Remember this?
Strange things happen in Washington. Nothing strange happened the first time the Raptors and Wizards met there earlier in the season. The Raptors as they were tonight were on the 2nd half of back to back. The Wizards were rested but without a win. That would change on that night as the Wizards would dismantle the Raptors in embarrassing fashion. It appeared we were heading for a replay of that on this night. After scoring the opening basket the Raptors would have 4 straight turnovers leading to 4 Wizards baskets. Turnovers would be a big factor in the first win the Wizards had in Washington. The Raptors would get back into it only to fall flat again and the Wizards enjoyed a 28-18 lead after one. The Raptors were getting torched by John Wall and friends as they were owning the paint. Something on Friday in Toronto they could not do. Things would not improve in the 2nd as the Wizards continued to put the wood to the Raptors at one point leading by 18 points. It was just an awful performance on the defensive end. Perhaps given that circumstances the worst of the season.
It was hard to stay actively involved as a viewer. But the Raptors did threaten to make a comeback. But after small bursts the Raptors would seem to hit a wall at the 10 point mark. A big physiological barrier in basketball. How often do we hear, if they could just get it to single digits they might have a shot at this game. Well the Raptors defence was still not getting it done but they did find a way to score. That way as the game went on would be Jerryd Bayless. He finished the night with 30 points on 9-23 shooting. The Raptors would outscore the Wizards 30-25 in the 3rd and sat stuck on that 10 point barrier that they could seem to break through with the score 82-72 after 3 quarters. Bayless on night may have been a volume shooter but in the 4th he was on the money more than he wasn't. He would be helped by Linas Kleiza who was one of few Raptors who was on point the entire night, going 11-16 on the evening and had 30 points of his own. The two combined for 10 three pointers, a lot of those coming down the stretch of this game in the 4th. The Raptors after a long battle the Raptors had finally climbed all the way back. Their first lead since the early moments of the game was erased in the blink of an eye by John Wall. He had 31 points on the night by the way. But in the end the Raptors would have a chance for another miracle in Washington with game tied at 105. After the refs went to replay they would decide the Raptors would have .9 seconds left to try and get the win. As you watched above the shot made by Morris Peterson did not win the game it only sent game to overtime. In the end the Raptors tried a long lob pass to try and put this game on ice but no dice.
This one would head to overtime and in that overtime is was pretty awful. The Raptors only managed to score 3 points. The Wizards would only manage 6 points but that was enough. The Raptors would have a chance to tie the game with a 3 but thankfully for the viewing audience it did not fall for Jose Calderon. Who ironically got the shot after Rasaul Butler passed him the ball. You can only imagine the horror had he shot it and missed. In the end if there was ever a game in which both teams made a solid case for both deserving a loss this might have been the game. But the Wizards can walk away with a much needed W for them only their 5th on the year with 2 wins over both the Bobcats and the Raptors and a shocking win over OKC. The final was 111-108 and don't expect this game to live on like the game in Washington that Morris Peterson tied and the Raptors eventually won. The Raptors were in a playoff race and that win would actually hurt the Raptors as it turned out. It lead to the Raptors facing the Nets instead of a injury plagued opposition. But at the time it was huge. Tonight's game is far less significant. But this is the type of loss that could stick with a team. Not exactly what the Raptors need on the verge of their longest home stand of the season of 7 games.
The glass half full or half empty debate will rage about this game. Do you give credit to the Raptors for fighting back and getting in this game at all after going down 18? That or do you blame the Raptors for a flat and awful performance to start this game that got them in the spot to begin with. I would say to things on behalf of the glass half empty folks. First this is a team that you should have beat and did beat handily on Friday. Two this is a bad basketball team and as much as the Raptors did earn their way to overtime it was also a big result of their opposition's poor play. Dwane Casey was not pleased after the first half and he had every right not to be. There was no moral victory in the Raptors coming back in this game. The reality is they never should have been in a position to have to come back from that far behind. They dug their grave in the first half. As I stated yesterday, after a great performance from the Raptors in Miami, it would mean nothing, if they did not win the game they should win today. I was called lame for that. But that isn't lame that is the truth and sometimes that hurts. Demar DeRozan wasn't terrible with 15 points going 4-10 from field and 7-8 at the line. But he didn't exactly build on what he did Sunday afternoon in Miami either. Consistency is a talent and a skill. As an individual for Demar and as a team the Raptors have lacked it from game to game, half to half and quarter to quarter. No matter what the standings happen to say in order to be a playoff team the first step to that is consistency.
