The Ultimate Toronto Raptors Team: A Look Through The Years At The Best

In the hustle and bustle after the first couple of waves of free agency, there is always a lull before the season starts. While I am working on a Mega GBN with my good friend—and No.2 Raptors Writer—Brandon Marsdin, I decided I wanted to take a look at how many good players the Raptors have truly had over their 10-year history.

I compiled a list of the ‘best’ players at their respective positions in order to come up with the Ultimate Raptors Team.

Center: Andrea Bargnani

This position was relatively easy considering the Raptors haven’t really had a dominant center in their existence. Though Bargnani is not dominant, he brings a wealth of skills to a position that other centers do not have.

Camby started to become the defensive player he is after he was traded to New York. Rasho and Kevin Willis came to Toronto on the downside of their careers.

Honorable Mention: Rasho Nesterovic, Marcus Camby, Kevin Willis   

Power Forward: Chris Bosh

This is another easy choice as Bosh has developed quite nicely over the past six years. Bosh is one of the many players Toronto has had the pleasure of building the franchise around.

With career averages of 19.6 points and 9.2 rebounds a game, Bosh has complied a great resume in Toronto.

Keon Clark was good during his two seasons in Toronto. Ironically enough, he was a less offensive minded version of Bosh.

Davis and Oakley were good for two seasons but were both well into their 30s when they came to Toronto.

Jerome Williams was a fan favorite. He was a rugged defender and rebounder—something today’s Raptors require. Sharone Wright was very underrated. If not for his horrific injury, he would have been more than a serviceable player. 

Honorable Mention: Keon Clark, Antonio Davis, Charles Oakley, Jerome Williams, and Sharone Wright

Small Forward – Tracy McGrady

Does any one really remember how skinny and lost McGrady looked when coming into the league? What about the vast improvement that followed? It was startling and astounding without a doubt.

The only question that persists regarding McGrady: if his immaturity and lack of a winning attitude had not gotten in the way of his own personal and selfish desires. The Raptors would have had a championship caliber team.

With that aside, McGrady blows away a field of specialists, could-have-been’s, and never-were’s

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