Masai Ujiri built the Eastern Conference champions. Kawhi Leonard made this championship moment possible. Yet, this is merely a prelude to the next act.
The Toronto Raptors have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. They will be taking on the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors in a seven-game series that will begin on Thursday.
The Raptors celebrated at Scotiabank Arena after taking down the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Team president Masai Ujiri congratulated the players, but also reminded them, as well as the fans, that the playoffs aren't over yet.
Masai Ujiri to the crowd: "These guys are great, but we're not satisfied. We want to win a championship."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 26, 2019
All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard echoed this statement from Ujiri, saying that winning the championship is the ultimate goal for this team.
Kawhi Leonard: "It's still surreal to me right now. But this is what we've been striving for all season. It's not over yet."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 26, 2019
Leonard, who had 27 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists in the Raptors' Game 6 win against the Bucks, will get another opportunity to play the Warriors in the playoffs. The last time he faced the Dubs in the postseason, he got injured and wasn't able to finish the series.
Now, Leonard is fundamentally if not completely healthy. He will definitely have extra motivation to take down Golden State, who has won three of the last four NBA championships and is gunning for a third straight this season.
The former Finals MVP with the San Antonio Spurs has been more than solid for the Raptors in the playoffs. In 18 postseason games, Kawhi has scored at least 30 points 11 times. He has also been superb on the defensive end, shutting down MVP frontrunner Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East Finals.
Leonard is reminding everyone that he's still one of the best players in the league, if not THE best, and that he's coming for the title, even if it means getting past the Warriors in the Finals.
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