Answering the question of “who is the greatest Raptor of all time?” may not be easy, but realistically comes down to only a few names— Carter, DeRozan, Bosh, or Lowry.
“Who is your favourite Raptor?,” on the other hand… Well, that might not be so simple.
So who takes the title? After more than 20 seasons and an eclectic cast of characters donning a Raptors jersey in that span, there are certainly no shortage of options. In the spirit of March Madness, Sportsnet devised the Raptors Bracket Challenge to find out.
After much deliberation, the field was whittled down to a final group of 24 split into four regions based on position, with the seeding determined with consultation from Raptors play-by-play voice and Sportsnet host Eric Smith. And although it’s for you to decide, we urge you to keep in mind production and vote with both your head and your heart.
Monday Mar. 27: Round One (G/F Region 1, Bigs Region)
Tuesday Mar. 28: Round One (G/F Region 2, Guards Region)
Wednesday Mar. 29: ‘Final Four’ for each region (G/F 1 & 2, Bigs, and Guards)
Thursday Mar. 30: The Elite Eight (Regional finals)
Friday Mar. 31: The Final Four
Monday Apr 3: Championships
Check out the updated bracket (above) and then cast your votes in the finals of each region below:
Bigs Region
CHRIS BOSH (1) vs. JONAS VALANCIUNAS (3)
Bosh: Round two: Bosh (77% of votes) over Antonio Davis.
Adored during his accomplished Raptors tenure, Bosh established franchise records across the boards (currently still 1st in rebounds, blocks, and win shares) as the 2003 4th overall pick developed into a perennial all-star while in Toronto. With Bosh as the unquestioned alpha dog, the Raptors won their first division title and returned to the post-season for the first-time since the Vince Carter era.
509 games (2003-10), 20.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 bpg, 49.2 FG% (79.6 FT%). 5X All-Star, 2004 All-Rookie Team, 2007 All-NBA Team.
Valanciunas: Round two: Valanciunas (56%) over Amir Johnson.
Though he’s still searching for consistency (in terms of both production and minutes), it’s been fun to watch Valanciunas’ development over the years. His performance in the first round of the 2016 playoffs (and the second round vs. Miami until he was hurt) especially stand out in terms of what JV can provide to the Raps.
354 games (2012—), 11.4 ppg, 8.5 reg, 1.1 bpg, 55.3 FG% (78.2 FT%). 2013 All-Rookie Team
G/F Region 1
VINCE CARTER (1) vs. MORRIS PETERSON (2)
Carter: Round two: Carter (90%) over Terrence Ross.
The first true face of the franchise, Carter was the NBA’s most electrifying athlete during his Toronto tenure, leading the Raptors to their first playoff birth and helping to popularize and legitimize not only the young franchise but the sport of basketball in Canada.
403 games (1998-05), 23.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg, 1 bpg, 43.8 FG% (37.3 3P%). ’99 Rookie of the Year, 5X All-Star, 2X All-NBA.
Peterson: Round two: Peterson (84%) over Matt Bonner.
Second all-time in both games played and three-pointers made (801) for the Raptors, “MoPete” was a key contributor both as a starter and sixth man during his Toronto tenure, and chalked up plenty of iconic moments to boot.
542 games (2000-’07), 12 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1 spg, 42.1 FG% (37.1 3P%), 2001 All-Rookie team
Guards Region
KYLE LOWRY (1) vs. JOSE CALDERON (2)
Lowry: Round two: Lowry (90%) over Damon Stoudamire.
The Raptors’ all-time three-point leader has been arguably the most important figure in the franchise’s turnaround. Lowry came to Toronto with a bad reputation but has blossomed into a perennial all-star and one of the top point guards in the NBA.
350 games (2012-), 18.2 ppg, 6.8 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 spg, 42.6 FG% (37.9 3P%). 3X All-Star, 2016 All-NBA Team.
Calderon: Round two: Calderon (59%) over Alving Williams.
The definition of a professional, Calderon endured in Toronto through the good times and the bad, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s more reliable offensive point guards during his Raptors tenure.
525 games (2005-13), 10.0 ppg, 7.2 apg, 0.9 spg, 48.1 FG% (38.8 3P%)
G/F Region 2
DEMAR DEROZAN (1) vs. TRACY MCGRADY (6)
DeRozan: Round two: DeRozan (97%) over Patrick Patterson.
What can you say? Since being drafted in 2009, DeRozan has improved every year to reach his status today as one of the NBA’s deadliest scorers and a perennial all-star. In the process he’s proudly advocated for Toronto as a basketball city and his loyalty, longevity (franchise leader in games played) and production (all-time franchise scoring leader) are literally unmatched.
588 games (2009-), 19.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.0 spg, 44.6 FG% (28.8 3P%).21.5 ppg in 31 playoff games. 3X All-Star.
McGrady: Round two: McGrady (56%) over Charles Oakley.
Though it wasn’t until he left the Raptors that he truly blossomed, McGrady was cut his teeth in the NBA as a teenage Raptors draft pick, wowing fans with flashes of his potential, and putting on a show representing the franchise alongside Vince Carter at the 2000 slam dunk contest.
192 games (1997-2000), 11.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.4 bpg, 44.8 FG% (28.4 3P%).
CHECK BACK TO SPORTSNET.CA THROUGHOUT THE WEEK TO VOTE IN THE OTHER REGIONS AND TO KEEP CASTING YOUR VOTES AS THE TOURNEY PROGRESSES AND YOU CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE RAPTOR OF ALL-TIME!
