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LA Clippers: Which supporting cast was Kawhi Leonard’s best?

By Ethan Smith

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 11, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 11, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the team bus during the Toronto Raptors Championship Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the team bus during the Toronto Raptors Championship Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Number 5: 2018-2019 Toronto Raptors

Best Supporting Player: Pascal Siakam 

Record: 58-24 

Playoffs: Won NBA Finals 4-2 over Golden State Warriors

You are probably thinking, “Wait, didn’t this team win the NBA Finals?”. Well, yes they did, but looking at the roster that was created by Masai Ujuri compared to others that Kawhi has had over the course of his career, it does not match up well.

The Raptors sported a roster that included Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanFleet and other complimentary players. That is a pretty good set of players, but when comparing them to the likes of Ray Allen, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker, they don’t exactly make a favorable case against those players.

The Raptors were very impressive en route to their first NBA title though, ranking in the top five in offensive and defensive efficiency and top ten in points per game and points allowed per game. Head coach Nick Nurse did a fabulous job with what he was given and yes, the Raptors did very much avoid the likes of Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant for much of that Finals series, but the record will always show Leonard leading the North to their first title.

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