What people are saying about Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot
Last night’s Raptors game against the Philadelphia 76ers was a nail-biter—but it was ultimately a success for the home team, thanks largely to a clutch, last-second Kawhi Leonard two-pointer that will go down in Canadian sports history. That insane shot was all it took to propel the Raptors to the conference finals. Here’s Twitter’s reaction.
Don’t the kids call sending risky texts “shooting your shot”? Just in case this person needs their tweets punched up:
When you send a risky text and it works out #Kawhi pic.twitter.com/saczGXiMer
— Daniel Kodjovi (@WhodatScorin) May 13, 2019
LeBron James posted a tweet comprised solely of emojis, because pictures really do say a thousand words. Some worry he’s trying to recruit Kawhi to Los Angeles:
??‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️?
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 13, 2019
The Raptors called this a Canadian Heritage Moment (they’re actually “minutes,” though, Raps). Did Kawhi smell burned toast at any point during that shot?
A CANADIAN HERITAGE MOMENT. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/pndqmiPHPX
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 13, 2019
The whole “Heritage Minute” thing was fertile ground. This Hour Has 22 Minutes actor Mark Critch referenced the James Naismith one:
And not a single peach basket was harmed. #HeritageMinute #Raptors #Kawhi https://t.co/ol8HiFkGEz
— Mark Critch (@markcritch) May 13, 2019
Even Historica Canada, the organization that produces Heritage Minutes, got in on the action:
From peach baskets to Kawhi's shot last night, Canadian basketball keeps getting better. This #HeritageMinute gives a throwback on basketball's Canadian roots #WeTheNorth: pic.twitter.com/sAfk4vaJaM
— Historica Canada (@HistoricaCanada) May 13, 2019
Justin Trudeau was watching the game (or at least, whoever runs his social media was):
Eastern finals, here we come! Congratulations @Raptors. #WeTheNorth https://t.co/a1W7BLlSvu
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 13, 2019
Other political leaders watched, too. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said the Raptors lifted up the whole country with that shot:
Are you serious Kawhi?? What a shot!?
The Raptors just lifted up an entire country with that win.
Conference finals let’s go! #WeTheNorth
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) May 13, 2019
In the interest of balance, here’s Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s tweet, too:
What a finish! Congrats to the @raptors on a gutsy game 7 victory. Bring on the Bucks! #WeTheNorth
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) May 13, 2019
Doug Ford also tweeted:
What shot to win the series by Kawhi! Congrats to the @Raptors on their huge Game 7 win to advance to the Eastern conference finals. Bring on the Bucks! #WeTheNorth https://t.co/KgsFa5Zy6b
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 13, 2019
Toronto Blue Jay Marcus Stroman opted for brevity:
KAWHI!!! @Raptors
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) May 13, 2019
Dwayne Wade piped up with a compliment for Kawhi:
WoW! ?? you got the juice now!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 13, 2019
This person caught a freeze frame at just the right moment. Check out the expression on 76ers player Joel Embiid’s face:
the facial expressions are priceless..personal favorite is girl on the bottom left ??#raptors #Kawhi pic.twitter.com/wY8rtt1yI4
— Mattbold (@mattbold28) May 13, 2019
If we’re the North, is Kawhi our Jon Snow?
Imagine watching GOT over this. Basketball is the best. #WeTheNorth
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 13, 2019
Sportscentre anchor Kate Beirness reminds us that Vince Carter once tried, unsuccessfully, to perform a similar feat:
18 years later the shot dropped! #WeTheNorth
— Kate Beirness (@KateBeirness) May 13, 2019
And here, your daily dose of Drake content. He wore 76ers shorts last night, because even he puts some stock in the notion of the Drake Curse:
Drake used the Drake Curse himself to literally curse the 76ers ?? #Raptors #76ers #Kawhi pic.twitter.com/bn5u5EqhoU
— Donavon Deese (@LordDonavon) May 13, 2019