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Fansided

Ranking every first-round pick in Toronto Raptors history

By Raju Byfield

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Chris Bosh. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Chris Bosh – 4th overall (2003)

One of the most controversial Toronto Raptors draft picks of all time went on to become one of the Toronto Raptors best players through their first 24 years of existence. This pick was controversial for two reasons. The main reason was that Vince Carter directly requested that the Raptors trade the pick for a veteran that could help a Raptors team that was looking to make a deeper playoff run. Chris Bosh was rail-thin when he entered the league, and while skilled, he was not ready to be a steady contributor to a playoff team.

The second cause for controversy was that if the Raptors did indeed intend to keep the draft pick, there was an NBA ready combo guard out of Marquette that fit the Toronto Raptors roster beautifully. The Raptors had been searching for an answer at the point since Damon Stoudamire left town, and Wade had the skills to be an excellent scoring point guard or off-ball complement to Vince Carter.

Bosh was viewed by the consensus as the superior prospect and went fourth overall after workout warrior Darko Milicic soared to number two overall. As pointed out here, not drafting Wade started a domino effect that had a direct correlation to Vince Carter finally having enough and requesting a trade.

Chris Bosh himself blossomed into the player it was hoped he would be when he was drafted. There was even a time when some would have argued (wrongly of course) that Chris Bosh was the greatest Raptor of all-time.

During his time as a Toronto Raptor, Bosh averaged a robust 20.2 points and 9.4 rebounds on 49-percent shooting and led the Raptors to their first-ever division title. He had the best season of his career in his contract year when he averaged 24 points and 10.8 rebounds on just under 52-percent shooting.

‘CB4’ is still among the Raptors career leaders in a number of categories. He leads the team in rebounds, rebounds per game, and total blocks. He ranks in the top three in field goals, PER, win shares, value over replacement, points, points per game, minutes per game, and free throws. The best power forward in Raptors history, Chris Bosh was one of the faces on the Toronto Raptors Mt. Rushmore prior to the 2018-19 season.

While the fanbases animosity towards him has somewhat thawed over the years, the vitriol towards him is still the strongest among stars who departed the Toronto Raptors.