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Raptors: Top 5 power forwards in franchise history

By Avishai Sol

NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket between Wilson Chandler #21 and Al Harrington #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2010 in New York, New York. 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 Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Chris Bosh #4 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket between Wilson Chandler #21 and Al Harrington #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2010 in New York, New York. 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 Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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Amir Johnson, Raptors
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Amir Johnson #15 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Raptors power forward No. 4: Amir Johnson

Johnson embodies all the best parts of a role player in the NBA. Unselfish, hardworking, intelligent, and a true gentleman on and off the floor. Johnson’s locker room leadership kept him the league long after his basketball abilities had dried up. While they lasted, he was a strong contributor during the turning point in Raptors history.

Johnson’s tenure in Toronto lasted six years (2009-15) in which he put up modest numbers (8.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks) which never fully encapsulated his effect on the game.  He was a great defender, decently nimble for a man 6’9 and 240 lbs, with long arms and a really polished old-school post game. Watch his 2013 career-high against the Lakers.

Amir Johnson was a decent starter for the Raptors

Still, his most impressive trait was his intangibles. While it’s impossible to quantify things like “patience” and “intelligence”, one can try through the most telling Johnson stat, his 57.0 career field goal percentage which puts him 14th all-time.

Johnson was never a star. Nowhere near that in fact. But he was a winning player. He was a staple of the Raptors while the DeRozan/Lowry era was righting the ship.  As fans take pride in the stellar culture of today’s franchise, remember that it was built by guys like Johnson.