

EG73 · Post #55 » by **EG73** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:42 pm

hype_2004 wrote: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!

and this without getting STDs (bad contracts).

But, if he leaves after a championship, I think the way he leaves (F—k Toronto vs Thank you Toronto) will influence our opinion.

vbmeer · Post #56 » by **vbmeer** » Sun May 26, 2019 3:21 am

One step closer... but the hypothetical still remains

So_Fresh · Post #57 » by **So_Fresh** » Sun May 26, 2019 4:23 am

HeadtopChunes wrote:Would be a toronto legend.

Like the greatest one night stand ever

Couldn't have said it any better. Lol.

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JN · Post #58 » by JN » Sun May 26, 2019 4:24 am

I will worry about Leonard leaving after we win the championship in about 15 days.

vbmeer · Post #59 » by **vbmeer** » Sun Jun 9, 2019 11:20 pm

5 months later... the hypothetical is one win away

Bankai · Post #60 » by **Bankai** » Sun Jun 9, 2019 11:24 pm

I think the feeling would be more akin to the second time LeBron was in Cleveland. The 1st time he left for Miami, Cleveland was pissed. When he returned and delivered a Championship, Cleveland was more sad but understandable when he left for the Lakers.

So if the Raptors win the Title and he bolts, people will be sad, but I doubt people will be mad. Kawhi came in and delivered.

Kawhi Leonard reputation after one-shot championship win?