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Toronto Raptors: Top 5 seasons in franchise history

By Jason Mills

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after his team defeated the Golden State Warriors to win Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after his team defeated the Golden State Warriors to win Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – APRIL 29: Head coach Sam Mitchell, T.J. Ford #11, Rasho Nesterovic #12 and members of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors All-Time best season No. 4: 2006-07

The 2006-07 season brought renewed hope to Raptors fans who had suffered without playoff basketball since 2003. While Chris Bosh was drafted in 2003, but the 2006-07 season was his time to shine and lead the franchise.

It helped when Bryan Colangelo was hired in late February as the team’s general manager before the end of the previous season. Once the 2006 offseason began, Colangelo got busy.

He bust Rafael Araujo away to Dallas. He also moved forward Charlie Villanueva to the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard T.J. Ford. He also dealt Eric Williams and Matt Bonner to the San Antonio Spurs for center Radoslav Nesterovic.

At the draft, Colangelo used the Raptors’ first-ever opportunity to select first overall Italian center Andrea Bargnani. During the free agency period, he proceeded to sign international star guard Anthony Parker, who excelled overseas with Tel Aviv Maccabi.

The team was at least two good players deep at every position by the time Colangelo was done, and he had a superstar in Bosh surrounded by good talent. Bosh was also resigned to a four-year deal worth up to $65 million if Bosh opted into year four.

The season ended with the Raptors second-best record ever at 47-35. Colangelo was named Executive of the Year in the NBA, and head coach Sam Mitchell was awarded the Coach of the Year honors.

However, while the Raptors returned to playoff action in 2007, it was short-lived in a first-round appearance loss in 6 games. While the result in the post season was disappointing, it showed that Toronto can become a fixture in the postseason.