Sure, Toronto Raptors fans have seen Kawhi Leonard back in the jersey in pre-season, but there's nothing sweeter than the real thing.
Ahead of the Raptors' regular-season opener against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night (Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT), Leonard put together a tribute video to properly reintroduce himself to the fans off the court before he does so on the court.
"Toronto, it's been a minute since I left, and one thing I've learned about time: People move on, things change, and even the greatest moments become memories," Leonard said in the video posted to social media on Tuesday. "But some things ... some things stay with you. What we shared here, that's forever."
In a shocking turn of events, Leonard made his way back to Toronto this summer after a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, marred by controversy.
Bu since finally putting the Raptors jersey back on, making his first public appearance with the team at media day back in late September, and appearing in two pre-season clashes against the New York Knicks, Leonard has made a point of looking toward the future rather than dwelling on the past.
And while he took some time to revel in nostalgia in Tuesday's video, the only way Leonard appears to want to go is forward.
"You never asked me to be anybody else, you let me be me. They say the second time around isn't as good as the first, but we'll see," Leonard said. "One thing I know: it wasn't luck the first time, and I still know what it takes. But I'm not here to live in the past; I'm here for what's next. Here in the north, we got a young team. Hungry and ready. And just like we had our moment, we're trying to shock the world again.
"So, Toronto, let's make this unforgettable. As I return to you."
