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

Honorable Mention: Matt Bonner, Jorge Garbajosa, Jason Kapono, Donyell Marshall, Tracey Murray, Charlie Villanueva

Shooting Guard – Vince Carter

Even though I despise what Vince did to Toronto fans, ‘Air Canada’ gets the nod as the franchise’s best shooting guard. With his flair, athleticism, and clutch scoring, Carter led the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals once and to the NBA Playoffs three times. Despite his lack of effort during his final seasons in Toronto, Carter is widely credited for putting the Raptors on NBA map and bringing basketball into Canada’s mainstream conscience.

Honorable Mention: Doug Christie, Dell Curry, Anthony Parker, Morris Peterson, Jalen Rose

Ppoint Guard – Damon Stoudamire\Mark Jackson

As the Raptors first ever draft pick, Stoudamire came in with expectations and hostility surrounding him; the fans wanted Ed O’Bannon—I love how that turned out.

Nicknamed "Mighty Mouse", Stoudamine was a score-first and pass-second point guard. The reason I have placed him in a tie with Mark Jackson is because of Jackson's underrated floor leadership and passing ability allowed this team to achieve new heights.

Basically, Jackson got VC the ball in the right places, got everyone to hustle, and to play with passion.

I have to acknowledge street legend "Skip to My Lou" aka Rafer Alston. He wasn't anywhere near the best, but he was the first "streetballer" to successfully convert to the NBA game.

Calderon does not make the list until he shows some injury-free seasons, some consistency, and learns to stay in front of his man.

Horrific coaching killed what could have been for Billups.

Ford thought he was a scorer instead of a floor general, and injuries ruined Alvin Williams career.

Honorable Mention: Rafer Alston, Chauncey Billups, Alvin Williams, Jose Calderon, T.J Ford

455
reads

22
comments

1
likes

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?