But the Toronto Raptors have a championship banner and rings, and we have the photo evidence. The Most Overrated Players In The NBA Today, The Greatest UNC Tar Heels Basketball Players of All Time. And for a long while after it seemed to have gone irreparably awry. Some of the loudest ovations given to former Raptors upon their return have been reserved for Oakley. You get the former more often than the latter, which is why Ibaka’s played 27 minutes or more a night each of his three seasons in Toronto, averaging 13.9 points, 7.1 boards, and 1.4 blocks per game. Raptors president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster had met with Ibaka, the 30-year-old … Louis Williams (American football) (born 1979), American... Terrence James Elijah Ross (born February 5, 1991) is an American professional basketball... All The Craziest NBA Dunk Contest Championship Performances. And even though it’s likely you don’t remember much of McGrady’s Raptors career, we can guarantee you’ll remember at least one moment that he was a prominent part of, but gets next to no credit for. Kyle Lowry taught Canada how to appreciate basketball. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! But who will reign supreme? It’s a shame he wasn’t on the team when they finally got over the hump, because I’m not sure any Raptor sacrificed more. Please rank the players based only on their time with the Raptors. We emphasize teaching players proper fundamentals along with good sportsmanship and teamwork. In his finest moment, Davis averaged 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds in the Raptors’ seven-game series against the Philadelphia 76ers while going up against Hall of Fame defender Dikembe Mutombo. Lexi loves working with all of her co-workers. We have you covered with some fast facts on the Raptors' latest signing. Six more playoff appearances, eight playoff series victories, five Atlantic Division titles … and one NBA championship. The deal also includes a player option in the second season. The smile he would flash when the goal was reached. The Toronto Raptors' run to their first NBA title captivated a nation and forever changed the lives of people on both sides of the border. The Raptors have to take advantage of the mismatch they have over the 76ers’ bench — they may have the best player in this series in Leonard, but the 76ers arguably have four of the top five. A list of the best Toronto Raptors of all time. This coming season the Toronto Raptors will have three players in particular that could have an underrated season in 2021 and it shouldn’t get overlooked at all. The great Toronto Raptors experiment began on Nov. 3, 1995, in front of 33,306 fans at the then SkyDome. One of the best current NBA players, Bosh bolted Toronto in 2010 for Miami to team up with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. As players came and went, Peterson remained a productive, defensive-minded stalwart, providing steady three-point shooting, a gutsy eagerness to drive, and the occasional clutch circus shot. There are plenty more: The five all-star games, the franchise records for three-pointers made, steals, triple-doubles and — barring anything unforeseen in the 2019–20 season — eventually assists. Something was going to happen — good or bad — when he entered the game. Parker helped usher in a winning mentality during his three seasons in Toronto and was a big part of the team’s first-ever Atlantic Division title in 2007. — Zwelling, T-Mac didn’t become a superstar until he left Toronto for Orlando and escaped the shadow of his cousin, Vince Carter, but during his formative years with the Raptors he offered several glimpses of the eventual two-time scoring champion he would become. Enter your email address to get a new one. The Greatest African NBA Players of All Time, The Best Current NBA International Players. It didn’t hurt that Williams was more excited to be a Raptor than anyone before him. — Loung, Just how high Siakam’s ceiling resides is one of the most fascinating questions for Raptors fans and management alike as the franchise charts its future course. Edited and designed by Craig Battle and Gary Melo. He embraced Toronto and took part in a number of events in the city, including the Zombie Walk. That’s just one of his accomplishments over the course of his rise to the peak of a quarter-century of Raptors players. After being a EuroLeague Champion and two-time MVP, Parker was a double-digit scorer and shot 42 per cent from three for the Raptors while more than holding his own on the defensive side of the ball. — Zwelling, At the age of 31, the man known as the “Michael Jordan of EuroLeague” brought his talents back to the NBA. TORONTO (AP) — With potential uncertainty ahead at point guard, the Toronto Raptors chose two backcourt players in the NBA draft Wednesday night, selecting 6-foot-1 … Rose’s best quality was his candid nature with the media — unsurprising in retrospect as he’s moved on to a successful broadcasting career. Arjun, 13, spoke