Kawhi Leonard picks up where he left off in a dazzling exhibition Raptors debut

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A new era, new look and a new role, the Kawhi Leonard return to the Raptors definitely featured a newness not many could have envisioned.

Well before he saw his first action, Leonard made it abundantly clear to anyone willing to listen that he would be content serving as a subordinate to Scottie Barnes, the franchise face who resorted to his inner Leonard during last spring’s opening-round playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in pushing the best-of-seven matchup to the limit.

Leonard was pining to play alongside Barnes and more than willing to take a back seat, which is saying a lot for a two-time NBA finals MVP who led Toronto to its championship in 2019.

During the pre-game introductions Tuesday when a skeleton crew suited up for the reigning champion New York Knicks, Leonard emerged as the penultimate player to be announced.

Barnes took his familiar role as the final player, a distinction reserved for the team’s best.

For the Raptors to fully reach their potential, it will be incumbent on Leonard to be at his very best.

Pre-season is hardly an occasion to fully showcase one’s talents, but deep down the road when games turn meaningful, the Raptors’ best chances will depend on Leonard.

Only time will tell what the Raptors run on offence or how they defend when a basket or a stop is required.

Leonard-Barnes tandem lights it up

Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena, where the Raptors won the game 148-98, a key basket or defensive stop was even remotely considered.

The night was all about Leonard with first-round pick Allen Graves, who has been nursing a groin issue, finally able to make his pre-season debut.

The kid’s body frame speaks NBA, but it remains to be determined what precise bench role he’ll serve.

As for Leonard, he sported a white headband, look casual as he normally does, when introduced, even more casual when the Raptors performed their pre-game line dance, for a lack of a better description when starters make their way along the baseline to the cheers and dancing of the club’s reserves.

On Toronto’s first possession, a pin down with Jakob Poeltl setting the screen, freed up Leonard at the top of the key.

The offence flowed freely as Leonard didn’t hesitate in heaving shots.

A steal was one of many impressive sequences produced by Leonard, who seemed to play without breaking a sweat.

Keep in mind the Knicks had played the previous night and not a single starter suited up Tuesday.

Perspective is mandated

The Raptors will play the Knicks in New York Thursday before ending the pre-season one night later in Detroit.

Given the backdrop of an exhibition game, very little, if any, can be gleaned.

Seeing Leonard run up and down the floor, seeing him drain three-pointers and seeing him routine scoring on a baseline turnaround are the kind of sights fans have always seen from Leonard.

Toronto went with its projected starting lineup for opening night, a five-man unit that would also feature RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, whose wonky hamstring didn’t allow the point guard to play a single minute against the Cavs.

Poeltl did play, but never emerged as a difference maker in the wake of a season-long back issue.

He has looked much better, for what it’s worth, in the pre-season and he looked fine against the Knicks, whose clear lack of experience and skill weren’t overly difficult to discern.

In a changing Eastern Conference landscape, one that features the return of LeBron James, who signed this off-season with Philadelphia as a free agent, the return of Tyrese Haliburton to the Indianapolis Pacers and emerging teams such as Orlando, Atlanta and even Washington, the Raptors will be challenged, even though many expect them to be competing for a top-four seed.

Leonard’s three-point shooting, it goes without saying, will definitely help Toronto’s cause, one of many areas Leonard’s presence will be felt.

Until games of significance are played, there’s no telling how the Raptors use Leonard in the half court when a basket is necessary.

Fans shower Leonard with applause

At least Tuesday night, Leonard looked like he had never left town and he played like it.

Fans certainly showed their appreciation by showering Leonard with adulation.

The Barnes-Leonard duo clearly outclassed the Knicks, especially when head coach Mike Brown went with a decidedly youthful unit.

Then again, it was to be expected as was the lopsided nature of the game itself.

As much as no one really knew what to expect from Leonard, his pedigree almost dictated he would play well.

Against New York’s true starters, it may have been a different story, but Leonard is a keen student of the game who knows who to make the necessary in-game adjustments, especially when facing a well-balanced and well-connected Knicks team with Jalen Brunson at the head of the snake, whose father, Rick Brunson, a one-time Raptor from way back in the day, remains on Brown’s staff.

Truth be told, Leonard and Barnes would have beaten the Knicks on their own Tuesday, which says more about New York’s thin lineup than any affirmation of the Barnes-Leonard tandem.

In the first half, the Raptors scored 86 points with Leonard dropping 21 on 12 attempts.

Barnes added 17, while dishing off four assists.

As far as first impressions go, Tuesday night could not have gone any better for the Raptors, who were playing in their first and only home exhibition tip.

Keep in mind the quality of the opposition was suspect at best.

A very encouraging sign to emerge involved Collin Murray-Boyles’ shooting, especially from beyond the three-point arc.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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