Raptors fans are still mourning the departure of Kawhi Leonard and although most people have been pretty respectful of the player's choice, they can’t help but wonder, "Where did we go wrong?" The whole thing sort of seems like a bad breakup. We loved our MVP, but the feeling wasn’t as mutual as we'd hoped. Or maybe it was for a while until Toronto got super clingy. Sports experts are now weighing in on how Kawhi’s commitment to personal privacy may have affected his decision to ditch the 6ix. According to a report by The Spun, a leak of information appeared to be what turned Kawhi off of his second LA option, the Lakers. Kawhi's conversations with Magic Johnson set the internet ablaze when news about their meetings first broke. Which, according to former NFL player Cris Carter, certainly didn’t help the Lakers win Kawhi’s trust. All the information that leaked from Magic’s conversations with Kawhi team didn’t help the Lakers case.— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) July 6, 2019 Toronto also struggled to give the player his space. “Kawhi Watch” was all anyone wanted to talk about for weeks. Fans studied the player's every move, word and gesture for clues about his plans. It all seemed endearing until news helicopters began following the athlete’s car and fans lurked wherever they thought the player might pop up. It's safe to say that it got downright creepy at one point. A CP24 news helicopter following two black SUVs. One of which believed to contain Kawhi. pic.twitter.com/dE6qn3NBv3— Rob Gillies (@rgilliescanada) July 3, 2019 And fans seem to agree that the city’s utter infatuation with Kawhi might’ve been too much for him to handle: He gave a few rings to your spurs. Won one in Toronto. Now will probably win in LA. Your just hating cause he left San Antonio. Give @kawhileonard his props, respect, and privacy. These men play a game, and you earned a career due to them!— SaintKillah (@SaintKillahFGC) July 7, 2019 @TSN_Sports For man who enjoys his privacy, Kawhi Leonard staying in Canada with the @Raptors would’ve been a bad move for him and his family. The man couldn’t go anyway while in Canada after the championship without hordes of fans following and surrounding him! #KawhiUpdate— AK (@addskab) July 6, 2019 Love that @kawhileonard wanted privacy. Hope that's why he chose the clippers. Br just said raptors turned down a trade to get pg and Russel... Crazy— JJ Price (@R_Diesel) July 6, 2019 Good to see Kawhi Leonard go to the Clippers and not the Lakers funny thing is they're blaming Magic for letting folks know he talked to Leonard's uncle is the reason why he did not choose the Lakers and he likes his privacy nothing wrong with that a rough stretch for Magic— river of gold (@DarrylPeeks1) July 6, 2019 If you're ever looking for who to blame when it comes to @kawhileonard leaving Toronto... Look no further then @CTVNews. Flying a helicopter up his ass while we know he wants privacy makes you a stage 5 clinger and was definitely a huge red flag for him. #CTVHATESTORONTO— Shaun (@Locksmith905) July 6, 2019 Toronto sports media saying @kawhileonard getting no privacy playing for the @Raptors has nothing to do with him leaving or staying and they say he’s a private guy too.?you can’t have both. @Sportsnet @TSN_Sports @NBATV @nba @espn #NBATwitter #KawhiWatch— Jakub Pogubila (@JPogubila) July 6, 2019 I had heard on one of the local radio stations here in Chicago that Kawhi Leonard was going to want to sign with a team that protected his privacy and respected the fact that he wanted to take his time making his decision. #KawhiWatch— Robin Byrd (@RobinByrd3) July 6, 2019 Perhaps encourage Canadians, to thank @kawhileonard with the grace and gratitude of who we are, leaving behind some of the behaviours of invading his privacy, etc. Best of success to all.— Sharon Creelman (@SharonCreelman) July 6, 2019 It’s hard to say what personal reasons drove Kawhi to choose the Clippers over the Raptors or Lakers. It’s entirely possible he just wanted to play on his home turf and live a quiet, low-key life. A life he might not have been able to imagine for himself or his family in Toronto.
