The NBA Had No Answer for Kawhi Leonard in 2019

With a chance to go up 3-2 in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks were left with no answer for Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors.
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[@KinGiliath4177]

Kawhi 2019 run was truly impressive, he was playing MVP level, while leading the team on offense and defence. Sad that he departed next season.

[@HoopVenue]

100%, also makes it so impressive that he got it done in just 1 year though.

[@verward]

@@HoopVenue Right? KD and Kawhi absolutely spoiled us. How many teams are there that make a major roster change and then win immediately? And in the case of KD it was actually less impressive because that roster was already stacked.

[@renemubuntu6707]

​@@verwardwe cant compare kd to Kawhi in that context .kd joined w team who already won and the year they didn't win they won 73 games.Officially one of the best teams in nba history. All kd did was put icing on the cake ,he made sure they swept the cavs .But without him they could have still won .What Kawhi did is entirely different. He took a team that never even made the finals to the promise land

[@tylerriley2587]

I think it’s karma that he should’ve left the Raptors for the clippers, but he wanted to be close to his hometown

[@culturepreneur]

@@HoopVenue give credit to his teammates... he had a amazing supporting cast to make it all possible...

[@brandonwilcox5438]

the peak of his career he had the perfect team and literally just abandoned it. That raptors team would have repeated anyways if covid didnt wreck the franchise, but kawhi left an actual pre made dynasty. Truly wild

[@notthatserious480]

I’m with you on that. Idk about dynasty but we had great odds to win the 2019-2020 season. The lakers were projected to make it to the finals and if I recalled we had a really good record against them.

[@KP-wt8qr]

@@notthatserious480 I feel like in this day and age going b2b would be considered a dynasty, I think it will be a very long time or maybe never again that we see a three-peat.

[@lordcommandersnow1625]

i watched all 82 raptor games and playoffs that year. kawhi was the greatest basketball player ive ever witnessed that year. a true king.

[@TimChiav]

Exact same with me, the only season I watched every game the raptors played. I some how got super in to basketball the the summer leading up the the season, it was the right year to be come a basketball fan.

[@DB_Cooper.]

He’s no Eric Montross.

[@cremdeniro237]

As a Toronto man the parade was the best day of my life 😊

[@driiifter]

The Raptors as a team were insane that season. I didn't even care about the Raptors, but I found myself watching Raptors games. The most memorable thing besides them winning the chip and the Kawhi buzzer beater, it was some random regular season game and their defense was so clamping that it lives in my mind rent free. All 5 dudes were hedging and swiping for the ball and they weren't in a zone, their D was absolutely elite. This video only covers the offensive part lol, their D was the same if not better. I remember OG was blocking Harden at the 3 point line this year. The Raptors and then the Lakers turned the old step back 3 point shooters into embarrassments.

[@HoopVenue]

100% agree, historic defense.

[@thomastalented]

Raptors trash before & After Kawhi was insane, Raptors was just decent at best.

[@user-qo4gu6sy1f]

​​@@thomastalentedbro has vendetta against the 2019 raps💀😭🙏🏾

[@raymndd4698]

@@user-qo4gu6sy1f and the fact that they did good in 2020 too lmao.. i guess if a team doesnt make it to the conference finals theyre trash lol

[@user-qo4gu6sy1f]

@@raymndd4698 guess the bucks are booty then🤣😅

[@beeble7636]

2019 Kawhi is one of my fav players ever. Thanks for making this!

[@HoopVenue]

Same here, glad you enjoyed!

[@Satsuionly]

I miss him 😢

[@j.rjunior5584]

On a bad knee too,

[@talestomazalves8089]

I don't think we'll see a playoff run like this from a scorer soon. Truly special

[@David-iv6je]

And f course Kawhi was one of the best defenders in the playoffs at the same time. MVP caliber.

