Who's your favourite Raptor of all-time and why?

[Apollo]

Oak. Because he was @#$%^&* hard as @#$%. (jk)

Vince Carter's career started in on the decline as soon as these two split. I don't care about stats or him playing with Jason Kidd later on, I'm talking about how Vince Carter played the game. Oak pushed him, publicly called him out many times. It was no coincidence that when Oak was playing with him in Toronto the majority considered Vince the best SG in the league, the next MJ, better than Kobe Bryant. It was no coincidence that when Vince stopped playing with Oakley and was surrounded by people who didn't challenge him to drive the bucket, to never relent on both sides of the court, he started settling for more and more jumpers, played mediocre D and became less and less of a game breaking factor.

I think Oakley saw the great potential of Carter and he knew what that talent required for the potential to be realized and he knew how to "guide" it.

[S.R.]

The joys of watching Vince in a Raptors uniform, when we legitimately thought he might be the next MJ and could argue about whether or not he was a better player than Kobe...man we've been nowhere near that height at any other point in the past 20 years. No other Raptor made me jump out of my seat as much as Vince. It isn't even close.

[Partfoop]

Yeah, we were surprised. He'd been really friendly and charming and then turned cold at the mention of Vince. Then, right back to the friendly and charming guy again. It was very cool to hear a player express an honest opinion, fearless of the politics around it.

[Scraptor]

I look back at that Vince dunk contest and I get this feeling in my gut that brings it all back. I'll watch a replay of the playoff games against Iverson, or better, Spree and Houston and I get that same feeling. Hell, even a low-def replay on Raptors TV of Vince's first game against the Grizzlies or that amazing nationally televised game against Phoenix makes me wish I could rewatch each game (well, of his first 5 years here).

A friend and I met Matt Bonner right after the New Jersey trade, at which point he said to us: "Aw, screw that guy. He quit on us, so I'm done with him." The Red Rocket was easy to love too.

On a vaguely related note, I thought Alex English was a hell of an assistant coach.

Crazy. Never would've expected Bonner to be so blunt.

[Partfoop]

I look back at that Vince dunk contest and I get this feeling in my gut that brings it all back. I'll watch a replay of the playoff games against Iverson, or better, Spree and Houston and I get that same feeling. Hell, even a low-def replay on Raptors TV of Vince's first game against the Grizzlies or that amazing nationally televised game against Phoenix makes me wish I could rewatch each game (well, of his first 5 years here).

A friend and I met Matt Bonner right after the New Jersey trade, at which point he said to us: "Aw, screw that guy. He quit on us, so I'm done with him." The Red Rocket was easy to love too.

On a vaguely related note, I thought Alex English was a hell of an assistant coach.

[stretch]

Zan Tabak

[canadafubuki]

Jose Calderon for me...

For what he lacked in physical tools, he made up for in smart plays (granted mostly on the offensive side). He improved his shot considerably during his time (went from abysmal 3 point shooting to league best) with the raps and still holds one of the few league records for the raps (only missed three free throws in the 2009 season!!!).

He never outwardly complained about the various point guards that came in to replace him. He just went to work and did the best job that he could...

[The_Warlord]

Not my fave but Jalen Rose - Cap'n Crunch! He was really clutch during his time here.. and reps the t dot hard!

[KeonClark]

Like others have said, vince carter is the reason I'm obsessed with this team and sport to this day. Like so many millions of kids in the 90s gravitated to MJ. Vince was my michael jordan at the turn of the century. Ill never forget the slam dunk competition, I was 15 and watching on a small tv in the hospital waiting for an appendectomy. I was already a huge vince/raptors fan but that, and all the way to the game 7 sixers miss, had established an electric buzz around the team I will remember forever. long live vincanity and fuck the haters, he was such a smooth player..

[Mindlessness]

Reason I started to really follow basketball is because of Kyle Lowry.

[Cody73]

Adding another player to my list for sentimental reasonings:


Doug Christie is the only Raptor I've met in person.

[Mr.Z]

Mo Pete cause of all his ridiculous circus shots, he was a lefty, his durability and just being a good dude

[RepTdot]

Vinsanity is the reason I not only became a raptors fan but a basketball addict.

[The Great One]

Vince Carter. He's the reason i'm a Raptors fan.

GREATEST Raptor of all time. Future Hall of Famer. Can't wait to see #15 jersey retirement. It's going to happen.

[douby leave me]

Garbajosa during his short time here. Probably Amir next.

Same here:

1) Garbo
2) Amir
3) Mo Pete

When that team with Garbo, Jose, Parker and Bosh suddenly started winning it felt like the first drink of water after crossing a desert (that desert being the late-Vince and post-Vince era).