The Toronto Raptors have confirmed themselves to be the 2019 NBA champions. They managed to thwart the Golden State Warriors’ effort to score three peats or three consecutive champions. The success of Raptors won the championship also marked few records. They are:
The first Canadian team to win the NBA
Raptors became the first Canadian team to win the NBA. Consisting of 30 teams, the NBA is not only followed by teams based in the United States, but also neighboring countries, Canada. At present, the Raptors are the only team from that country, while 29 other teams are based in the US.
However, the Raptors are not the only Canadian team to have participated in the NBA. In the early days of NBA expansion in Canada, there was also another team, the Vancouver Grizzlies. But in the 2000-2001 season, the Grizzlies moved to Memphis, Tennessee which in fact was in the US. The move made the name of the Grizzlies automatically changed to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The second highest Kawhi-Pascal point in NBA history
Achievement of points made by the Raptors players, Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam, made them the second highest achieving duo in NBA history. Kawhi-Pascal made it through the achievements of a number of legendary duets, such as Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant at the LA Lakers in 2000 and Hakeem Olajuwon-Clyde Drexler in the Houston Rockets in 1995. Kawhi-Pascal equaled the achievements of Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen at the 1992 Chicago Bulls.
However, they still lost to the Miami Heat duo in 2012, LeBron James-Dwyane Wade in 2012.
The Champion title of Gasol brothers
The success of the Raptors to become champions made Marc Gasol succeed in getting the achievement that his brother, Paul Gasol, had inscribed. Gasol brothers became the first siblings to win the NBA championship ring. Paul Gasol was recorded as having won a championship while strengthening LA Lakers in 2009 and 2010.
Gasol brothers are from Spain. Before a career in the NBA, both had strengthened the Barcelona basketball team. Barcelona also feel proud of the former player’s score.
Kawhi, three peat failing specialist
Kawhi Leonard is arguably the most important actor behind the Raptors title. Not only did he manage to win the MVP title in the final, Kawhi also helped his team foil the efforts of the Warriors to score three peats or three consecutive champions. That success repeated Kawhi’s achievements in 2014. While still strengthening the San Antonio Spurs, he managed to deliver his team to the championship, won the final MVP, and thwarted the Miami Heat’s effort to win three peats.
Kawhi-Danny Green is always together and becomes a champion
Like Kawhi, Danny Green has also strengthened Spurs. He also helped deliver Spurs to the 2014 NBA championship. In 2019, Green returned to being the champion while still in the team with Kawhi. However, this time the two have strengthened the Raptors.