Showing posts with label Morris Peterson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morris Peterson. Show all posts
12/4/10
Quick Chat With Morris Peterson
There has been a lot of talk recently about the players we love to hate. But one of them we love to love was back in Toronto. He is in the record books at the top of 2 lists. Most games played as a Raptor with 546 and most 3 pointers made with 801. He wore #24 proudly for 7 seasons. He is also as I told him, the only person that went to Michigan State that I like. Which he found very funny. He won a National Championship at the school as well. He is of course Morris Peterson.
In pre-game shoot around I watched him talking with so many folks. From his former team mate in Alvin Williams, members of the media like Paul Jones and Doug Smith to a security guard that obviously has been at the ACC back to his playing days as a Raptor. They all greeted him with smiles and the same was offered in return. There is just something about Morris Peterson that makes him so easy to like.
Peterson was traded from New Orleans to Oklahoma City. This is a Thunder team with little in terms of veteran experience. While some where hopeful or being optimistic the change might see Mo get some more PT it just hasn't worked out. Last night in Toronto was only the 3rd game he has seen minutes this season. The last time, before last night, was on November 19th when the KDless Thunder surprised the Celtics. In fact until last night Peterson had not recorded a point.
Still no matter what the rest of his days in the NBA hold, he will always be loved here just as much as Vince Carter is not.
I asked him if it is still fun coming back to Toronto even now after more than a couple years have passed.
It has to feel good knowing that you are one of the guys that has left and is still loved unlike some others on the other side of the coin. It must be nice to come back knowing that people still have warm feelings towards you?
I asked him his thoughts on his new team in OKC and if there were any similarities to any of the Raptor teams he played on?
Some of those young guys came and gave Mo-P a hard time (not really) pretending to be reporters asking some funny questions on what he does to help these young guys. D.J White and Byron Mullens were among the 3 players playing reporter. It was pretty funny. It just shows that whatever locker room Morris Peterson is in you can know 2 things. He is always going to be loved by his team members and their is always going to be humour.
We also before the interview started were almost taken out by a Gatorade bottle, but I am happy to report that both myself and Morris Peterson were not harmed in the conducting of this interview. But it was close. After we were done talking we got talking about a few things. The fact that I am from Hamilton and he is from Flint. Which means nothing to people out side of those towns. But if you live in them and are involved in sports at all the 2 cities are tied by a sporting event called the Canus games. It is like a little mini-Olympics of all different sports. I remember back when Mo was a Raptor he had mentioned he took part in them as a kid. I never did was not that great an athlete. He may be a Spartan but even as a Wolverine fan there is no possible way on earth I can not like Morris Peterson. The other scary thing is he looks almost the same as the guy I interviewed back at those V.C Charity games a long time ago.
He was probably one of the first NBA guys that I ever interviewed and he is still one of my favourites. Andrea Bargnani will likely beat his 3 point mark some day but record book or not you will always remember Morris Peterson as Raptor we love. No list is complete with out him
In pre-game shoot around I watched him talking with so many folks. From his former team mate in Alvin Williams, members of the media like Paul Jones and Doug Smith to a security guard that obviously has been at the ACC back to his playing days as a Raptor. They all greeted him with smiles and the same was offered in return. There is just something about Morris Peterson that makes him so easy to like.
Peterson was traded from New Orleans to Oklahoma City. This is a Thunder team with little in terms of veteran experience. While some where hopeful or being optimistic the change might see Mo get some more PT it just hasn't worked out. Last night in Toronto was only the 3rd game he has seen minutes this season. The last time, before last night, was on November 19th when the KDless Thunder surprised the Celtics. In fact until last night Peterson had not recorded a point.
Still no matter what the rest of his days in the NBA hold, he will always be loved here just as much as Vince Carter is not.
I asked him if it is still fun coming back to Toronto even now after more than a couple years have passed.
Morris Peterson " It is always special to come back to Toronto. I have a lot of friends here. Playing here 7 years I had a chance to develop relationships. It is always nice to see familiar faces."
It has to feel good knowing that you are one of the guys that has left and is still loved unlike some others on the other side of the coin. It must be nice to come back knowing that people still have warm feelings towards you?
Morris Peterson "It's good to be accepted. To be recognized....I have been getting a lot of tweets and messages thanking me for all the years I had here. You develop relationships not just with people but with the fans as well. I always love coming back here"
I asked him his thoughts on his new team in OKC and if there were any similarities to any of the Raptor teams he played on?
