Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Raptors: Could any mid-2000s Raptors help this 2020 team?

By Ben Fisher

TORONTO - APRIL 21: Mikki Moore #33 of the New Jersey Nets tries to block Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 21, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Nets won 96-91. 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 Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO - APRIL 21: Mikki Moore #33 of the New Jersey Nets tries to block Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 21, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Nets won 96-91. 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 Abel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

The gripes that fans have about the current Toronto Raptors reveal the spoils of successes stemming from numerous deep playoff runs and, of course, the 2019 title. ‘They’re no longer elite’, ‘they aren’t championship-caliber’, ‘they may not get out of the first round’! While the thought of going into tank mode has at least been floated, few observers doubt that the club will ultimately pull things together and nab a playoff spot in the mediocre East.

For many years, grabbing a playoff spot was a crowning feat that would’ve instantly defined a season as a success. Look at the Raptors of the 2000’s. The organization and its fans were so playoff-starved that a surprising division title in 2006-07 was celebrated even after it ended in the first round against the

Brooklyn

New Jersey Nets and then-public enemy No. 1 Vince Carter.

That memorable 47-win season from a Euro-driven Raptors squad was one of just two playoff appearances across 11 seasons for the franchise during that time. Still, nostalgia is powerful, and so fond memories still exist of plenty of players who donned Raptors unis over what was, overall, a pretty uninspiring decade.

While the teams weren’t great, some of the players were. In fact, a few guys from that era could probably be of use to the current group. Here are five former Raptors that might prove handy to have on today’s team.

These 5 former Raptors could really help out this current team

“Numero Ocho” Jose Calderon (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
“Numero Ocho” Jose Calderon (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Jose Calderon, 2005 to 2013 (8 seasons)

The funny thing about including Calderon on this list is how he’s basically the antithesis to everything that the current Raptors are. With such a heavy focus placed on defense, surely the Spaniard would give Nick Nurse fits. Likewise, even an in-his-prime Calderon would struggle to keep up with a group that likes to get out and run.

What Calderon would lack could be easily offset by the skills he brings to the table. A traditional, pass-first point guard would not only help ease the minutes burden placed upon Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, but he would allow them to play off the ball, enabling a system with no fewer than three playmakers (not counting Pascal Siakam) on the floor at a time.

Calderon would’ve given the Raptors some extra juice on offense

Sure, size and match-ups might be a concern, but both Lowry and VanVleet have demonstrated their ability to guard bigger players, and their presence could help shelter Calderon on the defensive end.

Offensively, Toronto’s second all-time leader in assists always had a knack for making those around him better. That’s a quality that won’t be rendered obsolete in what is, admittedly, a very different NBA. Although Calderon was a vastly underrated three-point shooter. He actually ranks 25th all-time in career three-point percentage (40.7%).