[@neildcruz3227]

Man that 2019 run was the greatest for me I was so happy being a Raptors fan basketball fan in general Thank God we won the Championship that year truely unforgettable 🙌

[@ScorpioFootball]

Kawhi in 2019 really was on another level man. I’m just hoping he can get one more ring to finish off his career

[@michaelpaullang4401]

Yeah me to cause that’s the only way he’ll get the respect he’ll deserved

[@calebstevens9446]

@@michaelpaullang4401he gets the clippers their first chip after all this, he creeps into my T15 easily

[@Ultimateballer13]

If he stayed 1 more season we would’ve gone back to back. This man was playing some of the greatest basketball we have ever witnessed

[@dudewiththebigfoot]

Kawhi was the best basketball player that postseason. But the addition of Marc Gasol is not talked about enough. Being able to guard Embiid in the semis was huge. Along with a deep bench and their contributions, the Raptors finally were able to get over the hump and win their first NBA Championship.

[@chwehdavid6728]

Kept embiid at 0% fg

[@8ealer]

2019 Championship run by Raptors was one of the greatest and truly unique. It had everything - risky and heartbreaking decisions (trades), hard working team, chemistry, coaching, doubters and entire country of believers. It's like a new car racing team that represents new country finally has a capable car and a pilot good enough to drive it while there is very limited window of opportunity.

[@matthewrutters6842]

They won because of injuries. That disqualifies it as one of the greatest runs.

[@chadwellington2524]

No they didnt haha. They beat the 76ers and bucks who were the 2 best teams besides gs. Then raptors were up 3-2 in series when klay got injured late game 6

[@Digimonboy]

@@matthewrutters6842this also disqualifies every single one of the warriors championships, especially in 2017 when zaza intentionally injured a mvp caliber leonard while up 20+

[@cheesesteakphilly]

⁠@@matthewrutters6842 ​​⁠ Oh okay, so 2015 doesn’t count because GSW won vs Cavs without Kyrie and KLove? Or 2017 where Zaza injured Kawhi in WCF?

[@tj5180]

@@matthewrutters6842you can say that for a lot of finals champions even for Denver and warriors in 2022, bucks and warriors etc and go back in history

[@user-hd8hz8vs2p]

NBA has no answer for a prime healthy Kawhi. Beast on both ends.

[@MikeTheNBAGuy]

Crazy thing is he mightve been better against the Sixers. Truly willed his team to a comeback in game 4 to tie the series, and of course his ATG game 7 performance. Philly had a plethora of good defenders and he was simply unstoppable at times

[@HoopVenue]

That was one of the best shotmaking series’ I’ve ever seen.

[@Tam0de]

There's no doubt in my mind that had Kawhi stayed for another season, the Raptors would have been champions again. That 2019 Toronto team was stacked - Kawhi was the tip of the spear but he had plenty of supporting help to carry the load offensively & defensively.

[@DavidVega-tc8hi]

This dude is insane when he is healthy and people who aren’t avid nba fans know this. When Kahwi is on dude is a top 3 player💀 left team came to the 6 and wins a chip and dips

[@randyhuke3773]

Kawhi was not the whole team. He energized and inspired the team. That Raptors team , including all their bench players were top shooters and would be on any other team. They could lose one or two starters and not miss a beat. Had he stayed in Toronto, that team would have been one of the greatest dynasties ever and Kawhi would be at the top of GOAT lists.

[@stevewilson9778]

Kawhi was out of his mind in 2019. I remember Nowitzki during the Playoffs in 2011 taking his game to a plateau that I've not seen in the 20+ years I've been following NBA basketball, but Kawhi was at that level for the entire regular season plus the Playoffs. It was like lightning in a bottle.

[@e-leven7407]

dude was literally T2, prior to this i had not seen a performance like this in the playoffs by anyone. His middy shots and movement looked like MJ

[@dan61909]

Most underrated defensive team of all time was the 2019 Raptors. Honestly looking back they would’ve beat LA in the bubble to go back to back

[@user-wt4dg4oz6c]

I absolutely love this series by kawhi, I remember they was talking about the raptors potentially getting swept after going down 2-0 but then they won 4 games in a row. Also I would love to see you cover paul george in 2019 he was such an exciting player to watch that year both offensively and defensively esp before the all star break

