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Toronto Raptors: Creating the team’s all-time roster

By Mike Bossetti

Tracy McGrady (L) consoles Vince Carter after Carter fouled out against the Charlotte Hornets April 27, 1999. Kevin Willis (r) looks on dejectedly. (BERNARD WEIL/TORONTO STAR) (Photo by Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Tracy McGrady (L) consoles Vince Carter after Carter fouled out against the Charlotte Hornets April 27, 1999. Kevin Willis (r) looks on dejectedly. (BERNARD WEIL/TORONTO STAR) (Photo by Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Tracy McGrady (Photo by Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Tracy McGrady (1999-2000): Backup Small Forward/Stretch Power Forward

It would have been nice to have the best version of Tracy McGrady on this list, but when you’re talking about a seven time All-NBA Hall-of-Famer, even his early years will suffice. During his prime McGrady easily locks in as the team’s starter (and best player) but this version will serve as Carter’s backup at small forward.

Straight out of highschool, it really took until McGrady’s last season with the Raptors for him to show the player he could be. Seven points per game as an 18 year-old is nothing to sneeze at, but doesn’t necessarily hint at 32 per game talent.

By his third and final season, T-Mac was developing into the player he would eventually become. During the 1999-2000 season McGrady averaged 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

6’8″ with all-world athleticism McGrady also had the capabilities to be an all-world defender. Known for his sleepy demeanor many labeled McGrady a poor defender, however, the stats tell a different story. During his final season in Toronto, as well as throughout most of his career, McGrady recorded, a positive “Defensive Box Plus/Minus”.

With a more complete roster around him, McGrady will be asked to be more of a defender than really at any point of his NBA career. With no shooting capabilities (at least from deep) at this time, T-Mac will be used as an athletic slasher off the bench and even as a small-ball power forward at times for our team.