Toronto Raptors: 30 greatest players of all-time

9. Antonio Davis

Much like Charles Oakley, Antonio Davis epitomized the nineties in one undersized, but hard as nails body.

He joined the Raptors in 1999, in exchange for Jonathan Bender, who went to the Indiana Pacers. He came to Toronto to bolster up a frontcourt that already boasted Charles Oakley, also known as the toughest man ever. Oakley’s superb defense, even at the ripe old age of 35, allowed Davis to prosper more on the offensive side of things.

Boy, did he ever.

Davis’ production rose prominently in the seasons that followed, Davis helped the Raptors to 45 wins in the 99-00 season. He averaged 11.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and just over one block in his first season, his points averages went up in the playoffs too, as the Knicks bounced the Raptors out in a 3-game sweep.

Davis only got better as time went on for Toronto, even earning himself a surprising, but definitely deserved, All-Star selection averaging his first, and only, double-double of his career at 13 points and 10 rebounds a game.

As the seasons went by, it felt like Davis would never begin to decline, even in his age 33 season, where he was averaging 17 points a game in the playoffs. Even when he was needed to be the second scoring option, Davis could always be relied on to get the job done. Everything he did was a thankless task, but the Raptors fans gave him the recognition he deserved.

Davis was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Jalen Rose in 2004, the first of two times he would be traded for Rose. The second time only lasted for eight games, but the Raptors dumped some salary and got to see Davis in a Raptors uniform one more time.