Kawhi Leonard mural updated to famous Game 7 winner
The love affair between Toronto fans and Raptors star forward Kawhi Leonard that started with an offseason trade has only grown larger throughout the playoffs, and the street art bearing his resemblance has done the same.
A mural of Leonard went up in downtown Toronto prior to the team’s second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, and an updated version appeared on Sunday afternoon ahead of a pivotal Game 3 at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The image depicted on the mural? What else besides Leonard hanging in the air, watching his now-historic Game 7 buzzer-beater float towards the rim on the way to becoming his most celebrated moment to date as a Raptor.
THE SHOT! New mural of Kawhi Leonard on bldg at Queen St. West & Duncan. Recreates iconic buzzer beater shot from Game 7 match-up against the Sixers that got them to Eastern Conference Finals. Tonight is Game 3 against Bucks at Scotiabank Arena. #Raptors #Kawhi #Toronto pic.twitter.com/GGkaeDW3Zq
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) May 19, 2019
The lasting image of Leonard with his right hand still extended in the air, tongue hungrily hanging out the side of his mouth, and right foot still extended as he lands after a fadeaway, can also be seen in an instant classic photo taken by Yahoo Sports Canada’s own Kishan Mistry.
Between the pair of murals, billboards in Dundas Square, and the speed at which his New Balance signature shoes had sold out, the “He Stay” movement in Toronto has done everything in its power to convince Leonard that the city should be his new long-term home.
Now it’s up to the team to win Game 3, and present the most convincing argument of all: making the NBA Finals.
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