"I think this team... we got a lot of potential. These guys work hard. Each team is different that I have been on. We have some great young players. Some guys that have bright futures. I'm just trying to do what I can to help these guys be the best players that they can be."
Some of those young guys came and gave Mo-P a hard time (not really) pretending to be reporters asking some funny questions on what he does to help these young guys. D.J White and Byron Mullens were among the 3 players playing reporter. It was pretty funny. It just shows that whatever locker room Morris Peterson is in you can know 2 things. He is always going to be loved by his team members and their is always going to be humour.
We also before the interview started were almost taken out by a Gatorade bottle, but I am happy to report that both myself and Morris Peterson were not harmed in the conducting of this interview. But it was close. After we were done talking we got talking about a few things. The fact that I am from Hamilton and he is from Flint. Which means nothing to people out side of those towns. But if you live in them and are involved in sports at all the 2 cities are tied by a sporting event called the Canus games. It is like a little mini-Olympics of all different sports. I remember back when Mo was a Raptor he had mentioned he took part in them as a kid. I never did was not that great an athlete. He may be a Spartan but even as a Wolverine fan there is no possible way on earth I can not like Morris Peterson. The other scary thing is he looks almost the same as the guy I interviewed back at those V.C Charity games a long time ago.
He was probably one of the first NBA guys that I ever interviewed and he is still one of my favourites. Andrea Bargnani will likely beat his 3 point mark some day but record book or not you will always remember Morris Peterson as Raptor we love. No list is complete with out him
12/3/10
Young Onez Spark A Rally And Roll On Thunder.
Kevin Durant spoke with media pre-game but he did not play tonight. Russell Westbrook looked to lead the Thunder tonight against the Raptors coming off a big win vs the Wizards. Westbrook has been big for the Thunder with Durant out. In his last 3 games he has averaged 28.6 points and 10 assists. Jose Calderon you might have expected to be in for a long night. But sometimes what we think doesn't always happen.
1st Quarter:
OKC got it going early with 2 scores in the paint and had a 4-0 lead to get this one under way. Bargnani would draw contact and get to the line making both to get the Raptors on the board. That sparked an 8-0 Raptor run that featured a couple jumpers from Jose and set up Demar for the slam dunk. I watched Demar warming up prior to the game and you could see him feeling more confident in his hamstring. He confirmed later in the locker room it was feeling much better and it had showed in this performance vs the Wizards and was again tonight early in this one.
After taking that 8-4 lead the Raptors would not trail for the rest of the quarter. It remained close throughout the first but the Raptors were doing enough to stay in front. The largest lead they would have was 6 with the score 16-10 after back to back Bargnani buckets. Calderon and Bargnani were leading the charge. After hooking up Demar for a dunk he would also find Amir Johnson for an Alley Opp slam. Andrea had 10 points and 3 rebounds in the Quarter in 9 minutes of action and Calderon in same amount of floor time had 4 points 4 assists and a steal. Westbrook had 4 points as well and 3 assists and 1 steal. Jose with a slight edge in point guard battle. James Harden seemed to give the Thunder a bit of a spark off the bench at the end of the Quarter.But at the end of the first it was Toronto with a 28-25 lead.
2nd Quarter
D.J White who is becoming one of the Thunder's key players off the bench was able to block Bargnani a couple of times near the beginning of the 2nd. White unfortunately for the Thunder would get injured later in the quarter. Unfortunate for the Raptors was they lost the lead on Collison tip in making it 34-32 Thunder. Another sign of trouble was James Harden. He ended up with 7 in the Quarter that included a 3-ball That made it 47-41 Thunder.
Long time Raptor Morris Peterson checked in to a nice ovation. He was another before the game I managed to talk with and he seems content in his roll mentoring the youngsters on this Thunder team. But he still loves Toronto and feeling is mutual. One of the good guys in Raptor history. Peterson had only played in two games for the Thunder and the last time was on November the 19th. Another game with no Durant in which the Thunder hung on to beat the Celtics. That was followed by these Raptors beating Boston as well on the Sunday. Shifting back to Peterson he had just played 7 minutes all season and had yet to record a point for his new team that acquired him in a draft day trade with New Orleans. It would not come till the 4th but Peterson would record some points. A classy move by Scott Brooks giving Mo-P some playing time in his former home of Toronto.
