As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the
game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that
players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have
decided to defy those odds.
The Toronto Raptors entered the NBA in 1995 as part of the NBA’s
movement to bring the league to Canada along with the Vancouver
Grizzlies. The Raptors remain Canada’s lone team with the Grizzlies
moving to Memphis after the 2000-2001 season.
Like most expansion teams, the Raptors had their initial struggles before
reaching the postseason. The franchise acquiring Vince Carter in a draft
day trade in 1998 gave the Raptors pizzazz. Later additions of Chris Bosh,
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to name a couple allowed the franchise
to be a perennial postseason participant and championship contender.
After the 2017-2018 season ended in disappointment with the No. 1 seeded
Raptors falling to the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, the franchise made bold
bold decisions. Head coach Dwayne Casey, who guided the Raptors to 58
win and NBA Coach of the Year honors, was dismissed and replaced by
Nick Nurse. The next bold move was trading DeRozan as part of a move
to acquire Kawhi Leonard.
DeRozan, who remains a franchise icon, was traded to the San Antonio
Spurs. Leonard led the franchise to an NBA title in 2014 but had a falling
out with the organization. Leonard, who is now a Los Angeles Clipper,
lasted just one season in Toronto but it was a memorable one with the
Raptors winning the lone NBA title in franchise history, 4-2 over the
Golden State Warriors.
Today, I put together a Raptors Dream Team. There are some rigid criteria in
making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the
Raptors for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Sorry, Leonard
does not make the cut despite leading the franchise to its lone NBA title.
Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in
place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing
from all eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-
NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going
to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Raptors during a season of being a championship contender
does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Raptors
during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team. Winning
or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless
basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The
starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the
rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just
tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before
you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take
off the list at that position?”
Starters
Point guard: Kyle Lowry
Lowry has become a franchise cornerstone and after years of subpar
performances in the playoffs, Lowry came up big in helping the Raptors
win their lone NBA Championship in 2019. Lowry has established
several records in his Seven Seasons with the Raptors.
All six of Lowry's All Star appearances have come in a Raptors uniform.
He previously played for the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.
Lowry was All NBA third team in 2016. During his career with the
Raptors, Lowry has averaged 17.6 points and 7.1 assists per game to
go along with 4.9 rebounds.
Shooting guard: Vince Carter
Carter has three nicknames: “Air Canada,” “Vinsanity” and “Half Man/
Half Amazing.” Carter is the only player in NBA history to play 22
seasons and in four different decades. Carter is widely viewed as the
best dunker in NBA history. Though Carter played for eight different
teams, his most identifiable were his first seven seasons in the NBA
with the Raptors.
Four of his eight All-Star appearances came in a Raptors uniform. Carter
was also NBA Rookie of the Year in 1999 and NBA All Rookie first
team that season as well. During his time with the Raptors, Carter
averaged 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
Small forward: Morris Peterson
Peterson was more of a substance over style type of a player but has his
name in numerous categories in the Raptors record book. Peterson lands
a spot on this line up because of reliability and longevity as he has
played the second most games in franchise history.
Peterson played seven seasons with the Raptors and was NBA All Rookie
first team in 2001. During his time with the Raptors, Peterson averaged
12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Power forward: Pascal Siakum
Siakam recently completed his fourth full season with the Raptors and is
just scratching the surface with his potential. Only two of his four
seasons have been played at a high level but Siakam has begun to
blossom and was a huge reason why the Raptors won the NBA
championship in 2019.
Siakum’s lone All Star season was 2020. Siakam was also All NBA
second team that season and was voted the NBA Most Improved
Player in 2019. Siakam's career average of 12.8 points and 5.8
rebounds are actually deflated because he did not average double-figure
scoring his first two seasons. The 2019-2020 season was his best as he
averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Center: Chris Bosh
Bosh is remembered by some for being the third wheel on the Miami
Heat championship teams in the early to mid 2010s but make no
mistake he is one of the best and most beloved Raptors in franchise
history. Bosh’s style of play defined the term stretch for before the
term was en vogue.
