Kawhi Leonard Opens Up About Learning From Last Year's Raptors

Just when the Toronto Raptors couldn't be more delighted to have superstar Kawhi Leonard back in a Raptors uniform this season, his passion and relentless drive for improvement have given them another reason to smile.

Last year's Raptors fell short in the first round of the playoffs to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the team chose to run it back with most of the same players including Collin Murray-Boyles and Scottie Barnes.

With that, Leonard took notice of the immense grit the Raptors have continued to show this year, emphasizing his desire to learn from them this season.

"They did amazing last year," Leonard told David Aldridge of The Athletic. "Everybody thought they were in a rebuild mode, and they end up the 4 or 5 seed last year, taking a good [Cavaliers] team to 7 games. So, I'm just learning from them. They're helping me carry my energy. Everybody's been great, from RJ, to Quickley, [Poeltl], and Scottie, of course… Everybody's just trying to help me mesh with the team and be myself on the floor."   

Leonard's chemistry with the team became evident his first regular-season game back with Toronto as he scored 23 points and logged six rebounds plus two assists. He had a similar performance on Friday against the Washington Wizards, tallying 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Meanwhile, Barnes came off an impressive season in which he averaged 18.1 points, 5.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He's kept up that trajectory so far, having scored 51 points while shooting 44.4% from the field on the season after the Raptors' first two games. 

Murray-Boyles has been electric defensively during his second year with Toronto, combining for four steals in two games and making one block. He also shot an impressive 50% in the Raptors' win over the Washington Wizards.

Quickley is another Raptor who could take a step forward this year, averaging 17.5 points so far after recording 23 against Chicago. Besides his offense, Quickley has shown an ability to contribute on the other end, consistently swarming ball handlers.

Although Leonard is unfortunately sitting out of tonight's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to swelling in his left knee per Marc Stein, he and the Raptors' offense were humming prior to the injury.

The 35-year-old will have another opportunity to build the camaraderie with his fellow Raptors as they return home to host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday evening.