Serge Ibaka may have just convinced Kawhi Leonard to stay in Toronto… for a few days this summer during Caribana.
(Sorry.)
It’s a start, though, right? But seriously, if Leonard re-signs with the Toronto Raptors this off-season, Ibaka should absolutely get a cut of the commission. The big man has made it his personal mission this season to make Leonard feel comfortable in hopes he’ll stay put in Toronto. And unlike Leonard, he hasn’t been shy about talking about it.
In a long-awaited edition of his popular YouTube series, How Hungry Are You?, in which he prepares… let’s call them “creative” dishes for his teammates, Ibaka sat down with Leonard in an effort to help Raptors fans get a rare glimpse into the mind of the most mysterious man in T.O.
“So far since I’ve been out here, [I’ve noticed] just overall the culture and diversity of the city, how nice people are,” Leonard told Ibaka. “I still want to go out to Niagara Falls, see what that’s looking like. So far I’ve been enjoying it, we’re winning, it’s not a boring city.”
In addition to talking up Toronto’s summer scene, Ibaka raised the question every Raptors fan has been asking since Leonard landed in Toronto after last summer’s blockbuster trade: “Are you coming back? Next year?”
As expected, Leonard didn’t budge from his usual response — and left just enough space for hope. Here’s the clip in question:
Did Kawhi say… "When I come back"!?
(: @sergeibaka) #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/rLe6dyu6rU
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) April 11, 2019
Kawhi was also asked about his definition of a successful season with the Raptors.
“Coming out of the season healthy for sure, but what we’ve been talking about all year — being able to get to the Finals and win. That’s always my mindset coming into the season, that’s always a goal of mine,” he said.
The Raptors have made it clear all year they’re all in to win now, and Leonard — who knows what it means to win it all (2014) but has also been on the losing end in the 2013 Finals — echoed the sentiment.
“When you have an opportunity like this, you’ve got to go for it,” he said. “You’ve got to go for it. Because you never know when the next chance is going to come.”
Leonard also explained why he’s not on social media — nope, not even a burner — and won’t be getting himself a Twitter account any time soon.
“The laugh… or the New Balance shoes that came out. Did I need to post anything, or was it already up on there?” he said. (Fair point.)
“We spend so much time playing basketball and being around people all day,” he explained. “I’d rather just be at home with my off time going towards my family or my friends, enjoying the moment. Living life, not through a phone.”
Now, as for the question we’ve all really been wondering this whole time: What did Ibaka cook… and did Kawhi take a bite? Cue it up to the 17-minute mark and see for yourself:
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