It has been one surprising season for the Toronto Raptors. A team that was thought to be tanking in early December, surprisingly turned their season around after a 6-12 start and now are heading towards their first playoff appearance since the 2007-2008 season.
With the Raptors success, the city of Toronto is really only left with one team to cheer for. The Maple Leafs, after blowing game seven last year blew their chances at the playoffs at all this year. The Blue Jays continue to frustrate as they play sub-500 baseball. TFC, well they continue to go under the radar.
As the Raptors head into their first round series versus the Brooklyn Nets, it’s no surprise that many people around the Toronto area will begin to follow the Raptors through their playoff run. Yup, the Raptors have opened the bandwagon. Those people who said basketball sucked and those people who didn’t think the Raptors would last in Toronto have begun to turn the televisions onto Raptor games. So, what a better way to help the band wagoners then giving them and all access look into the Raptors history and their players today.
The Past
A franchise that began in 1995, the Raptors didn’t succeed to begin with, but a draft night trade brought in Vince Carter in 1998. Back in the early 2000’s Carter was one of the NBA’s most talented players. Carter led the Raptors all the way to the second round in the 2001 playoffs. Carter missed a game winning shot in game seven, and then everything went downhill for the Raptors franchise.
People are still trying to figure out why Carter and the Raptors had such a huge issue. Some say Carter quit, others say management drove Carter away.
Then came Chris Bosh. Then Bosh left after some successful and other not so successful seasons.
Now, we are here. The 2013-2014 season has been a huge surprise to Raptor fans and the entire NBA. On December 8th the Raptors traded Rudy Gay, one of their top players to Sacramento in a seven player trade. Since that trade the Raptors have gone 42-22. Finishing the season third best in the Eastern Conference at 48-34 and clinching their second ever Atlantic Division title.
General Manager: Masai Ujiri
Masai Ujiri began his pursuit in becoming an NBA GM with the Raptors when former Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo hired Ujiri to be his assistant GM. On August 27th, 2010, Ujiri became the GM of the Denver Nuggets, leaving his job with the Raptors.
While with the Nuggets, Ujiri dealt away longtime Nugget star Carmelo Anthony. The trade of Anthony was the beginning of a Nuggets team that could have been an NBA force, but on May 31st, 2013 the Raptors brought back Ujiri. This time making him the teams GM, as Colangelo was fired (long story short).
A long with trading Gay, Ujiri traded away Andrea Bargnani, who if you ask any Raptors fan was a bust of a first overall pick. Eight of Toronto’s 12 players were brought in by Ujiri, but their five starters were all Colangelo’s doing.
Head Coach: Dwane Casey
Dwane Casey’s story is easier to cover. He was an assistant coach in Seattle from 1994-2005. Then he went on to be the Head Coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2005-2007. He wasn’t really given a fair chance in Minnesota, so after being fired joined the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant coach. With Dallas, Casey was the defensive coach and according to Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle, Casey was a huge part in helping the Mavericks win their Championship in 2011.
Then on June 21st, 2011 Casey became the Head Coach of the Raptors. Casey’s first two season with the Raptors led to combine 57-91 record. The last thing you need to know about Casey is that he’s never going to smile and never seems happy, but deep, deep down he is a nice guy and is really happy for his players.
Introducing the Starting Five
#10 DeMar DeRozan- Shooting Guard
DeRozan was drafted by the Raptors in 2009 with their ninth overall pick. The 24-year old out of Compton, California has never been to the playoffs with the Raptors and was never expected to be anything more than a reliable starter in the NBA. DeRozan has worked his butt off and last season earned himself a new 4-year, $40 million contract extension with the Raptors.
Not many thought DeRozan deserved that contract, but this year he earned himself a spot on the Eastern Conference all-star team and has the 10th highest points per game in the league. DeRozan has gone from a reliable starter to a the cornerstone to this Raptors franchise.
#7 Kyle Lowry- Point Guard
Where to start. Kyle Lowry was acquired by the Raptors on July 5th, 2012 from the Houston Rockets for a first round pick and Gary Forbes. Only a few months ago the Raptors almost traded Lowry to the New York Knicks. After trading Gay and the 6-12 start, everyone thought the Raptors would trade Lowry so they could begin to tank. Luckily for the Raptor, Knicks owner James Dolan rejected the trade and Lowry stayed in Toronto.
However, Lowry will become a free agent this summer and has the chance to get paid. Lowry use to be known as a player that didn’t get along with coaches and had a major attitude issue. That has changes and the Raptors could lose Lowry this summer, but could also retain the point guard.
Lowry will be the guy who is diving on the floor, taking charges and giving everything he has. He’s a small player, with a big heart.
#15 Amir Johnson- Power Forward
Amir Johnson was acquired by the Raptors on August 18th, 2009 from the Milwaukee Bucks. Johnson was drafted in 2005, but is only 26 years of age.
Johnson is the most beloved, cheered for Raptors player on the roster. He not only loves the Raptors, but the city of Toronto. Johnson has only missed a total of six games over the last two seasons, and he plays through every injury possible. He’s like a hockey player, but in basketball. If Johnson is healthy and plays the way Johnson is known to play, the Raptors will have a better chance against the Nets.
