Danny Green of the Toronto Raptors has spoken about the well-being of his team colleague Kawhi Leonard. He therefore seems to like the new environment.
“He’s definitely talking more than ever, both on and off the field. It looks like he’s comfortable. He seems to feel at home,” said Kawhi’s long-time team-mate, who was traded from San Antonio to Toronto this summer along with the 2014 final MVP.
He also added: “He talks to the boys, is a role model and says what he thinks and how he feels. Before that, he never really spoke his mind. Now he’s leading the team more than ever.”
According to Green, this turnaround is partly automatic because the younger Raptors tend to look up to Leonard. In the Spurs he had primarily subordinated himself to legends like Tim Duncan or Tony Parker, even though he was San Antonio’s best player in recent years.
Also his new coach Nick Nurse has noticed Leonards in comparison to his reputation more open manner: “He is an extremely hard worker, very intelligent and an excellent leader. I won’t go into details, but he went to certain players and integrated them a bit into the group. He shared some of his knowledge.”
For the Raptors this is of course very good news. Toronto took a big risk with the trade for Leonard, in which the previous franchise player DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Pöltl were sold, as Leonard’s contract only runs for one year. Therefore, the franchise hopes that Leonard will like it in Canada and extend his contract next year.