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From Zero to Hero: Four Toronto Raptor success stories

By Andrew Gula

Toronto Raptors - Kyle Lowry (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Kyle Lowry (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Anthony Parker— The Michael Jordan of EuroLeague to underrated Raptor

TORONTO – OCTOBER 31: Anthony Parker #18 of the Toronto Raptors takes the ball to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at the Air Canada Centre on October 31, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors won 106-97. 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. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO – OCTOBER 31: Anthony Parker #18 of the Toronto Raptors takes the ball to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at the Air Canada Centre on October 31, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors won 106-97. 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. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /

While his stint with the Raptors was relatively short, Anthony Parker still left his mark.

His journey here was certainly unique. After failing to make an impression on an NBA roster in the late 1990s as a first-round draft pick, Parker spent the next six years excelling in the EuroLeague, winning a championship as well as two MVP awards.

That’s all well and good, but as we all know, NBA competition is a lot stiffer. Could the Michael Jordan of the EuroLeague translate his success to the NBA, at the ripe age of 31?

Turns out he could.

During his tenure with the team, Parker was a double-digit scorer, shooting 42 per cent from three (he owns two of the five-best three-point shooting seasons in Raptors history) as well as providing solid defense. He was almost always available, playing in 235 of a possible 246 games over three seasons in Toronto.

In the end, Parker more than proved he belonged in the NBA, playing a big role in the team’s first-ever Atlantic Division title in 2007.

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