2. Highest win percentage in Toronto Raptors history (1809 minutes,70 regular-season games)
Yes, that’s right. Out of all Raptors players with at least 50 games, Marc Gasol is the player with the highest win rate in franchise history. In the 70 games Gasol has been a part of, he has won 53 and lost 17, leading to a win percentage of 75.71 percent.
This regular season alone, when Gasol was in the starting lineup, the Raptors were 35-9. The regular starting lineup of Lowry-VanVleet-Anunoby-Siakam-Gasol posted a +13.1 in points difference per 100 possesions. Switch Ibaka in place of Gasol, and that number changes to a -2.5 in points difference per 100 possesions.
My intention isn’t to bash Ibaka, he’s been great this year. I just wanted to show you just how crucial Gasol is to the starting lineup and everything he does contributes to winning basketball more than anything else. He opened everyone’s game around him with his shooting and playmaking, and his selflessness complemented the Raptors’ core to perfection.