NBA Draft 2012: All-Star Team of Players the Raptors Have Passed on

Brett Deering/Getty Images

With the 2012 NBA Draft just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to put together the best starting lineup the Toronto Raptors could have currently, had they picked the best player available every time they drafted. Fortunately, all these picks were more than five years ago, a sign that Bryan Colangelo has had better draft success than his predecessors. 

PG: Tony Parker

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Parker had a MVP-like season this year, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a first place finish in the Western Conference. He helped to revive Tim Duncan’s career, and averaged career highs in assists per game and free throw percentage this season.

Player picked instead: Michael Bradley

SG: Kobe Bryant

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Bryant will go down as one of the greatest players of all time. He has a good chance of passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career points record if he continues to stay healthy. He also has won five rings, just one fewer than the great Michael Jordan.

Player picked instead: Marcus Camby

SF: Andre Iguodala

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

Iguodala is the best on-ball defender in the league and is much-underappreciated for all the little things he does to help his team win. Iguodala averaged 12.4 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, and 5.5 assists per game while also helping to carry the Sixers past the first round of the playoffs.

Player picked instead: Rafael Araujo

PF: Dirk Nowitzki

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Dirk Nowitzki was the reason the Dallas Mavericks won a title last June. The man was unstoppable making difficult shot after difficult shot. After last year’s performance, it’s hard to argue he’s not one of the 30 best NBA players of all time.

Player picked instead: Antawn Jamison

C: Andrew Bynum

Brett Deering/Getty Images

While Bynum is very immature, when he’s on his game he is the best center in the NBA, and that includes Dwight Howard. He can be a force inside both offensively and defensively. When he decides to give it is all every game, he will be almost impossible to stop.

Player picked instead: Charlie Villanueva