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Enjoy the games, appreciate the performances, but realize this year鈥檚 two-month marathon of intensity cannot and should not be handicapped.

There are compelling stories about to unfold, though. And some should be watched through the narrow prism of the Raptors as much as they should be viewed in the global NBA. Here are five:

Remember Kawhi?

It was truly a pleasure and a revelation to watch Kawhi Leonard perform in the Raptors’ dizzying run to the 2019 championship. His play, his will, his steadfast resolve were things that those who watched closely will never forget.

Yes, Kyle Lowry was delightful and Marc Gasol was crafty and Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet were ascendant. But Leonard? He was other worldly in his stoic, take-no-prisoners way. If he can do that again this spring, do not bet against his Los Angeles Clippers.

Leonard is healthy and playing great, and if fans in these parts really want to relive the good old days, pay attention.

Picking up the pieces

If Raptors fans can dream grandiose dreams, how鈥檚 this one?

The Milwaukee Bucks, even with Damian Lillard making an unexpected return from a blood clot issue that had threatened his career, flame out early in the playoffs, perhaps as early as the first round against Indiana.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, with more than a decade in with the Bucks, looks around, sees an aging, diminishing crew and says, “I鈥檓 done, I鈥檓 out. I did what I can do here.”

Don鈥檛 think that the Raptors, through some back channels in the NBA ecosystem, haven鈥檛 already planted that thought in his head. And know they will try to land him if they can. A big-name player, every draft pick they can offer, a few extra bodies? They at least have to make the offer.

So cheer against the Bucks if you like, it might be the way land a bona fide superstar.

Think of Rajakovic

Who knows what the Denver Nuggets will do? Maybe they鈥檙e galvanized by the shocking late-season dismissal of coach Michael Malone. Maybe Kitchener鈥檚 Jamal Murray rediscovers his championship-style form . Maybe they flame out.

But Darko Rajakovic will be watching Nikola Jokic. The Raptors coach聽might love Scottie Barnes but he loves Jokic.

鈥淲hen we talk about the best player in the world, in my opinion, my personal opinion is it’s Nikola Jokic,鈥� Rajakovic said of his Serbian brother. 鈥淎nd why Nikola Jokic is the best player in the world? Because 100 per cent of the time, he makes the right decision 鈥� not 85 per cent, but 100 per cent of the time.鈥�

And 海角社区官网fans should want good things for the coach.

For old time鈥檚 sake

Of all the visiting players who have come through Toronto, the most appreciated was Kobe Bryant. But Steph curry is a close second. And with the championship window closing on Curry, Draymond Green and Golden State, fans are sure to pay close attention to how they do.

It鈥檚 not going to be easy聽鈥斅爐he Warriors’ first-round series with Houston is compelling because the teams just don鈥檛 like each other聽鈥� but it鈥檚 a story not to be ignored.

The local angle

And, finally, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

If there is one playoff run that fans in Canada want to pay attention to, it鈥檚 how the Hamilton native and the Oklahoma City Thunder fare in their search of a first NBA title.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the favourite to win the NBA鈥檚 MVP award, is the darling of Canadian basketball fans. He鈥檚 coming off a brilliant regular season in which the Thunder amassed the best record in the league. How he and his teammates handle the cauldron of the playoffs will be an enduring story.

So, yes, the Raptors are sitting out the playoffs but their fans don鈥檛 have to.