#17 Jonas Valanciunas- Center
When Jonas Valanciunas was drafted in 2011 with the Raptors fifth overall pick, fans weren’t happy. They thought Valanciunas was another white, European player that wasn’t going to play defence and would eventually end up playing overseas.
Valanciunas has been very impressive in his second year with the Raptors, as he spent the 2011-2012 season playing in Europe and didn’t join the Raptors till the 2012-2013 season. Valanciunas will be very good at times, but can get lost on offense when the Raptors tend to forget about him.
Few weeks ago Valanciunas was arrested for a DUI, so you could say he’s not very smart, and he’ll look like it on the court. You’ll see him talk to himself a lot, but other than all that stuff, he will put up some good numbers.
#31 Terrence Ross- Small Forward
Terrence Ross was a 2012, 8th overall pick for the Raptors. He’s an athletic wing man who can, at times, really shoot the three ball. Ross earlier this year scored 51 points in one game and was last years NBA Dunk Contest Champion.
What you’ll get from Ross is a lot of athletic plays, maybe some awesome dunks, but the Raptors need Ross’ defensive throughout the playoffs.
To the Bench
#54 Patrick Patterson- Power Foward (Sixth Man)
Patrick Patterson was one of the four player acquired from Sacramento by the Raptors and he has no become the Raptors best player off the bench. Patterson is a big man who can really shoot the three and can play inside the paint as well. He’s really a complete player and very rarely makes mistakes. Earlier this year Patterson hit a game winner to beat the Raptors first round opponents, the Nets.
#21 Greivis Vasquez- Back up Point Guard
Greivis Vasquez is another player acquired in the Sacramento trade. Vasquez considers himself to be a starting point guard in the NBA, but comes off the bench for the Raptors. Some say Vasquez is a starters, another say he is not. Either way Vasquez is a very good ball handler, shoot the ball over and occasionally has some stupid turnovers. His haircuts will make you mad, but without him backing up Lowry, the Raptors probably miss the playoffs.
#25 John Salmons- Shooting Guard/Small Forward
John Salmons is the third of four acquired from Sacramento and is the first wing-man off the bench for the Raptors. Salmons is the oldest player on the Raptors roster at the age of 34 and is a free agent coming this summer. Salmons will make you mad at times, like when he misses key free throws to a game, but he will also be a huge part of Raptors wins if you notice or not. He’s a veteran savvy player and the Raptors need his basketball smarts to be successful in the playoffs.
#50 Tyler Hansbrough- Power Forward
Tyler Hansbrough signed a 1-year deal with the Raptors this past summer. He’s one tough guy and doesn’t take B.S from anyone. He won’t score you many points, but he’ll rough up the opponent on the defensive end and will battle for every rebound or loose ball like it’s his last. Every team hates playing against this guy, but the team that has him is quite happy.
#44 Chuck Hayes- Center
Chuck Hayes is the final player acquired in the Sacramento trade. Although, earlier I mentioned Salmons as the oldest player on the Raptors, the 30 year old Hayes will look like he’s the oldest on the court. He doesn’t move very quick and doesn’t get very high off the ground, but his leadership is a huge part to the Raptors and he can really muscle it up down low against other big men.
#16 Steve Novak- Small Forward/Power Forward
You won’t see Steve Novak much, a guy acquired in the Bargnani trade in the summer from New York. Novak is a sharp shooter. If the Raptors every need a three, Novak’s the guy to go to. He’s not really worth anything else, so that’s why you won’t see him much.
#3 Nando De Colo- Point Guard
Nando De Colo was acquired by the Raptors on a trade deadline trade with San Antonio for Austin Daye. De Colo may be the third string point guard for the Raptors, but you will see him more than not. He’s very good playing with one of Lowry or Vasquez, but De Colo could also find himself at the end of the bench. It really depends on match ups if De Colo gets minutes.
#2 Landry Fields- Small Forward
Landry Fields was signed by the Raptors on July 11th of 2012 to a massive 3-year, $20 million contract. This contract signing was a head shaker as Fields’ former team, the Knicks weren’t even willing to give him that much. Fields was signed to be the Raptors starting small forwards, because he could really play defence and shoot at times. However, Fields hasn’t done any of that and now pretty much never dresses for the Raptors.
#13 Dwight Buycks & #77 Julyan Stone- Point Guards
Both sit at the end of the bench with suits on. They get to share laughs with the players when they win and tears when they lose. You’ll never see these guys unless there’s a lot of injuries. They’re probably nice guys, though.
Your 2013-2014 Toronto Raptors
There you have it. For you bandwagon fans, that was your guide to the Raptors Roster. Not much else to say, but Drake, the rapper, is the Raptors Global Ambassador. Therefore, make sure Drake is blasting in your home during games.
With that all being said, let’s find out if the Raptors can beat the veteran Brooklyn Nets and move onto the second round for the first time in franchise history.
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