We know the Toronto Raptors aren’t really the oldest of teams and they don’t have the greatest of histories, but that has not stopped very talented players from gracing the Air Canada Centre for the home team.
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I have taken the time to look at many of the players that have made us proud over the years, group them into retired and active teams, and find the best starting five for each team.
With an average career length of 11.4 seasons for players with at least one All-Star selection, the Raptors are at an interesting point in their timeline. After 20 seasons, the team now has almost two ‘generations’ of All-Star talent in their history.
To make it interesting, I included anyone that had at least one minute of playing time for the Raptors, but used their prime to judge them against all other players available.
Retired:
PG – Damon Stoudamire (Prime: 1996-1997 for the Toronto Raptors)
SG – Tracy McGrady (Prime: 2002-2003 for the Orlando Magic)
SF – Peja Stojakovic (Prime: 2003-2004 for the Sacramento Kings)
PF – Jermaine O’Neal (Prime: 2002-2003 for the Indiana Pacers)
C – Hakeem Olajuwan (Prime: 1992-1992 for the Houston Rockets)
That was almost impossible. Shooting guard and small forward were the positions I had the most trouble with because there was just so much great talent on the board. Morris Peterson and Jalen Rose had to be replaced by McGrady and Stojakovic at their respective positions because of their play later on in their careers.
This roster has everything: 3-point shooting from Stojakovic, defence from O’Neal and Olajuwan, young energy and scoring from Stoudamire and prime flashiness from Tracy McGrady.
Active:
PG – Kyle Lowry (Prime: 2013-2014 for the Toronto Raptors)
SG – DeMar DeRozan (Prime: 2013-2014 for the Toronto Raptors)
SF – Vince Carter (Prime: 2000-2001 for the Toronto Raptors)
PF – Chris Bosh (Prime: 2009-2010 for the Toronto Raptors)
C – Andrea Bargnani (Prime: 2010-2011 for the Toronto Raptors)
Don’t freak out. Yes, I know that last name is a surprise, but let me address the others first. These are the ‘new-generation’ talents and it’s fascinating that we’ve been able to have all these players achieve their prime while playing for the Raptors, a complete opposite when compared to the retired team.
Wiz of Awes
Picking the team’s center was obviously tough. When you look at the statistics, and the statistics don’t lie, it becomes more clear. Bargnani averaged 21.4 points during the 2010-2011 season, and his rebounding woes can be balanced out by Bosh.
This team is just as polished as the retired players.
Who Wins?
In my opinion, I have the retired players in their prime taking this from the active players. Carter and Bosh overpower Stojakovic and O’Neal, but McGrady and Olajuwan surpass DeRozan and Bargnani by such a large margin that it’s difficult for me to see how the retired players wouldn’t dominate all game just by going into the post.
What do you think? Who wins in a regular match between the two teams? Tell me in the comments.
Next: Is Patrick Patterson good enough to start?
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