Fan favourite week brings us to former Toronto Raptors forward Terrence Ross, who didn’t take long to become a favourite among fans.
A legend amongst Toronto Raptors’ fans, Ross built his legacy on high flying, rim shaking dunks that got crowds on their feet. Drafted with the 8th overall pick in 2012 the Raptors had a bright future planned for Terrence Ross.
Ross joined the Raptors as an unknown prospect and eventually blossomed into our very own slam dunk champion. The drafting of Ross was actually one of the first steps towards climbing back out of the basement for the Raptors.
The 2010-12 seasons had been rough. With Chris Bosh leaving for greener pastures and, super friends and just about nothing asides DeMar DeRozan to look at fans were left empty. But the drafting of Jonas Valanciunas and Ross in 2011 and 2012 showed a light at the end of the tunnel.
But Ross wasn’t just another player coming through town though. His shortly lived for four years with the Raptors were some that many won’t be forgetting for a long time.
As we all know, the team eventually made it there. Even though both JV and Ross had been shipped out in honor of the cause they both played key roles in the eventual result. JV being a part of the Marc Gasol trade and Ross a part of the Serge Ibaka trade (both key pieces for the team). With the team or not they were a massive reason as to why the Raptors finally found their success.
As per every true fan favourite their support normally tends to outway their abilities, such was the case for Ross. It’s not to say that he didn’t play solid it’s just that the love from supporters far outweighed his production. During his time in Toronto, he averaged more than 10 points per game just once, coming during the 2012-13 season. Although, he did come close the next couple years as he averaged 9.9 and 9.8 points per game in the following seasons.
Night in and night out Ross brought that fire. He played with a furious style of energy, resulting in many people getting dunked on. Displaying ferocious feats of athleticism he would soar through the air, over the top of your largest defender, hold for applause, then jam it down. He knew how to get Toronto on their feet and his opponent off theirs.
Unfortunately for Ross and the Raptors the young-athletic scorer was never able to match his hyped potential, but he was able to bring the team and their fans a ton of great moments.
Most notably his Slam dunk championship which came about during his first year in the league. Ross put on a performance fans soon wouldn’t forget as he brought the franchise their first championship of any sorts. Although it was just a dunk contest this would be a signature moment for both he and the Raptors. Fans utilized the winning of the dunk contest to chant his name from every rooftop available in Toronto.
Ross followed that stunning performance the next year with an even more incredible 51 point franchise record-tying night. He managed to reach heights untouched by anyone else in the organization except for ‘Mr. Air Canada’ himself Vince Carter. That performance plus the dunk contest helped skyrocket Ross into the lives and lore of many fans, living on to this day even if he plays for another organization.
After being traded to the Orlando Magic Ross left with a final act, endeared himself even further in our hearts after he penned a good-bye letter to both the fans and the city of Toronto. It brought heartfelt emotions to many, even Ross himself as he could not believe the outpouring support from fans.
Personally, he’s had such an impact on me and my friends that we’ve even named our fantasy basketball league “Terrence Ross Fan Club” in honor of him.
During his time here Ross may not have been the most prolific player or even have reached the potential that he flashed during his first couple years but, he was so much more than just a player to this franchise. He gave fans a reason to cheer when they had nothing else. In my eyes, he will forever be a key piece to this franchise.