Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: Top 5 shooting guards in franchise history

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors jokes with Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on February 21, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors jokes with Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on February 21, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Toronto Raptors
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 21: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

No. 2: DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan was one of the most lethal scorers in team history

With the ninth overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Raptors selected one of the most beloved players in team history.

After Chris Bosh left for the Miami Heat following the 2009-10 season, DeRozan took the franchise over. The high-flyer could rock the rim just as well as any other player in the NBA, but was also the master of the 20-footer. Although fans and front offices began to hate the long two-pointer attempts, DeRozan was beloved by all.

Paired up with Kyle Lowry, the tandem was one of the best backcourt duos in the NBA. Not only were they great on the court, but they bonded off the court as well. There’s no “We the North” without what DeRozan accomplished and although they never won the title with him, he was a mentor to many players on that 2018-19 championship team.

DeRozan led the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2015-16, but unfortunately ran into LeBron James, who denied them from an NBA Finals berth. Despite continued success, the next two seasons were déjà vu for DeRozan and the Raptors, as they continued to lose to James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.

Although the ending was ugly, we all need to appreciate what DeRozan brought to Toronto. The four-time NBA All-Star was also named to two All-NBA teams and accomplished more than almost any other player in Raptors history. The kid from Compton initiated a winning culture and turned a laughing stock franchise into one of the most successful clubs of the past decade.