Bosh helped the Raptors win their first division championship in
franchise history and is in the record book in numerous categories.
Four of Bosh’s All-Star seasons came as a member of the Raptors and
he was also the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2004. During his time
with the Raptors, Bosh averaged 20.2 points and 9.4 rebounds over
a seven-year span.
Bench (alphabetical order)
Andrea Bargnani:
The Italian-born Bargnani played a total of seven years with the
Raptors. He was NBA All Rookie first team in 2006. Though he
never earned any All Star recognition, Bargnani had a very solid
seven-year career with the Raptors during which time he averaged
15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Jose Calderon:
The Spanish board Calderon played 15 seasons for seven different
teams but his first eight were with the Raptors. He was nothing
spectacular but highly efficient and an excellent free throw shooter.
During his time with the Raptors, Calderon averaged 10.0 points
7.2 assists per contest.
Doug Christie:
Christie is known best for his seasons with the Sacramento Kings in
the early to mid-2000s. Christie, however, enjoyed four solidly
productive seasons with the Raptors. Christie averaged 14.2 points,
4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals. Christy was a solid
offensive player and a defensive standout.
Antonio Davis:
Davis played just four seasons with the Raptors but they were the
best years of his career as he played for five different teams. Davis'
lone All-Star season came in a Raptors uniform. During his time
in Toronto, Davis averaged 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
DeMar DeRozan:
Though some people know DeRozan as the piece that brought
Leonard to Toronto that delivered a championship, DeRozan
remains an iconic figure in franchise history. DeRozan, who is now
a San Antonio Spur, was a four-time All-Star and two-time all-NBA
selection with the Raptors. During his time in Toronto, DeRozan
averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He will likely
have his jersey number retired someday.
Serge Ibaka:
Ibaka did not get any postseason recognition during his four seasons
with the Raptors but was a huge reason for delivering the franchise’s
first and only championship in 2019. Ibaka, who is now a Los
Angeles Clipper, averaged 14.2 points 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 block
shots per game during his time with the Raptors.
Amir Johnson:
Johnson was not a flashy player by any means but a very solid
defensive presence through six years with the Raptors. Johnson never
earned any postseason honors but during his time with Toronto he
averaged 8.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks shots per game.
Jonas Valanciunas:
Valanciunas, who is now a Memphis Grizzly, played seven seasons
with the Raptors. He was NBA All Rookie second team in 2013.
During his time with the franchise, Valanciunas averaged 11.8 points
and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Fred VanVleet:
Van Vleet by definition took the long way to the NBA as an undrafted
free agent from Wichita State. CanVleet’s first two seasons in the NBA
yielded minimal contributions. The previous two he has been an
incredible asset. VanVleet helped the Raptors win their only NBA
championship and some believe he should have been the Finals MVP.
Alvin Williams:
Williams played eight seasons with the Raptors and no his stats were
anything spectacular, he was a solid contributor. During his time with
the Raptors, Williams averaged 9.3 points, and 4.3 assists per game.
Team: 2018-2019
The offseason began with the dismissal of Casey in favor of current
head coach Nick Nurse along with trading DeRozan to the Spurs as
part of a cog to acquire Leonard. Though Leonard had no interest in
playing for Toronto and he stayed for only one season, Leonard
delivered the franchise's only NBA championship. In the process,
players like Lowry and Marc Gasol we're able to get their championship
rings that had eluded them in past years. Leonard was the NBA Finals
MVP who shined in the regular season and took his game to another
level in the postseason.
Head coach: Dwayne Casey
Casey is probably just keeping the seat warm for Nurse. Casey, however,
had a highly successful seven-year stint with the Raptors. Casey led the
Raptors to 320 career regular-season wins and 21 more in the postseason,
which is the best in franchise history. Casey was the NBA coach of the
year in 2018. Casey's on doing however, was LeBron James and the
Cleveland Cavaliers being in the Eastern Conference.
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