Monday is not turning out to be a very productive day in Toronto.
As the Raptors' championship parade headed down Lakeshore on its way to Nathan Phillips Square, huge crowds flooded the streets to celebrate the franchise's first NBA title, and the city's first major sports championship since 1993.
Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard, perched on top of a double-decker bus alongside Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Drake, was in awe at the sea of people.
"I don't believe anyone went into work today," said the Finals MVP. Always the pragmatist, Leonard quickly amended his statement: "Or they got the first few hours of the day off.
"Look at it. It's crazy."
"The last few days have been amazing. No sleep. A lot of celebrating." - Kawhi Leonard <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheNorthDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheNorthDay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaptorsParade?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaptorsParade</a> <a href="https://t.co/3kaILFMrwA">pic.twitter.com/3kaILFMrwA</a>
—@cbcsports
Leonard said the days since the parade have featured no sleep and a lot of celebrating.
Meanwhile the NBA future of the 27-year-old all-star is still on the minds of fans — and players. Lowry led a "five more years" chant along the parade route in reference to Leonard's upcoming free agency decision.
The Raptors can offer Leonard a five-year extension worth about $190 million US, while other teams can offer only four years for about $140 million.
Leonard could start negotiating with teams as a free agent on June 30.
Crowd to Kawhi: ONE MORE YEAR<br><br>Kyle Lowry to crowd: FIVE MORE YEARS <a href="https://t.co/rYImiYzVTv">pic.twitter.com/rYImiYzVTv</a>
—@YahooCASports
Leonard is still just taking it all in after winning his second career Larry O'Brien Trophy.
"It's been amazing," he said. "Thank you Toronto, thank you Canada for the support, we did it."
As the parade inched forward — noticeably behind schedule — members of the Raptors smiled from open top double-decker buses, some splashing the crowds with champagne. At one point, Lowry, the longest-serving member of team, was seen hoisting the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy while some of his teammates smoked cigars.
"This is unbelievable," Lowry said.
Drake, red solo cup in hand, was also at the centre of the celebration as he sat next to Leonard as the Finals MVP showed off his trophy to the crowd.
CBC tossed the microphone to Drake on top of a bus!<br><br>And Drake had some words for crowd <a href="https://t.co/koQkZK0gXl">pic.twitter.com/koQkZK0gXl</a>
—@cbcsports
The Warriors took out a full-page ad in Monday's Toronto Star to congratulate them on their achievement.
The Warriors really took out a full-page ad in the Toronto Sun congratulating the Raptors <a href="https://t.co/87vYCJ0uj9">pic.twitter.com/87vYCJ0uj9</a>
—@ThompsonScribe
from Sports - Sports Canada - Google News http://bit.ly/2XUhhNU
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June 18, 2019 at 01:04AM
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