The Thunder would close the half strong getting the lead all the way to 9 but having to settle for a touchdown lead at the half leading 59-52. Westbrook had 10 points 5 assists and couple steals. While Bargnani after a strong first had just 1 point in the second quarter. But had 4 more redounds for a total of 7. Calderon had just 2 more points with 6 but he had 7 assists. Barbosa had 10 off the bench and Harden 11 for the Thunder. Game's high scorer was Jeff Green who had 13 points and just 1 rebound. That is a Bargnani line.
3rd Quarter
How many times can you remember the Raptors storming out of a half last season to take back control of a game? The answer is probably not that often. Keep in mind this was a Thunder team that needed 3 overtimes to knock off New Jersey. On the same night the Raptors were pounding the Wizards and could afford to rest there players. It was the Young Onez that came out of the locker room on fire. Demar, Sonny and Amir all contributed in turning a 7 point disadvantage into a 1 point advantage in under 3 minutes. It was capped off with a DeRozan alley opp pass with Weems on the finish. Raptors took a 64-63 and they would never trail the rest of the night as it turned out. The Raptors would build the advantage to as high as 11 points and would outscore the Thunder 34-18 in the Quarter and when the dust cleared the Raptors had a 86-77 lead to take to the 4th Quarter.
This was the best quarter of basketball as a collective group from the Young Onez in this entire season. The group accounted for 22 of the Raptors 34 in the Quarter.
4th Quarter.
The Raptors had no intention of letting the Thunder off the hook. OKC was also starting to slowly run out of gas in this game. The effects of that Triple OT win was starting to show on this team. If they had been able to have Kevin Durant in this game, he would have helped a lot in the late going of this one. But K.D was not coming in to save the day.
Raptors as a group had done a nice job keeping Russell Wesbrook under control with 14 points and 7 assists . While Calderon was having a brilliant night with 15 assists and Andrea Bargnani already had his 1st double double of the season in the books after 3. It promoted me to ask on Twitter what was more shocking the Bargnani double double, or the game previous when the Raptors had 101 points after 3. Tonight reminded me of something Jack Armstrong said in his recent interview in the DNB. He said it was not making excuses for Andrea. but with Reggie Evans on the floor and some of the other guys on this roster the opportunities he has to get rebounds are vastly reduced. Now with no Reggie the rebound total for Bargnani has been on the rise. Bargnani mentioned the loss of Evans as the reason for his improvement in numbers in the post game scrum. He said that not just him, but everyone had to make a effort to make up for the loss of Reggie on the glass. Raptors would get the lead to 14 and it would slide to 9 late before the Raptors tromped on the gas petal and finished this off for the 111-99 win.
Post game I spoke with Demar DeRozan about the 3rd Quarter for him and the other Young Onez. Well to be more correct I slipped and said Young Gunz and corrected myself. I said that it was like an infomercial for the group and asked if they were feeding off each other. Got a smile and a bit of a laugh, not sure if it was for the Young Gunz slip or the infomercial line. Once that was over Demar had this to say about that.
Demar DeRozan: "Yeah, stuff like that you got feed off it. We were feeding off the crowd. Just having the opportunity to get on a run. We took advantage of it."
Jay Triano a couple games ago vs Atlanta was brutally honest saying his starting unit 1 through 5 had been beat. I asked if tonight was a flip of that script, as the starters played well outscoring the Thunder starters 72-56.
Triano "Possibly yeah, I would like to take back Sonny's turnovers in the first half. But he cleaned that up in the second half and had 8 points and just 1 turnover. Which was big. Amir played well, Andrea played well, I thought Demar was solid and Jose was good."
It was quite the turn around for the starting 5 in just a couple games. The Raptors have had back to back impressive wins after a horrible loss. When they had that bad loss to the Wizards they rolled off 4 wins. Now after a terrible loss to Atlanta they have made it 2 in a row. A re-match from opening night awaits on Sunday, and if the Raptors are starting to believe they can be a playoff team a win over the Knicks would be pretty important. Did I say playoffs? Long way off yet but the Raptors are ahead of last season record wise, and the only other thing different is the expectation levels. But this group seems to have faith in themselves, a lot more than anyone else did prior to this season. Watching the Cavs get demolished by the Heat was a clear sign the Raptors have a lot more talent on the Post Bosh Raptors in comparison to the Post James Cavs. While 8 and 11 is not cause for parades, it is a lot better than almost anyone expected. In an Eastern Conference of under achievers the Raptors are in the mix for now to compete for a playoff spot. Wins over OKC, Boston and Orlando only help the Raptors confidence grow.
