New Balance has erected a new billboard featuring Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard in the heart of downtown Toronto. Leonard, who led the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in franchise history last season, explained why the billboard was placed there, despite the fact that he no longer plays for the team.
The new signage, which stands on the corner of Yonge and Dundas in Toronto, is classy. On its caption, it simply reads: “Thank you Toronto.”
Leonard says it's meant to acknowledge the fan base in Toronto for their unwavering support:
“(The fans) were amazing last year,” Leonard said, via TSN's Josh Lewenberg. “They rolled with us through the ups and downs. We were down every series pretty much and they stuck through it with us. They brought great energy to every game and it helped us. So that's my thank you to them.”
Leonard joined the Clippers this offseason, signing a reported three-year, $103 million max contract. So far, the former San Diego State standout is proving why he is viewed as one of the best players in today's NBA. In his 18 appearances with the Clippers thus far, he has racked up averages of 25.1 points on 44.7 percent shooting from the field (33.0 percent from beyond the arc), 7.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.9 steals in 31.1 minutes per outing.
Leonard is set to make his return to Toronto on Wednesday, as his Clippers are scheduled for a matchup against the Raptors inside Scotiabank Arena. Ticket holders have been asked to be in their seats early, as Kawhi will be receiving his championship ring in a special ceremony.
Kawhi says he enjoyed his time in Toronto, but he's there to win on Wednesday night:
“I'll be thinking about just playing against the team and wanting to win the game, for the most part,” Leonard said, via ESPN. “Just really getting my ring that night. … We're there for one reason: to play the Raptors and try to win the game.”
Tip-off for Wednesday night's Clippers-Raptors game is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, with ESPN having live broadcast coverage.
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