DeMar DeRozan will always hold a special place in the hearts of Toronto Raptors fans. In the wake of their team's game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, though, it's safe to say even those still lamenting Toronto's decision to trade him last summer at least now see where Masai Ujiri was coming from.
As the Spurs lead the Raptors 117-116 with just over 20 seconds on the game clock, Kawhi Leonard stole the ball from DeRozan — the player he effectively replaced in Toronto — and streaked the other way for a go-ahead dunk.
KL² IN THE CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/97LJ9kCQaa
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 23, 2019
Interestingly, it was Kyle Lowry who helped Leonard create that turnover. Lowry is DeRozan's best friend and a vocal critic of how Ujiri and team management handled Toronto's summer roster overhaul.
The Raptors went on to beat the Spurs 120-117.
DeRozan, who received a raucous standing ovation during pre-game introductions and scattered cheers throughout the ensuing 48 minutes of play, acquitted himself well at Scotiabank Arena. He finished with 23 points, four rebounds and eight assists on 7-of-12 shooting.
It was Leonard, ironically enough, who struggled to be efficient and get his teammates involved, scoring 25 points on 23 shots with just two assists.
But there's far more to Leonard's game than offense, of course, and he showed it in the most symbolic form possible with the game on the line.
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