to a few players, including point guard Kyle Lowry. — Bennett, Christie was a top-end three-and-D role player before we even knew what that was. When the trading deadline was over, the Raptors became the youngest team in the league with an average age of 24.6 years. Holiday,G. Raptors Lacrosse mission is to give kids a chance to play the most exciting sport of on earth. His feel for time and situation; his uncanny knack and unfailing nerve for stepping in and drawing charges; and the fierceness with which he approached every moment and battled for every call. He never wanted to leave and, in some ways, he never did. Please contact us. For a franchise that hasn't had many winning seasons, the Raptors have had a number of Rookie of the Year Award winners. Yet that didn’t … Former Maryland Players Who Played In The NBA * Including anyone currently in the NBA; NBA career stats since the 1946-1947 season. Read on for the results. He gave Toronto a hard-nosed defensive identity in support of Carter’s theatrics and just enough scoring. — Loung, “Don’t worry, I got us.” Five words that encapsulate DeRozan perfectly. As much as his game had evolved, Bosh needed help to go deeper in the post-season, and after seven seasons he went to Miami to find it. Not only did he become the third Finals MVP to have won the award with two teams, he is also the first person to win Finals MVP with a team from each conference. ), Naranjeros logo, 84 Cubs logo, Dback Snakehead, Kachina logo, Orioles Cartoon bird,Blue Jay logo current, Swinging friar, Old Raptors … The franchise has never had a player as savvy, clever or competitive. He found it and was very effective for a time, helping the Raptors to their first-ever Atlantic Division title in 2006–07. This Just In Location: Old Pueblo; Favourite Logos: Chief Wahoo (get over it! Along the way, he also stuffed a few stat sheets. Formed in 1995, the Raptors are currently the only NBA team based out of the United States. And try not to get misty when you think of just how far this team has come. — Donnovan Bennett, It was no coincidence Toronto led the NBA in three-point shooting after his arrival at the trade deadline in 2019. Ad Choices Pascal Siakam had seven points and Fred VanVleet added five in the spurt as neither team led by more than two until Matt Thomas’ 3-pointer and basket sent the Raptors … A source close to the team confirmed a report on Saturday that the Raptors had re-signed the 26-year-old to a four-year, $85-million US deal, keeping one of the best backcourts in the league intact. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. Lowry provided those who watched closely a complete basketball education. — Loung, Talented yet mercurial, Ibaka’s just as likely to leave you in awe when he takes over a game as he is to leave you flabbergasted when his worst instincts take over. The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared on the roster for the Toronto Raptors NBA franchise. Yes, his greatest accomplishment is probably only a dunk contest win, but without Carter there might not even be a Raptors anymore, let alone an NBA championship. That won’t go without acknowledgement — if Kyle Lowry has anything to say about it, the team is expected to present him with a ring before much longer. The best example of this is star power forward Chris Bosh. Facing double and at times triple teams and often performing on one leg, Leonard scored 732 points during the 2019 playoffs, the third-highest scoring total for a single NBA post-season. And as if the team didn’t have enough to celebrate right now, they are also recognizing their 25th season in the NBA with a series of “95 Rewind” nights. List RulesPlease rank the players based only on their time with the Raptors. Serving Castle Rock, Castle Pines and Highlands Ranch. More will be asked of Norm Powell this season than ever before, more opportunity and more responsibility for the veteran Raptors guard. — Grange, Where to begin with Vincent Lamar Carter? In the team's short history, it hasn't experienced much success outside of a few years at the turn of the century. — Zwelling, Johnson unfortunately was with the Raptors in some of the leanest years of the franchise, only getting a taste of the success to come in his final two seasons with Toronto. Behind the best player in team history, Vince Carter, the Raptors made the playoffs a handful of times, with its only division title coming in 2007. — Grange, Criminally overlooked as merely a throw-in piece of the Kawhi Leonard trade, Green’s lone year in Toronto coincided with the most successful season in franchise history. — Grange. He made a new legion of fans last season with his utterly unique YouTube cooking show — in which he blends gross-out comedy with revealing celebrity interviews. Still, he was a player who made the Raptors a team to cheer for even when they weren’t much fun to watch. Taken with the seventh-overall pick in the 1995 draft, Stoudamire would go on to win Rookie of the Year in the franchise’s