By 
After 24 years of anticipation, the Toronto Raptors are NBA champions and as a lifelong fan this is a dream come. Defeating the Warriors in a entertaining and bizarre 6 games stopping a potential three peat. Toronto was led by superstar Kawhi Leonard who was acquired during the off season, trading Leonard and veteran Danny Green for fan favorites Demar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl.
The trade was skeptical at first but became a success, but before the trade deadline the Raptors traded another fan favorite in Jonas Valanciunas and role player Delon Wright for Veteran savvy center Marc Gasol.
That move galvanized the team and their playoff potential which led to this championship run. As a lifelong Raptors fan the history of the team and players that have come and gone makes this championship special.
From Damon Stoudamire as the team’s first ever pick to Marcus Camby, to arguably the golden era of the franchise with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to Chris Bosh revival period after trading Carter and McGrady leaving. Then came the lean and disappointing period when Toronto drafted Andrea Bargnani along with other misses until they drafted Demar DeRozan along with trading for Kyle Lowry to usher in a new generation.
Although the DeRozan/Lowry era didn’t produce a title but came close numerous times it was time for a shake up and the risk paid off. So the question now is what’s next for the Raptors? Personally I feel the future could be promising, Gasol will return sadly Danny Green will probably go somewhere else and last but not least Kawhi Leonard stays!
Now I’ve been mentally preparing all season for him to leave after 1 season and head to LA (Clippers) but after this run I feel Kawhi will see the bigger picture and stay in Toronto to possibly attract other players to come play there in the future.
Regardless this has been such an exciting time for the franchise as well as loyal fans and we will cherish this moment until next season starts.
