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The wind blows daily and it’s not just on television for energy commercials. The wind blows and we search for meaning in everything Kawhi does. Everything he says. Everything he wears. Does he like winter? Does he hate winter? Does he like us? Does he hate us? Do we ask anybody else about the weather and do we get so little in return?

This is an amazing time for the Raptors. Or just a tease. But is this a one and done? Is this their only shot at an NBA championship or to play for an NBA championship. If he leaves and I’m still betting he does, this dials the clock backwards on what’s next for the Raptors. If Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have proven anything in recent years it’s that they aren’t ready to give up easily. They’re going to try to do the impossible. They’re going attempt to climb walls.

They will make their pitch to Leonard, if they haven’t been making it all season long. And they are as vulnerable while awaiting the answer as anyone is. They are playing the Sally Field Game with their best player and only really great player in Raptors history.

They want to know, does he like us, does he really like us, and lately the interpretation is moving like a stock on the rise.

When Leonard arrived for training camp the Raptors were so protective of their star they had him come out for his initial press conference sitting beside Ujiri. Normally management does the management thing. Players do the player thing. And there’s never a reason to share podiums.

But this was Leonard. And they weren’t going to take any chances. And they were going to protect him — from what, I don’t know? — as long as they can protect him. And even on the inside there is this protective wall of sorts around Leonard, who hasn’t exactly taken Toronto by storm off the basketball court and hasn’t exactly warmed up to his teammates, whom he will depend greatly on come playoff time.