James Borbath (Dino Blogger) Reporting From The Penthouse At The ACC
9/22/09
Looking Back On 15 Years
While we wait for training camp to get going, thought today I would take a step back and look at history of this franchise. Well more my own personal history with the Raptors. This will be the 15 season that the Raptors have been in the NBA. It may surprise some people but at first I was not sure if I was going to be a Raptor fan. I was excited that the NBA was returning to Canada. Well at least historically, for me it was a first as it was for majority of folks. I am pretty sure most of us were not alive when the Toronto Huskies played in the first season of the NBA. I had always been a basketball fan but driving all the way to Detroit was never something I had done. So just to have the ability to go watch an NBA game was exciting. That is something 15 years later I think we all take for granted. Slowly I started to grow attached to this new team. The clincher for me was the drafting of Damon Stoudamire. I had watched him play at Arizona and was a big fan of how he played the game. Prior to that I cheered for the Hornets. Damon would show all of those people that booed him on draft night just how wrong they were. He would win the Rookie of the Year Award in that first season. Mighty Mouse was the first star this team had and it was fun to watch him play. He would get a triple double early in that first season which since has been a rare event for the Raptors.
It was sad that Damon's time with the Raptors was not as long as you might have hoped for and should have been. Damon would never have the success or fame that he did as a Toronto Raptor. In that first season the Raptors also had one of the Michigan's "Fab 5" in Jimmy King. He would not do as well as his college team members in the NBA. Webber, Rose and Howard all had longer and more successful careers. But at least my Michigan Wolverines will always be an answer to a trivia question. Jimmy King would be the first of many second round picks that would not work out so well for the Raptors. That first Raptor team also had John Salley who these days is known for The Best Damn Sports Show but was of course part of championship teams with Pistons. There was the Big O aka Oliver Miller who I think is easily the largest Raptor is history. Zan Tabak, Alvin Robertson, Carlos Rodgers and many others are names that we all may remember from those early days.
Like any expansion team it was a group of misfits.The uniforms with the big red Dino and purple all over fit that nicely. Still they were our misfits and there was something to that. So many names have rolled through on this squad over the years. Jerome Williams is one that will always stick out for me. He was not part of those early days. However the story of him jumping in his truck and driving from Detroit to Toronto is a blizzard is a story I will never forget. I have had to meet him a couple times back in early 2000's and he was just a great person and fun loving guy. Still is for that matter. Morris Peterson is another guy I have met in person. The fact I am a Michigan fan and he went to Michigan State would make it hard to love him normally. But he was also a pretty great person and I actually was able to connect with him based on where we both lived. He was from Flint, Michigan and I am from Hamilton. The connection is an event that happens between the 2 cities called the CANUS Games. It is an event where the two cities complete in various sporting events, basketball among them. Moe P is a fan favourite for lots of people and is I believe the longest serving Raptor in terms of games played.
Like I have said I was a Hornets fan prior to the Raptors. So to see Dell Curry and Muggys Bogues play for the Raptors was a personal treat for me. Bogues was just flat out fun to watch play the game. If you ever have met him you could never believe that a guy that small could play in the NBA. He looks like he could be one of the players kids. When it comes to Dell he was just one of the best shooters to ever play the game. Who knew that his son shooting baskets on the Raptors floor would years later be doing it during games starting this season.
Any look back at the Raptors has to give a mention to Charles Oakley. He in a lot of ways made this franchise grow up. His no nonsense approach and his bombastic comments and style was great. Oakley even long after he was gone would be a symbol of toughness that was lacking in future teams. He was not afraid to stand up to anyone from Vince Carter to the league itself. Charles Oakley was his own man and I think that is one of the reasons people respect and love him.
Raptors have had the good fortune to have some quality people covering them over the years as well. John Saunders of ESPN use to call Raptor games and of course Chuck Swirsky. Not to mention the may folks that we have had as guests here. Jack Armstrong, Paul Jones and Eric Smith. Leo Rautins also has been there from the start. I may not be a fan personally but he has been here from the start. You also have Doug Smith who has been on the Raptors beat from day one as well on the print side.
But when they right the story of this franchise be it 10 years from now or 50. Two names will be in that history for sure. Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. They are the 2 multi-time all stars that this franchise has produced. Many people still hate Vince Carter to this day. However there is no way not to mention him when you talk about the history of this team. He was truly amazing in those early days. He did things that people looked at with true amazement. Shaq gave him a nickname of half man and half amazing and he truly was. There was a time when Vinsanity was just that. If he made that 3 pointer in Philly who knows how the story might have changed. He more than anyone before him or after made the Raptors truly relevant to the U.S media.