inaugural season. The Greatest Power Forwards in NBA History. “The Raptors don’t get out of the second round and on the road to history without him.”, “He was a skinny 19-year-old expected to heal a franchise’s post-Vince Carter heartbreak. The Canadian government has denied a request by the NBA and the Raptors to play in Toronto amid the pandemic, so the team will begin the 2020-21 season in Tampa, Florida. In two seasons as a Raptor, he only made 12 … We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. An instrumental part of the Vince Carter-Antonio Davis playoff years, Christie was counted on to both guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player and knock down the open shot (not necessarily a triple) when given the opportunity. He was a rock throughout Toronto’s championship campaign, shooting 45.5 per cent from distance in the regular season while leading the Raptors with 80 games played, all of them starts. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. Immortalized for the general public in Drake’s “6 Man,” Williams averaged Toronto’s third-most field goal attempts that season despite playing the seventh-most minutes. As a Raptor, Christie was always among the league leaders in steals and even recorded seven blocks in a game once. Through 18 years of existence, the franchise had a .406 win percentage and a grand total of: four playoff appearances, one playoff series victory, and one Atlantic Division title. — Bennett, Though his defence frustrated many a Raptors observer, Calderon is an all-time Raptor not only because he had a 50-40-90 season (despite the fact Wikipedia claims he didn’t) but because he was a constant during a tumultuous period of Raptors history. They had five rookies on their roster, including the 18-year-old Tracy McGrady, who at the time was the youngest player in the NBA. https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-25-greatest-players Visit ESPN to view the Toronto Raptors team roster for the current season — Steven Loung, A career role player who averaged 7.9 points and 7.0 rebounds in 180 games with Toronto, fans loved Williams’s manic energy. (approx 1 - 2 per week). The Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History. The Raptors are one win away from the championship, and lead the series 3-1 over the Golden State Warriors. The Raptors hoped the big Spanish centre could facilitate, defend, and be Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid’s kryptonite when they acquired him. We use cookies to improve your experience. Plenty might have looked smoother doing their thing. Some of the best players in Raptors history haven't stuck around to lead Toronto to a championship. There’s no denying that the way things ended between him and the Raptors was, to put it lightly, unideal, but his contributions to the Raptors and basketball in Canada in general can’t be denied. Privacy Policy https://www.tsn.ca/the-25-greatest-raptors-in-franchise-history In the News: C. Paul,R. Westbrook,J. Without McGrady’s perfect bounce pass in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, Carter’s famous between-the-legs jam wouldn’t have happened. Yet it doesn’t seem to bother the smooth, deceptive Williams, who won the first of his three Sixth Man of the Year awards during his lone season with the Raptors in 2014–15. 3. — Loung, Leonard’s stint in Canada may have been brief, but his legacy will always be the Most Valuable Player on the first championship team the franchise has ever seen. Sadly for Raptors' fans, Hansbrough's play at North Carolina never translated to the NBA. One of the best current NBA players, Bosh bolted Toronto in 2010 for Miami to team up with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Morris Russell Peterson Jr. (born August 26, 1977) is an American retired professional... Antonio Lee Davis (born October 31, 1968) is an American retired National Basketball... Louis Williams may refer to: For all his flaws as a player, DeRozan will always be loved because no other player of significance embraced the franchise the way he did. Len was born on June 16, 1993 (27 years old) in Antratsit, Ukraine. And as much as fans grew to love him, he reciprocated that love. © 2000-2020 Rogers Media. The best example of this is star power forward Chris Bosh. He’s the franchise leader in games, minutes, points and a host of other leaderboards. #19 of 102 The Most Likable Players In The NBA Today#1 of 53 The Best Current Wing Players in the NBA, Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States of America, #78 of 329 The Most Obnoxious Athletes#4 of 27 The Greatest Georgia Tech Basketball Players of All Time, Birthplace: Daytona Beach, Florida, United States of America, Teams: Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, #45 of 54 The Most Hated Active NBA Players#30 of 107 The Best Foreign NBA Players of All Time, Teams: Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, #150 of 786 The Top NBA Players Of All Time#67 of 175 The Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History, Teams: Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, Teams: Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, #116 of 294 The Top 100+ NBA Players Today#20 of 27 All The Craziest NBA Dunk Contest Championship Performances, Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States of America, Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States of America, Teams: Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, #3 of 46 The Greatest Michigan Basketball Players of All Time#10 of 86 The Best Second-Generation NBA Players Of All Time, Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, Teams: Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, #1688 of 1,816 The Best Athletes Of All Time#30 of 150 The Greatest Point Guards in NBA History, #16 of 50 The Greatest African NBA Players of All Time#31 of 72 The Best Current NBA International Players, Birthplace: Villanueva de la Serena, Spain, #98 of 213 The Best White Players in NBA History#47 of 146 The Best European NBA Players of All Time, #31 of 96 The Most Overrated Players In The NBA Today#19 of 51 The Greatest UNC Tar Heels Basketball Players of All Time, Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, Teams: Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, #11 of 73 The Greatest Chicago Bulls of All Time#44 of 168 The Greatest Power Forwards in NBA History, Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, #52 of 198 The Best NBA Players from Pennsylvania#16 of 82 The Greatest Villanova Basketball Players of All Time, Teams: Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, #91 of 107 The Greatest Lakers of All Time#103 of 126 The Best NBA Buys for the Money. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. In addition to Carter, Damon Stoudamire and former first overall pick Andrea Bargnani won the award. He wasn’t here nearly as long and wasn’t nearly as charismatic, but in a couple of generations the “Kawhi effect” will likely be even stronger than the “Carter effect.” — Bennett. Terms of Service. The Most Likable Players In The NBA Today. Antetokounmpo... All … He is Mr. Raptor. Best performers in regular season and playoffs, and most winning team coaches. — Bennett, VanVleet’s “Bet on Yourself” backstory is an inspirational one of what hard work and perseverance can lead you to in life. Then those fans got to watch him selflessly grow into a crucial role player during the 2019 championship run, accepting fewer minutes and a position change for the betterment of the team. He led the Raptors to three consecutive playoff appearances and the brink of a fourth, but Bosh could never get Toronto out of the first round. Why bringing a title to New York means everything to Tina Charles. Toronto Raptors rookie Terence Davis was arrested in New York on charges of assault and criminal mischief following an argument with his girlfriend. This is the behind-the-scenes story of an improbable championship. The 23-year-old Watanabe, meanwhile, is an undrafted forward who spent the last two seasons on the fringes of the Memphis Grizzlies ’ rotation. If the Raptors don’t have any other options for the MLE, they might as well try to offer that to the 30-year-old. Drafted ninth overall in 2009, DeRozan grew up right before Raptors fans’ eyes, earning four all-star nods and being named to two all-NBA teams. In the post-season, Gasol helped hold Embiid to a measly 17.6 points and 37 per cent shooting in their seven-game series. His greatest contribution may have been schooling the young, talented Raptors on what it meant to be a professional. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. The same goes for Tracy McGrady, who was a rising star but left Canada to play for the Orlando Magic in 2000 just before he became a household name. She is excited about the new changes coming to the hospital, and cannot wait to see what the future holds for the clinic, the team… It was a celebration few thought they’d ever see. Roster Table; No. Raptors----4 players found. Williams is remembered fondly for his steady play at point guard, but no moment stands out more than this one. The Greatest Georgia Tech Basketball Players of All Time. 23-year-old Raptors player hit a last-second, miracle 3-pointer to save his team's season sdavis@businessinsider.com (Scott Davis) 9/4/2020 Amy Barrett's … — Arden Zwelling, Even though the former member of the Fab Five didn’t leave as large an imprint in Toronto as he did at Michigan, his time as a Raptor was solid, averaging 16.7 points per game during a time when the team was in turmoil. — Loung, Arriving in Toronto in 1998 when the Raptors traded Marcus Camby to the New York Knicks, “Oak” brought a level of grit, work ethic, toughness and veteran savvy to the young franchise. Other Raptors may have wowed us more; some were more gifted scorers. Beginnings. It’s OK to be upset with the man once known as “Air Canada,” but he was the catalyst for everything that followed, and as such, is deserving of being considered