Raptors players and coaches post-championship team photo in Oakland, June 13, 2019 // AP photo, Tony Avelar
On July 18, 2018, the Toronto Raptors traded away a first-round pick, Jacob Poeltl, and their star player DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs. In return, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green would head to the Raptors, and at the time it seemed like a big gamble. The gamble would pay off with Kawhi leading the Raptors to their first championship in June 2019. Although Leonard would ultimately sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, his one-and-done year in Toronto was worth it for fans across the country. Scotiabank has a championship banner, and basketball has become the most popular sport in the cradle of hockey.
To celebrate the anniversary of the Raptors’ championship, we present the top five sneakers worn by the Raptors during the finals. And be sure to check out our look at Vince Carter’s 2000 Slam Dunk Contest win at the All-Star Game and the best sneakers from that weekend.
5. Pascal Siakam, Nike KD10 “Dark Grey”
Pascal Siakam was the third leading scorer during the playoff run leading to the Toronto Raptors championship, and he’s our pick to start the top five. Throughout the finals, Siakam rocked the KD10 “Dark Grey.” Siakam’s shoe is a solid choice, but there are two factors that catapulted the KD10 “Dark Grey” into the top five. First, what a great troll of the Warriors and their injured MVP, Kevin Durant. The second, and most important factor, was the “RIP DAD” and “10/23” Siakam wrote on the shoe’s foam heel in honor of his father, who passed away in 2014.
Siakam’s Nike KD10 “Pure Platinum” // torontolife.com
4. Norman Powell, Nike Kobe AD “Exodus”
Norman Powell wearing his Nike Kobe AD Exodus during Game 6 // slamonline.com
Throughout the finals, Norman Powell played in Nike Kobe AD “Exodus.” Powell also consistently wore Kobe’s low-top model throughout the season and playoffs. With the Kobe AD’s, Powell brought some old school, 1980s’ flavor to the Toronto Raptors Championship run. The majority of today’s NBA players wear sneakers providing more ankle support than low-tops. Powell also gets the nod because he donated a special pair of Nike Kobe ADs in honor of his former teammate, DeMar DeRozan, to the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto: the Nike Kobe A.D. “DeRozan PE Compton.”
3. Kyle Lowry, adidas Harden Vol. 3
For Game 6 in Oakland, Kyle Lowry laced up in the adidas Harden Vol. 3. “White Black.” James Harden’s signature shoe proved to be a solid choice for Lowry, as he finished the playoffs as the second-leading scorer for the Raptors behind Kawhi. Lowry has been such a dependable and dynamic presence for the Raptors, that team president Masai Ujiri called Lowry, “Arguably the best Raptor Ever.”
2. Danny Green, Puma Clyde Court Disrupt “Title Run”
Here at StockX, we love forward-thinking sneaker tech, and we love sneaker history. Both of these things are combined in the reemergence of PUMA basketball. Danny Green was the “other” player traded from San Antonio to the Raptors with Kawhi Leonard. Before the start of the 2018-2019 NBA season, Green signed with PUMA. During the finals, Danny Green rocked the PUMA Clyde Court Disrupt “Title Run” as he and the Raptors chased gold. In addition to helping the Toronto Raptors to their first championship, Green became the first PUMA athlete since Isiah Thomas in 1990 to win the NBA title.
1. Kawhi Leonard, New Balance OMN1S
Kawhi sporting the New Balance OMN1S “Black Gold” // slamonline.com
Before the February 2020 unveiling of the Kawhi’s signature New Balance shoe, aptly named “KAWHI,” he earned his second title and Finals MVP playing in both the “Black Gold” and “White Red” NB OMN1S colorways. As the man that singlehandedly revived New Balance basketball, all Kawhi did was average 30 points per game throughout the playoffs, ending the Golden State Warriors dynasty, and bringing the Toronto Raptors Championship back to Hogtown.
Well done, Mr. Leonard, well done.
