Here's how Raptors fans reacted to hearing Kawhi Leonard laugh for the first time
Oh, the anticipation.
Kawhi Leonard spoke to the media in Toronto for the first time since he was traded to the Raptors more than two months ago. Lots has been said about the enigmatic superstar since the trade, but having not heard anything directly from him, it sparked this as the appropriate first question at media day:
“A lot of people up here don’t know much about you,” the reporter said. “How would you describe yourself? And what would you like people to know about you?”
Some smiling and laughing from Kawhi Leonard during his introductory press conference with the Raptors. pic.twitter.com/uYNYldpwDC
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 24, 2018
Wearing a red Raptors jersey, Kawhi responded in a perfect monotone voice: “I’m a fun guy. Obviously, I love the game of basketball.”
Unsure of how to really finish the answer to the question, he stopped himself.
“I mean, there’s just more questions you have to ask me in order for me to tell you about myself. I can’t just give you a whole spiel.”
If you’ve ever faced this type of question in a job interview, you can probably sympathize with the NBA superstar.
Kawhi, who hadn’t yet picked the reporter out of the throng of media, added: “I don’t even know where you’re sitting at.”
And then, he did something that shocked everyone.
He laughed.
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Hearing him laugh for the first time, fans, media, and even Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman weighed in. They didn’t know whether to be overjoyed or terrified:
That's the first time in my life that I've heard Kawhi laugh lol
— Bud Lane (@bud22089) September 24, 2018
After hearing Kawhi’s laugh, I’m all in on the @Raptors this season. That’s a extremely funny/scary/savage laugh. Wouldn’t mess with that guy! Lol 🖐🏾
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) September 24, 2018
Kawhi been hiding the best laugh in the game for his whole career. Lol 😂😂😂 https://t.co/H4IrhcPpG7
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) September 24, 2018
Making Kawhi’s laugh my text tone
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) September 24, 2018
Dude. Kawhi's laugh is scary. Like how when a robot tries to mimick laughing for the first time. https://t.co/ti02Scm38o
— Polo Bustamante (@polo_bustamante) September 24, 2018
We lost DeMar’s laugh but we gained Kawhi’s laugh. Fair trade tbh
— immaann (@BoooooUWhore) September 24, 2018
I been laughing at Kawhi's laugh for like 3 hours straight now
— Beyonce has an uncle named Larry Beyince. Bruh…. (@DragonflyJonez) September 24, 2018
Kawhi laughs like his software needs to be updated https://t.co/MLAcK9RGWt
— Zito (@_Zeets) September 24, 2018
Fans are hoping more laughs are to come. Many expect Kawhi to bolt for Los Angeles at the end of this season, so the Raptors will try to keep a smile on his face in an effort to change his mind.
The Raptors will now head west to Vancouver where they’re conducting training camp all week, before the preseason kicks off at Rogers Arena against the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday.
See also
- Basketball fans can't believe the size of Kawhi Leonard's hands
- New Raptors guard Danny Green will help sell Kawhi Leonard on Toronto
- Raptors hire Kawhi Leonard's best friend to coaching staff
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