The Toronto Raptors Are Headed To The NBA Finals
The 2018-2019 Toronto Raptors have made history.
For the first time in their 24 year franchise history, the NBA Finals will be held outside the USA. In fact, Game One will be held in Toronto, Ontario.
I was one of the many who believed the Bucks were going to the NBA Finals this year. I was also one of the many who were wrong.
I didn’t go as far as saying the Toronto Raptors made me look like an idiot, but the Raptors have certainly stunned me. I cannot deny how impressed I am.
The Predicted Winner
During the regular season, Giannis was going for gold. He thoroughly prepared himself in the offseason. He continued to boldly step into a leadership position. He said he wanted to do what all the great NBA players did. His goal was to be consistent night after night since the best of them could showcase greatness regularly. Not only was Giannis starting to do this, but he was leading his teammates to do the same.
Apart from the seasons between 1970 -1973 and the 1980 -1981 season, the Milwaukee Bucks’ regular season record this year was (0.732) the best it had been since 39 years ago. Finishing first in the Eastern Conference with a 60-22 record, I could still see them trying to improve and prepare for the post-season. Making trades up until the deadline and seeing a new All-Star in Khris Middleton, I knew the Bucks were one of the teams who were getting ready to go all the way.
The Bucks are inspirational. They improved monumentally from last year. The story of Giannis and his recruitment into the NBA occupied more of the spotlight. With the Bucks accumulating more wins, Giannis’ road to becoming an MVP candidate was solidified.
This success was spreading to talk of how the city of Milwaukee was starting to boom. Just as Cleveland prospered with King James in the house, Milwaukee was transforming into a new, vibrant city filled with newfound economic growth, hope, and celebration. Giannis was at the root of it all.
I write all of this because the odds were in the favor of these Bucks. They were supposed to win the Eastern Conference Finals and then, possibly the NBA Finals. This early exit for the Bucks resembled Giannis’ unexpected post-game press conference exit after Game Six. He stood up after the last question was asked and left without responding.
Prior to this, Giannis was asked about what he saw in Kawhi and playing opposite him. Giannis commented on how he could tell Kawhi’s experience had benefited him in these moments. Kawhi played with so much patience. He knew what he was going to do and had confidence in himself. Kawhi had been here before and to the Finals multiple times.
After his reply, maybe Giannis realized he did not yet have the things he saw in Kawhi. Perhaps this caused him to be overwhelmed with disappointment. If only he could be more than he was at that moment and lead his team to victory.
I could be wrong. Maybe it’s just an issue with Malika Andrews, who asked the final question. Either way, the time has come for the Bucks to go home. With a disappointing end, their season was still a true success. Their run complete for now.
How Many Times Did You Give Up On The Raptors in the Playoffs?
After Game One of the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals, many bet on the Bucks to win the series. It was over for the Raptors. That was me.
As Nick Nurse said in his post-game press conference after Game Six, some people gave up on the Raptors after Game Three of the 76ers series. That was me, too. It seemed nobody could score except for Kawhi.
After the Orlando Magic took Game One in the opening round, people talked about how the Raptors were cursed. That was also me.
Let’s look back even further!
During the 2017-2018 playoffs, the Raptors were swept 4-0 by the Cavaliers in the Conference Semi-Finals. I felt no hope for this team.
The year before this, I was optimistic since previously, the Raptors went to Game Seven with the Cavaliers the prior year. However, the Raptors were swept 4-0 by the Cavaliers in the Conference Semi-Finals. Deja Vu.
The year before this, in the 2015-2016 playoff season, the Raptors did go to a Game Seven with the Cavaliers and lost 4-3.
As you can see, there’s a bit of history here. After the 2016-2017 season sweep, I gave up. Ever since then, I knew I couldn’t place all my eggs in the Raptor basket. I didn’t trust them to get the job done.
Enter Kawhi
Whenever I see Kawhi in a sports highlight, I always think back to the moment they announced him the NBA Finals MVP in 2013-2014. It is one of my favorite moments in NBA history.
I watched this talented 23-year-old play his heart out during these finals and saw a rising superstar. I loved seeing Kawhi’s emotions let loose.
Did you notice he only does this at super high moments? They are historical moments. He understands when there’s something to celebrate. Something to warrant his emotional energy.
Now we are able to witness the same Kawhi of today’s Raptors. Not the Spurs, but of We The North. He’s creating new highlights and records we will always remember moving forward. Kawhi is continuing to build upon his championship pedigree.
Throughout this year’s playoffs, I kept seeing how Kawhi was involved in playmaking and scoring 30+ points every game. How do you do this? Consistency. Greatness. Team-mindedness.
Kawhi’s buzzer beater in Game Seven of the Conference Semi-Finals against the 76ers was astounding. I found myself bouncing off the couch as the ball finally decided to go into the hoop. You don’t expect moments like this. You imagine them happening. You’re in awe once they do happen.
After the Raptors won Game Three, I was happy for them. When they won Game Four, I was proud of them. When they won Game Five, I asked myself what was going on? This was the Bucks they were playing against. How did they beat this team, yet again?
From the way the Raptors won Game Five, you knew they could close out Game Six. The NBA playoffs require insurmountable stamina from their players and coaches. The Raptors appeared to have it. Even for NBA enthusiasts, it takes commitment. To watch up to three games every day for weeks demands patience. I will be honest. Game Six started and I was giddy for the first time in days!
It’s astounding how the Raptors stubbornly defended, fought, and took Game Six. They took Giannis, the Bucks’ leader, out of his element. For these last few games, it didn’t feel like Giannis was even playing.
A shout out to VanVleet (also born in Rockford, Il), whose splendid shooting (4/5 3-pointers) helped to secure the win. Lowry, their fearless leader, registered eight assists in the victory. Siakam’s hard-fought eighteen points also contributed to the Raptors’ success. Congrats to Norman Powell, Marc Gasol, Danny Green, and Serge Ibaka for their commendable contributions and efforts! Without the entire team, the win would not be possible.
However, it was Kawhi Leonard, who played like he was from a different world. With seventeen monster rebounds, it was the highest of any game he’s played in his life. Kawhi led the Raptors in steals, blocks and had seven assists. Leonard willed the Raptors to the NBA finals, encouraging his teammates to enjoy this moment.
To have a leader who will do whatever is needed to win is a blessing. The Raptors have found this in Kawhi. They collectively found a way to defeat the Bucks four times in a row. They deserve to go to the Finals.
The storybook ending for me would be to witness the Raptors winning the NBA Finals against the Warriors. Again, I, like most people, know the chances are slim. Secretly though, I am hoping the Raptors will surprise me one more time.