one of the best in franchise history. Ford came to the Raptors looking for a fresh start after a spinal cord injury robbed him of an entire season with the Milwaukee Bucks and the emergence of Mo Williams made him expendable. Though his Raptors tenure was shorter than most would’ve liked (he was traded in Feb., 1998), Stoudamire is still a key figure in Raptors history as he helped give the franchise some desperately needed star power in its earliest days. Player Team(s) League(s) Season(s) GP PTS REB AST W's L's Win% Casey Cantey: Alabama A&M: NCAA: 2: 2010-11 to 2011-12: 4: 14.8: 3.3: 2.0: 2: 2: 50.0%: Compare: Savalace Townsend And off the court he embraced an unfamiliar city — and country — with open arms, engaging with fans during live tapings of his popular podcast and hosting basketball clinics everywhere from Winnipeg to Halifax. We’ve become a smarter basketball nation as a result. Hayward,G. — Grange, The most efficient low-post scorer the club has ever had, Valanciunas was drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2011 and was a polarizing figure from the start. With 42.9 seconds left in Game 5 of the 2001 first-round playoff series between the Raptors and New York Knicks, Williams hit a long two with the shot clock winding down to put the Raptors up six and, essentially, send the team to the second round for the first time in franchise history. Kent Bazemore, Jae Crowder, Paul Millsap, Tristan Thompson, and Markieff Morris all could have helped Toronto, to name a few. One of thebetter college basketball players of all time, Tyler Hansbrough called Toronto his home for the past two seasons. His 18-foot jumpers and behind-the-back passes were the finesse plays that complemented his bone-crushing screens and hard fouls. He almost pulled it off, too. In honour of the first of those dates Tuesday, we’re taking a look back ourselves — by breaking down the 25 greatest players in team history. With Carter as the team's best player,, the Raptors advanced out the first round only once in 2001. He’s won more playoff games than any Raptors player and he’s the franchise leader in championship rings consulted on. The 25-year-old Cameroonian was the NBA’s Most Improved Player last season, going from a raw, athletic, late-first-round project to a legitimate star and offensive focal point on a championship team. DeRozan will forever be a Raptor in Toronto fans’ hearts. The Greatest Villanova Basketball Players of All Time. While the Raptors have added two new players to the team in Malachi Flynn and Jalen Harris, their work through the NBA Draft isn’t quite over yet. The Greatest Michigan Basketball Players of All Time, The Best Second-Generation NBA Players Of All Time. Blessed with the motor of all motors, Siakam’s creating and finishing skills are as unorthodox as they are effective, and his relentless, hounding defence can be a nightmare for guards and forwards alike. Then we amalgamated them for the final rank. Harden,J. The Best European NBA Players of All Time. After seven years with the club, his greatest Raptors moment may have been his gesture to come back and cheer on his old team after they had traded him. He played for the Ukraine National Team at the 2009 U16 FIBA Europe Championships and 2010 U18 FIBA Europe Championships, where he began to make his name known. But the last six years have been awful kind. Frank Gunn/CP (Ford; Green/Gasol; Lowry/Leonard); Aaron Harris/CP (Oakley); Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images (McGrady); Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images (Bosh/Carter), Photo Essay: Toronto Raptors celebrate title with banner, big rings. The Raptors don’t get out of the second round and on the road to history without him. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. He had a massive jump in production from the 2017-18 season to the 2018-19 season. Lists that rank the team's greatest players and coaches, now and throughout history. We didn't recognize that password reset code. However, Ford still couldn’t shake the injury bug, and the strong play of backup Jose Calderon ultimately made him expendable again as he was traded to Indiana as part of the Jermaine O’Neal deal two seasons after arriving in Toronto. — Michael Grange, Being the best sixth man of a generation is a dubious title — you’re good enough to log heavy, productive minutes off the bench, but still not relied upon as a starter. Best players and coaches in the history of Toronto Raptors in the NBA. He’s on this list because he’s always been a good player who can shoot the hell out of the ball — as evidenced by his Finals performance — but in signing with the Raptors he found the perfect marriage partner to let his talent shine. He quickly made his mark. And whether or not he can fulfill that potential may be the most critical factor in how long the Raptors go between their first NBA Finals appearance and their next. Joining the club at the very end of the Rob Babcock era and leaving just before the fortunes of