If it wasn’t for a few of the shooting guards we’re about to talk about, the Toronto Raptors franchise would have been completely different. In their 25-year legacy, the two-guard has been instrumental in team success and has provided some of the best moments in franchise history.
While most would typically look at the point-guard to play a bigger role in winning, it’s been two shooting guards that led the way for a number of seasons. The Raptors have been troubling at times this season, but their backcourt has been consistent. Positions have evolved in the NBA and that can be said about this current roster that technically has two starting point-guards.
Although players like Fred VanVleet may have a better career than a few of the players we’re about to talk about, this list is dedicated to the traditional shooting guard. Someone who can score, but isn’t typically bringing the ball up the court and running the offense.
Top 5 Shooting Guards in Raptors History
Honorable Mentions: Alvin Williams, Lou Williams, Fred VanVleet
No. 5: Jalen Rose
Rose had some nice moments in Toronto
Jalen Rose deserves to be on this top-five list purely based on the fact that he loves the Raptors and not enough players share his thoughts. He’s the advocator for “champagning and campaigning” and always talks about how much fun he had in Toronto.
Rose joined the Raptors during the 2003-04 season after being traded from the Chicago Bulls with Donyell Marshall and Lonny Baxter in exchange for Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams and Chris Jefferies. In 177 career games, he averaged 16.2 points, 3.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Although the 2004-05 season will always be remembered for the Vince Carter trade, Rose will remember it differently. The team finished with an abysmal 33-49 record, but he led the team in scoring that season. The Detroit native had eight 30-point games that season and if it wasn’t for his production, the team probably would have finished with a top draft pick.
Rose may have been on the Raptors during one of the darkest times in franchise history, but fans will be forever thankful for his presence as one of the bright spots in a time filled with turmoil and uncertainty.
No. 4: Morris Peterson
Mo-Pete was a player ahead of his time
Morris Peterson, or better known as “Mo Pete”, would have been an All-Star if he played during today’s era. The lefty was a three-point specialist, who’s best three-point percentage came in 2005-06, when he averaged 39.5 percent.
Peterson took 448 three-point attempts, which was sixth-most in the NBA that season. If he had replicated that campaign during the 2019-20 season, it would’ve been the 20th most attempts. In today’s NBA, Mo-Pete would have probably had 150 more attempts and averaged at least 20 points per game.
Regardless, Peterson deserves to be number-four on this list based on his longevity and fanfare. Drafted 21st overall in the 2000 NBA Draft, Mo-Pete made an impact early into his career.
During his first NBA season, Peterson had a huge 17-point night in Game 6 of the Second Round against the Philadelphia 76ers that helped the team to a 101-93 victory. Mo-Pete had been pretty quiet earlier in the series, but that game was his coming-out party, as he shot three-for-five from beyond the arc.
Even though this was a meaningless game in a terrible season, Peterson’s biggest moment in Raptors history happened on March 30, 2007 during a play that will forever be played on SportsCentre Top 10’s.
Down 109-106 against the Washington Wizards, Peterson hit a miracle three-pointer as time expired to send the game to overtime, which they eventually won 123-118.
The craziest thing about this play is that Michael Ruffin of the Wizards intercepted the ball and instead of holding onto it, he threw the ball up in the air to kill the clock. Time didn’t expire like Ruffin hoped, as the ball instead landed right in Mo-Pete’s hand, who desperately hit the three-pointer.
Raptors fans will be forever thankful to Ruffin and Mo-Pete for making that miracle shot and providing a fun memory during a rough time.
No. 3: Doug Christie
Christie was an amazing defender for the Raptors
When you think of the “OG” Toronto Raptors, Doug Christie is at the top of the list. Alongside Damon Stoudamire, that duo ran the team’s backcourt for the first few years of the franchise’s existence.
During five seasons with the Raptors, Christie started 299 of a possible 314 games and was one of the reasons people fell in love with basketball in Toronto. His stat-line was never All-Star worthy but he did average 14.2 points, 3.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds during his tenure.
Christie was a decent scorer, but his best attribute was defending. In back-to-back seasons (1996-97 and 1997-98), he finished second in the NBA in steals. Although he never won this award as a member of the Raptors, he did finish his career being named to the All-NBA First Team once and All-NBA Second Team three times.
Christie was, unfortunately, a victim of his surroundings because he could only do so much on an expansion team. After playing on a few terrible teams for the first four years of his career in Toronto, the Raptors turned their fortune around in the 1999-2000 season, where they finally made the playoffs.
You may not see a ton of Doug Christie jerseys floating around Scotiabank Arena but he’s still one of the best defenders to ever play for the Toronto Raptors. Even though he truly made his name as a player in Sacramento, Christie is one of the best Raptors ever.
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.
No. 1: Vince Carter
Vince is still a legend in Toronto
Toronto Raptors fan’s number-one enemy is also clearly the top shooting guard in franchise history.
Many fans didn’t appreciate the way Vince Carter handled himself at the end of his tenure in Toronto, but it shouldn’t take away what he accomplished on the court. Drafted fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1998 NBA Draft, acquiring Vinsanity may have been the greatest trade in franchise history. Well, besides, the Kawhi Leonard deal, of course.
Carter joined the Raptors as a 22-year-old and was shot out of a cannon upon arrival. He not only led the team in scoring as a first-year player, but he also won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. With his insane hop’s and acrobatic dunks, Carter put Toronto on the map and made being a Raptors fan cool.
From 1999-2002, Carter was at the peak of his powers. His 2000 NBA Slam Dunk appearance was one of the most entertaining in league history and he made every kid in Canada want to be like him. If you don’t believe me, watch The Carter Effect on Netflix, which showcases the great Canadian basketball boom that transpired from Carter.
Carter was named to the All-NBA Third Team and All-NBA Second Team during his time with the Raptors and finished fifth in NBA scoring in the 2000-01 season averaging 27.6 points per game. That same season was the most magical year in Raptors history at the time, as the team came one made shot away from making the Eastern Conference Finals.
Obviously, his graduation trip and terrible attitude during his departure have soured a lot of Raptors fans, but we can’t take away the fact that he was incredibly entertaining to watch. Without his presence, the Raptors franchise could have failed like the Vancouver Grizzlies did for all we know.