Kawhi’s departure stings but shouldn't tarnish his Raptors legacy - TSN.ca

Just before 2:00 a.m. ET on Saturday morning, roughly the same time of day Toronto traded for him nearly a year earlier,finally made his decision but it wasn’t the news anybody north of the border had hoped to hear.

The Raptors knew what they signed up for when they gambled on the enigmatic superstar last summer, and so did their fan base, but that doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.With Kawhi Leonard reportedly leaving the Raptors for the Clippers, Bruce Arthur looks at how Toronto fans can't be angry, but have the right to be sad that the he is gone.

They welcomed Leonard and his small circle with open arms. They catered to them and built trust with them. They managed and maintained his health, put him in a position to have both personal and team success, and they won a championship together. They did everything they were supposed to do and more. They did everything right but it still wasn’t enough.

The Raptors didn’t like it and reached out to the league office on multiple occasions throughout the campaign when they felt the Clippers had crossed a line, but tampering is a hard thing to prove in a league where just about everybody tampers. Led by the richest owner in professional sports, Microsoft mogul Steve Ballmer, the Clippers have overhauled the culture and reputation of an organization that was once little more than punch line. They’ve positioned themselves as a franchise on the rise and have long been considered the favourites to land Leonard, until everybody just forgot about them.

JLew1050 Go take the crazies and ignorant fans with you...

JLew1050 Thanks for the ring Thanks for leaving

JLew1050 Not a good news to wake up to. Best wishes for the board man. You are still a champ. Home sweet home.

JLew1050 Ingrate

JLew1050 All the mad Raptor fans remind me of the Islander fans last year when Tavares signed with the Leafs

JLew1050 Does he give the key to the city back?

JLew1050 Ultimately the move to get Kawhi was worth it to get that championship

JLew1050 Legacy? This league is a joke.. players play when and where they want! It's a beer league!!!!! How's a kid suppose to where a shirt that idalizes there favourite player when he could care less about the young fans and more about where to sandbag and stack a team!

JLew1050 He has the right to leave who wants to play in Toronto

JLew1050 Woj just said on ESPN Raptors were about to agree to a deal with OKC for PG and Russ and Kawhi woulda stayed in Toronto then but the Raptors wouldn't give up Pascal Siakam. Wow

JLew1050 ESPN announcers wanted Kawhi back in the US, they were not happy with Him in Canada. Kawhi to Toronto media-“good bye Toronto..... that is all

JLew1050 Legacy? Lmao, jokes

JLew1050 Yup Raptors sold Demar Derozan, a franchise player who would have never left, for a 1 Championship. And now your organization is stuck with Kyle Lowry. It was worth it tho right?

JLew1050 1 year, I am sorry it does! He is one man, Raptors are a team!

JLew1050 This brings back the narrative that these big stars dont actually want to play here.

JLew1050 It’s great and all, but I wouldn’t be upset if he never wins again and regrets not coming back

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