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

By Ben Fisher | Feb 14, 2021

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) /

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ATLANTA – DECEMBER 02: Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Chris Bosh, 2003 to 2010 (7 seasons)

Admittedly a pretty obvious choice here, but Chris Bosh is really the only former Raptor that could’ve been No. 1 on this list. Not only was he the club’s franchise star for the entirety of the post-VC 2000’s, but his perimeter-based game remains ideally suited for the modern NBA big man.

It is easy to envision Bosh blending in seamlessly with the current group, adding even more length on defense and incorporating a mid-range dimension that the club doesn’t really have on offense. Depending on the night, CB4 would have the opportunity to either take over as the primary option or keep opposing defenses honest as an over-qualified depth option

Bosh would’ve changed the game for the Raptors

For Bosh, whose career was cut short due to blood clots, things came full circle during the 2019 NBA Finals when he had a front row seat to the organization’s first championship victory as a guest analyst for TSN.

There are plenty of other names from that era who would certainly look good on today’s team, as like Jason Kapono, sharp-shooting big men like Matt Bonner (just not Andrea Bargnani), and a defensive-minded wing like P.J. Tucker (first go-around).

Next. Top 5 seasons ever in Raptors History. dark

We want to hear from you – who do you think the Raptors could use from that era?