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Fansided

5 strangest single-game Raptors performances

By Brian Boake

Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng is fouled by Toronto Raptors' Rafael Araujo during the first quarter. The Bulls defeated the Raptors 127-106, at the United Center in Chicago, Illlinois, Wednesday, April 19, 2006. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng is fouled by Toronto Raptors' Rafael Araujo during the first quarter. The Bulls defeated the Raptors 127-106, at the United Center in Chicago, Illlinois, Wednesday, April 19, 2006. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images) /
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January 14, 2009 Kirk Hinrich has his pocket picked by Jamario Moon as the Toronto Raptors play the Chicago Bulls at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto Toronto Star/Steve Russell (Photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
January 14, 2009 Kirk Hinrich has his pocket picked by Jamario Moon as the Toronto Raptors play the Chicago Bulls at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto Toronto Star/Steve Russell (Photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Dateline: February 20, 2008

The Raptors smacked a decent Orlando Magic squad by a 127 – 110 score. There were lots of solid performances (Chris Bosh went for 40 points on 14 of 16 shooting, while Jose Calderon added 19 of his own, plus 13 dimes), but let’s give props to a 27-year-old NBA rookie from the back of beyond.

Jamario Moon, the aged, bouncy rookie I’m referring to, enjoyed a double-double of 17 points and a team-leading 12 rebounds. This was his best-balanced performance of a season in which he leapt over any number of better-known rivals to establish himself.

Moon attended a Community College, but was judged academically ineligible for higher education. He put his name in for the 2001 draft, but wasn’t selected. Jamario played for years in the low minors with teams like the Marietta Storm and Gary Steelheads before being discovered by the Raptors at a try-out camp. I don’t think we hold such things anymore, which is too bad.

Moon became a starter due to his defensive prowess; earlier in the season, he made five steals in a win over Atlanta. He was remarkably athletic, and finished third in the Slam Dunk contest at the All-Star Game in 2008.

I always thought things began to unravel for Jamario in Toronto when he decided he wanted to hoist up 3-balls. The playoffs against the Magic were a disaster for the team, and not very good for him. He was moved to Miami in early 2009 as part of a big deal which returned Shawn Marion, and his NBA career ended in 2012.

Moon is still ballin’ at age 38, with the Albany Patroons. His is a remarkable story.