NEW YORK — The night was unlike any other basketball night in Toronto. It was in Canada last May when Kawhi Leonard, under duress and running out of time, hit The Shot; that incredible fadeaway jumper from the corner that bounced, bounced and bounced off the rim before falling softly through the net and ignited a nation-wide celebration for the ages.
It was also a father-son moment Jose Calderon and nine-year-old Manuel will never forget, but not only because of Leonard’s heroics. Throughout that day and night Canadians approached the elder Calderon, a beloved Toronto Raptors player for eight seasons, and asked him to pose for a photo, sign autographs or simply to say hello. During one stoppage in Game 7 between the Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, Calderon was shown on the large scoreboard. The crowd erupted. And little Manuel was confused.
“Why do they know you here,” the son asked his father.
Manuel knew that his dad was an NBA player, but he never…