[@HAA0603]

being from Canada and the next city over from Toronto, i swear 2019 was probably one of the best years of my life. and this championship is definitely the best thing that happened that year

[@kobedropped_8177]

Great vid, need that 2019 Harden vid, one of the best offensive peaks ever

[@Nca021]

Crazy cuz he’s even better now offensively and more efficient than he was in 2019 just can’t stay healthy

[@KINGBatman333]

And He Played 60 Games. TORONTO Knew KAWHI wasn’t even 100%, but all they Needed was a 80% KAWHI, and He Got that shit done💯 Always tell Ppl this, If KAWHI stay Healthy and Play 55-60 Games, U can betcha House He Goin Deep in the Playoffs and Hopefully without injury🤦🏽‍♂️

[@tjchristman8031]

Mannnn as a bucks fan it hurt to see us go out that way. A lot of people don’t remember but that game 3 went to double OT…had the Bucks pulled it out and went up 3-0 that series is likely over. But the way Toronto fought back thanks to their grit and defensive tactics led by Kawhi was something else. I had a newfound respect for Kawhi and that entire Raptors team after that series. Great video!

[@melian9999]

Im surprised he didn't mention game 3. I was at the game, it was a real turning point and it was pretty unreal, 2019 was a special year as a raptors fan.

[@kylegough936]

I was in Jurassic park in Toronto for game 3, whole crowd was terrified in both overtimes

[@chadwellington2524]

As a raps fan thAt series was amazing

[@j.rjunior5584]

But also don't forget, that series should've ended at 5 games, but Pascal chocked on those free throws. 😂

[@ajitghising8112]

Hey bruh! I loved your content. You are a good creator. Nice work👍 TA!

[@johnyusuff7973]

Love the analysis. You have an eye for detail

[@JOHNNYPMUSIC]

Great vid, I would love to see a 2020 AD video. (Arguably the greatest off-ball big szn ever imo)

[@HoopVenue]

Duly noted!

[@linkonedgell894]

Shoulda won DPOY. In spite of hiw amazing Giannis was that year

[@jaerockchalk3216]

yes he was , pure joy watching him in 2019 , he should have resigned gone back 2 back . instead he would rather be a punch line on clippers. so sad . Thanks so much for posting this , brings me back to much happier time in my life , you have no idea how bad i needed this today . Thanks !🥳

[@KP-wt8qr]

Looking back, 2019 was the peak of Kawhi's career.

[@torturedexistence029]

Kawhi got his revenge agains gsw that year. Looking back, it was gsw that started his downward spiral in SA when zaza deliberately put his foot on kawhi's landing spot

[@tearsinrain5768]

2019 kawhi run > over any of kobe's solo championship runs without shaq. Dude was a three level scoring machine that couldn't be stopped that year Do 2011 Dirk finals run or prime dwight HV.

[@HoopVenue]

Both are on the list!

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

Why didn't you say greater than Lebrun or MJ you coward

[@AprehamLincoln]

Kawhi was a different animal that year. The dude never wanted to be a Raptor. I was fully expecting him to sulk all year, mail in a half assed effort and skip town at the end. Instead he shows up, plays his ass off, puts up an all-time great playoff run and gifts the Raptors a ring. The man played better than anyone could have hoped and I have no issue with him leaving after. I'd make that trade 10 times out of 10.

[@waltdiesel]

Great breakdown!

[@noamnakache-3604]

THe 2019 run of the raptors is really impressive and will always be.

[@Clear256]

Great vid.Would love to see you cover Lebron's 2018 run!

[@SsjRose-pr1hz]

He lost tho that too a sweep😢

[@Mendezzzz]

Toronto had a really well rounded roster that year

[@ledgnr197gaming5]

I’d wanna see your take on MVP Rose. His MVP season hasn’t been discussed by anyone besides those whose “analysis” is just listing counting stats. Highlight reel was nuts.

[@paulc4302]

One of the best gamble taken by a GM ever.

[@hallsyyyyy1876]

I remember watching this game with my grandpa on tv magical performance

[@splash_basketball]

Good vid like always, but why is the slo motion not smooth anymore in your last two vids?

