Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry was taken aback on Sunday during his Media Availability session when a young boy had the opportunity to ask him how it felt to be an “icon” to kids in Canada:
“How does it feel to be an icon all over Canada to kids?”
Lowry was blown away. pic.twitter.com/DPqj77aG3N
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) June 9, 2019
In his seven seasons with the Raptors, Lowry has proven to be one of the most charismatic players in the NBA. His friendship with former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan was well-documented, and he is frequently a candidate to be mic'd up during All-Star Weekend.
As such, Lowry responded by saying that he strives to be a role model for younger generations, just as he once had idols of his own when he was growing up.
Kawhi Leonard has become a beloved figure in Toronto, especially during the 2019 playoffs in which he has had one of the greatest individual postseasons in league history. But it is easy to forget just how much Lowry means to the city.
When Lowry was traded to the Raptors prior to the 2012-13 season, Toronto was coming off of four straight seasons in which they had missed the playoffs, including a ten-year span where they made just two playoff appearances.
Lowry has helped to turn Toronto into a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference, helping the team reach the playoffs in each of the last six seasons while also making five consecutive All-Star teams.
Although he has been criticized in the past for some lackluster playoff performances (particularly in his duels with the LeBron-led Cavs teams), Lowry's mental fortitude and insatiable determination have never wavered.
Now, Lowry and the Raptors find themselves just one win away from the first NBA title in franchise history.
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