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 below and then cast your votes in the FINAL FOUR below:
CHRIS BOSH (1) vs. VINCE CARTER (1)
Bosh: Round three: Bosh (65% of votes) over Jonas Valanciunas.
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.
Carter: Round three: Carter (86%) over Morris Peterson.
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.
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KYLE LOWRY (1) vs. DEMAR DEROZAN (1)
Lowry: Round two: Lowry (89%) over Jose Calderon.
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.
DeRozan: Round two: DeRozan (91%) over Tracy McGrady.
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.
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!