[@HoopVenue]

Appreciate that! And unfortunately it’s because the footage from these videos is older, 2017 and 2019 instead of 2023, so the frame rate on some of the clips can get a bit choppy.

[@splash_basketball]

@@HoopVenue Oh alright, I thought it was due to not applying smooth slo motion in the editing process.

[@HoopEnthusiasts]

One of the best playoff runs

[@brandao76]

This is a brilliant break down

[@JimJamJ4]

Im always torn between Kawai and Strasburg as who is the best and most successful "trading/paying away tomorrow for today". Im Canadian and think Kawai is firmly on the Mt rushmore just for that year. He came in, probably hates every second in the city and still showed up and crushed it. Just so much love for what he did, regardless of the warriors roster in the finals he still got us one.

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

That year was EPIC, so glad i saw that

[@noamyair]

yo after that John wall video please can we get prime 2017 russel westbrook

[@NBAHive]

As a Raptors fan, I was just in awe watching him. There aren't as many offensive players as complete as him in NBA history. Truly felt like I was watching MJ

[@youngmelo1841]

Kawhi was a mercenary that year

[@stump4522]

Kawhi just walk in and took Raptors to the promise land and dip in one season.

[@Blazekip]

I will never forget this run by Kawhi and the Raptors

[@DaLizMs]

2019 was a great year.

[@moneymikr7349]

Man this was a lit summer in toronto

[@xSawatdee]

Kawhi delivered a championship hoping it would be enough for the Toronto fanbase to forgive him for wanting to go back home.

[@thisisSPARTAorsprite]

people discount that team, they are an ALL time great team. they would of repeated. with kawhi they took celtics to game 7 in bubble and insane game with crazy game winners, OG even barely played, They were dominate on D and had shooters they coulda been dynasty

[@TheBadgerInMinecraft]

Another buldenholzer classic choke job making 0 adjustments leaving these shooters wide open. Most of these threes are practice shots

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Jaylen Brown your next video Hoop Venue 😤😤😤😤😤😤

[@JustinMack-dr9og]

It felt great to be alive in toronto that time jeez

[@statings]

that lil austin sweat music

[@tylerriley2587]

I do know that last shot against the 76ers still gives the 76ers fans nightmares

[@JYD2020]

there hasnt been too much to cheer for in toronto sports for the last decade so this raptors run had us all united

[@i_fuze_hostages6]

People seem to forget how much load management the spurs do

[@nintenduboy4825]

Bittersweet to see this. Might be difficult for some fans to admit, but Kawhi has fallen to that Grant Hill injury pit along with many who didn't live up to their full potential because of their bodies.

[@TheSoxor123]

If he wins one with the Clips then its going to be sweeter than his Raptors run. Yeah he played godlike during this post season but a ring with his hometown Clips will be remembered more.

[@glovs4188]

Kawhi is my fav player. Just sucks that hd can't stay healthy.

[@covidbryant6412]

healthy kawhi is a deadly kawhi

[@rez9386]

Til this day I still think people under appreciate for what Kawahi has done. Raptors were down 0-2 and the whole WORLD were against the Raptors at that point. Might have been the fact that he was in a team that's from Canada tbh.

[@user-dn3ev9fw4h]

The 2019 raptors defense and Fred vanvleet clutch threes ruined my life as a bucks fab

[@HoopVenue]

VanVleet shot 78% from 3 in Game 5!!! 2019 Raptors were so tough.

[@user-dn3ev9fw4h]

@@HoopVenue vanvleet that series just shot incredibly he was playing like 5’10” curry that series against my bucks his role on that raptors squad is very underrated

[@tj5180]

Norm as well. They just couldn’t miss

[@AdamxAudra]

2017 Kawhi or 2019 kawhi and why?

[@HoopVenue]

I think with 2017 Kawhi you get the more athletic, burst version, which made him a more lethal off-ball player and especially popped out in his on-ball defense, which was still very elite. 2019 was just on another level when it comes to playing with pace/patience, and mapping the floor as both a scorer and playmaker to make tough decisions on the ball. Made him a much better driver through traffic, and had a more versatile in-between game. 2019's the better version for me offensively, but 2017's off-ball game and defensive value close the gap, if I had to pick one it'd be '17, but you can't go wrong with either!