the franchise were about to turn, Calderon was an endearing fan favourite when one was needed most. Your existing password has not been changed. As the Toronto Raptors celebrate their 25th anniversary, we’re counting down the 25 best players in team history. If he continues to develop at the rate he has — remember, Siakam began playing competitively less than a decade ago — we could be watching the emergence of an elite NBA talent. Sorry we could not verify that email address. Player Pos Ht Wt Birth Date Exp College; 3: OG Anunoby: SF: 6-7: 232: July 17, 1997: gb: 1: Indiana: 25: Chris Boucher: PF: 6-9: 200: January 11, 1993: lc: 1: Oregon: 4: Lorenzo Brown: PG: 6-5: 189: August 26, 1990: us: 4: NC State: 33: Marc Gasol: C: 6-11: 255: January 29, 1985: es: 10: 14: Danny Green: SG: 6-6: 215: June 22, 1987: us: 9: UNC: 9: Serge Ibaka: C: 7-0: 235: September 18, 1989: cg: 9: … His impact as a team ambassador may eclipse his impact on the court. The Toronto Raptors have had a player win the Most Improved Player award before in Pascal Siakam. Maligned for his defence and seen at times as out of step with the modern game, he learned to adapt — shuttling between starting and bench roles with grace and enthusiasm, and adding a three-point shot to his arsenal. How the Raptors finally beat their demons and a dynasty to win it all. — Zwelling, The Raptors’ first all-star not named Vince Carter, Davis was a stabilizing force on the team’s first three playoff teams. Some of the best players in Raptors history haven't stuck around to lead Toronto to a championship. He left the franchise in 2007 as its leader in games played, a mark he held until DeMar DeRozan surpassed it in 2016. He almost pulled it off, too.”, {* backButton *} But Lowry’s legacy is more significant and more subtle than the bling or the records or even all the winning. He delivered. Johnson has … Now, she won't rest until she brings home a title to the city that never sleeps. — Loung, Before there was Vince Carter, there was “Mighty Mouse” Damon Stoudamire, the Original Raptor. Taken fourth overall in the legendary 2003 draft, Bosh came to a team that had nowhere to go but up, although with no clear path to get there. His role as an enforcer allowed Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to play freely and was greatly appreciated by fans. The bouncing buzzer beater versus Philly, the dunk on Giannis, the domination of the Warriors — Leonard’s resumé was fortified in a dominant playoff run. He started in 207 of his 208 games as a Raptor, averaging 7.9 points per game and 8.0 rebounds. New York Liberty star Tina Charles has won at every level except the WNBA. None got more done on the floor than Kyle Lowry. Unlike some other former players turned media members, he’s spoken fondly about his time in the country and playing for the organization. Lexi is the proud owner of a 3-year-old Samoyed named Colten, and an 11-year-old domestic long-haired cat named Tristan. And on the court, Johnson was an underrated player who could both catch a pass in traffic and finish when rolling hard. He drove through the night from Detroit when Toronto acquired him during the 2000–01 season, and made being a Raptor seem refreshingly fun. — Loung, Before Kawhi Leonard hit “The Shot,” Williams was the owner of the biggest make in franchise history. He was an all-star in his third season (the first of 11 straight nods), kicking off a five-year stretch during which he averaged 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds a game on 50 per cent shooting — the only player in the NBA to reach those marks over that time frame. For this definitive list, we sought the help of 11 Sportsnet insiders — Donnovan Bennett, Ashley Docking, Brad Fay, Michael Grange, Paul Jones, Faizal Khamisa, Steven Loung, Arash Madani, Danielle Michaud, Eric Smith and Dave Zarum — and asked each to create a personal ranking based on two criteria: individual play as a member of the Raptors and impact on the franchise. Player POS Seasons With Team Year of Induction; Tracy McGrady: G-F: 1997-2000: 2017: Hakeem Olajuwon: C: 2002: 2008 So who is Alex Len? All rights reserved. — Loung, He was a skinny 19-year-old expected to do the impossible: Heal a franchise’s post-Vince Carter heartbreak. — Loung, It’s a testament to his skill and consistency that Peterson’s Toronto tenure began with the team’s first conference semi-final appearance in 2000-01, carried through the lean early aughts, and lasted all the way to the return to playoff contention in the heart of the Chris Bosh era. Have been schooling the young, talented Raptors on what it meant to be a professional of of! A quarter-century of Raptors players now and throughout history or bad — when he entered the game “ Mouse. International players we emphasize teaching players proper fundamentals along with good sportsmanship and teamwork season, we! Hard-Nosed defensive identity in support of Carter ’ s post-Vince Carter heartbreak and a of. 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