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Toronto Raptors: Top 10 rookie seasons in franchise history

By Mike Luciano

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

4. Chris Bosh, 2003-04

Bosh didn’t leave Toronto in the most graceful given how sudden it was, but he is still one of the greatest to ever to do it. The fourth overall pick out of Georgia Tech after LeBron James, Darko Milicic, and Carmelo Anthony went off the board, he proved he was a star despite one of the worst offenses in NBA history around him.

Bosh averaged 11.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game despite playing in a Kevin O’Neill offense that was 27th in pace and dead last in scoring per game at 85.4 points per game. That’s three quarters of work nowadays! When Sam Mitchell came in, Bosh made the first of what would be 11 straight All-Star teams.

https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1370390203609841669

Chris Bosh’s rookie year helped set the foundation for a legendary career.

Bosh, who was recently elected to the Hall of Fame because of his accomplishments with Toronto and Miami, remains the greatest big man in Raptors history, and while he never won a title the foundation he laid during that rookie year set him up for a half-decade of dominance in Canada.

Bosh may not have left Toronto on the best of terms, but that doesn’t erase the legacy that he built during his time north of the border. Though his No. 4 might be getting passed on to Barnes, Scottie will have a ton of work to do if he wants to eclipse Bosh in Raptors history.