Bosh on the other hand has grown into the role. He slowly has developed from a rookie will lots of potential to a top player in the league. He was the star player on the first and only Raptors Division Title winning team. It is, as I have said many times, been a pleasure to watch him grow. Looking forward to hopefully the best season ever this year.
That just scratches the surface of my memories of this team. What are your memories of this Raptors Franchise? Share some in the comments, be it a player a game or whatever.
It was sad that Damon's time with the Raptors was not as long as you might have hoped for and should have been. Damon would never have the success or fame that he did as a Toronto Raptor. In that first season the Raptors also had one of the Michigan's "Fab 5" in Jimmy King. He would not do as well as his college team members in the NBA. Webber, Rose and Howard all had longer and more successful careers. But at least my Michigan Wolverines will always be an answer to a trivia question. Jimmy King would be the first of many second round picks that would not work out so well for the Raptors. That first Raptor team also had John Salley who these days is known for The Best Damn Sports Show but was of course part of championship teams with Pistons. There was the Big O aka Oliver Miller who I think is easily the largest Raptor is history. Zan Tabak, Alvin Robertson, Carlos Rodgers and many others are names that we all may remember from those early days.
Like any expansion team it was a group of misfits.The uniforms with the big red Dino and purple all over fit that nicely. Still they were our misfits and there was something to that. So many names have rolled through on this squad over the years. Jerome Williams is one that will always stick out for me. He was not part of those early days. However the story of him jumping in his truck and driving from Detroit to Toronto is a blizzard is a story I will never forget. I have had to meet him a couple times back in early 2000's and he was just a great person and fun loving guy. Still is for that matter. Morris Peterson is another guy I have met in person. The fact I am a Michigan fan and he went to Michigan State would make it hard to love him normally. But he was also a pretty great person and I actually was able to connect with him based on where we both lived. He was from Flint, Michigan and I am from Hamilton. The connection is an event that happens between the 2 cities called the CANUS Games. It is an event where the two cities complete in various sporting events, basketball among them. Moe P is a fan favourite for lots of people and is I believe the longest serving Raptor in terms of games played.
Like I have said I was a Hornets fan prior to the Raptors. So to see Dell Curry and Muggys Bogues play for the Raptors was a personal treat for me. Bogues was just flat out fun to watch play the game. If you ever have met him you could never believe that a guy that small could play in the NBA. He looks like he could be one of the players kids. When it comes to Dell he was just one of the best shooters to ever play the game. Who knew that his son shooting baskets on the Raptors floor would years later be doing it during games starting this season.
Any look back at the Raptors has to give a mention to Charles Oakley. He in a lot of ways made this franchise grow up. His no nonsense approach and his bombastic comments and style was great. Oakley even long after he was gone would be a symbol of toughness that was lacking in future teams. He was not afraid to stand up to anyone from Vince Carter to the league itself. Charles Oakley was his own man and I think that is one of the reasons people respect and love him.
Raptors have had the good fortune to have some quality people covering them over the years as well. John Saunders of ESPN use to call Raptor games and of course Chuck Swirsky. Not to mention the may folks that we have had as guests here. Jack Armstrong, Paul Jones and Eric Smith. Leo Rautins also has been there from the start. I may not be a fan personally but he has been here from the start. You also have Doug Smith who has been on the Raptors beat from day one as well on the print side.
But when they right the story of this franchise be it 10 years from now or 50. Two names will be in that history for sure. Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. They are the 2 multi-time all stars that this franchise has produced. Many people still hate Vince Carter to this day. However there is no way not to mention him when you talk about the history of this team. He was truly amazing in those early days. He did things that people looked at with true amazement. Shaq gave him a nickname of half man and half amazing and he truly was. There was a time when Vinsanity was just that. If he made that 3 pointer in Philly who knows how the story might have changed. He more than anyone before him or after made the Raptors truly relevant to the U.S media.
Bosh on the other hand has grown into the role. He slowly has developed from a rookie will lots of potential to a top player in the league. He was the star player on the first and only Raptors Division Title winning team. It is, as I have said many times, been a pleasure to watch him grow. Looking forward to hopefully the best season ever this year.
That just scratches the surface of my memories of this team. What are your memories of this Raptors Franchise? Share some in the comments, be it a player a game or whatever.
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