It was always gonna be tough for the Raptors to match the high of the pre-game festivities on Wednesday night with their on-court play against the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard receiving his ring from Kyle Lowry, after a stirring and perfectly executed video tribute was almost guaranteed to be the highlight of the evening.
And man — did the Raptors and their game ops crew ever do that part right. From the standing ovation Leonard received upon emerging from the tunnel, to the wonderfully produced montage, all the way up to the light-lowering and fluorescent retracing of Leonard’s steps on the road to making the Sixers weep — the touch was deft, the eyes in the house misty.