[@newtypezabi]

the 2017 Kawhi is a killer when it comes to offense and defense 2019 is a very wise version of him

[@andrewfanfan]

@@newtypezabi2019 Kawhi is better

[@jaobille79]

The one who won the chip

[@SLRnw]

Been a Laker fan for 27 years but Kawhi is my favorite player he's got a little 2000-2006 to his game

[@johnrouguine3090]

Reminds me of 2017 Isaiah (in terms of being unstoppable ofc)

[@HoopVenue]

2017 Isaiah was also unstoppable defensively

[@johnrouguine3090]

@@HoopVenuesizzling hot take

[@johnrouguine3090]

@@HoopVenue 🌽y

[@jacksonnnnnn]

Fred was best as an off ball 2. his shot creation isnt there 1v1 and he puts up shots that are booty + struggles at the rim

[@canucklehead9250]

"Ahaaa__ah__ah__ah__ah__ah"

[@radezzientertainment501]

godlike run

[@jimbojimbo6873]

Kwamee Leanord is 2019 was one of the best single seasons ever witnessed

[@AndThenShwarmaAfter]

the only thing ill ever remember from Kawhi is that fucking laugh istg😂😂😩🥴

[@macattack583]

why did you leave us kawai lol i miss you we could have had one more run

[@younggarrett93]

He was the best player in the league that season. Offense as good as anybody's, and his defense was still at the top of his game at that point.

[@aztechrex5275]

Best laugh of all time though

[@leojonesiii9738]

The fact the pistons made the playoffs was crazy

[@chuchuchuchia]

Still boggles my mind that he didn't decide to just stay

[@adriandoncarido5771]

2019 Kawhi was immaculate

[@status7505]

2019 bucks🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@onlyfacts3178]

03:30 thats ZONE defence...

[@noneofyourbusiness8349]

Thats why kawhi should have right to load manage. All fans know he great enough to carry team to championship without another superstar. Not for other players though.

[@classicalchad]

5:16 Kawhi showcasing some decent lack of playmaking

[@TheMissiIe]

Kawhi has no answer for the NBA in 2023

[@wabdih]

Happy that I got to see an all time great playoff run from a superstar first hand

[@moody90tree93]

Gave Canada its first NBA championship and left with a mic drop. Boss shit

[@jacksonnnnnn]

"whats the adjustment?" "im guarding giannis... thats the adjustment" kawhi said bet and won 4 games in a row

[@lancescott9851]

Man I miss this Kawhi and these Raptors. Kawhi to Nick Nurse “I’m guarding Giannis” series over

[@sniperyuout187]

Kawhai one of the greatest two way players of all time no debate

[@andrewreid3136]

Man shows up from San Antonio salty as hell....dominates and wins a chip!!! Wish he would have stayed.

[@FrilledD]

It’s possible Raptors could have won another championship with Kawhi if he had stayed . Only teams who could’ve stood in their way are the bucks and the warriors. Warriors had a lot of players injured during the championship and the bucks just got better as team overall.

[@Crazy_Right123]

Kawhi In 2019 is just Built diffrent

[@themange59]

Idk, bit of an asterisk for me cause Golden State lost two of their starters (two of their top three players) in the finals.

[@chadwellington2524]

No. Raps beat 76ers and bucks The 2 best teams besides golden state. The. Were up 3-2 vs gs with klay in

[@BigKettleBoy]

We’ve gone downhill ever since :/ really wish he would’ve stayed, he was perfect for this team

[@alankingchiu]

FVV and Norman Powell were great in the Bucks series, Kawhi of course was the MVP.

[@aquaros5808]

injures helped alot

[@syrilwayne]

If kawhi had stuck his tongue out everytime he attacks during that run, I couldve mistaken him for MJ. Lol

[@PWCDN]

that was a truly superhuman run from beginning to end.