Top 5 Raptors Players of All Time

The Toronto Raptors have been home to some of the greatest players in NBA history. From Vince Carter to Chris Bosh to Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors have had no shortage of superstars suit up for Canada's only NBA team. But who is the greatest Raptor of all time? While Leonard may have led the team to their first-ever NBA championship in 2019, the answer is clear: Kyle Lowry is the greatest Raptor of all time.

The Case for Kyle Lowry

Lowry has been with the Raptors for nine seasons, and in that time he has established himself as one of the best point guards in the league. A five-time All-Star, Lowry is the franchise leader in assists and three-pointers made, and he is second in points scored. He is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist, having represented Team USA in 2016 and 2020. Lowry is one of the most accomplished players in the Raptors' history.

But what separates Lowry from other great Raptors is his leadership. During his time with the team, Lowry has been a vocal leader both on and off the court. He was instrumental in helping Leonard adjust to life in Toronto when he was traded there in 2018, and he was always quick to credit his teammates for their success on the court. In 2019, when Leonard was named Finals MVP after leading the Raptors to victory over the Golden State Warriors, Lowry was one of the first people to congratulate him. That's the kind of leader Lowry is: always putting his teammates first and willing to sacrifice individual accolades for team success.

The Case for Kawhi Leonard

Of course, no discussion of the greatest Raptor of all time would be complete without mention of Kawhi Leonard. After being traded to Toronto from San Antonio in 2018, Leonard had one of the best seasons in franchise history, averaging 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while leading the Raptors to their first ever NBA championship. He was named Finals MVP after averaging 28.5 points per game in Toronto's seven-game series victory over Golden State, cementing his place among the all-time greats of the Raptors and the entire NBA.

So why isn't Leonard the greatest Raptor of all time? The answer is simple: he only played one season for Toronto before being traded to Los Angeles for nothing more than cap space. To be considered the greatest player in franchise history, you need to have played for Toronto for more than just one season (sorry Vince Carter). For that reason alone, Leonard falls just short of being considered the greatest Raptor ever.

The Case for DeMar DeRozan - You will always be loved. 

DeMar DeRozan spent nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors, becoming not just one of the best players in franchise history but also one of Canada's biggest basketball stars. A four-time All-Star, DeRozan holds multiple franchise records including points scored (13,296), games played (675), and minutes played (22,986). He also helped lead Toronto to five playoff appearances during his tenure with the team, including a trip to Conference Finals in 2016 where they narrowly lost to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Like Leonard, DeRozan also has his fair share of detractors who will argue that he isn't worthy of being considered among Toronto's all-time greats due solely to his lack of postseason success with the team (the Raptors never made it past Round 2 during his time with them). But make no mistake about it: for nine seasons, DeMar DeRozan was THE Toronto Raptor - or better yet, THE Canadian basketball landscape period. In a country that has historically struggled to produce top-level talent at an international level - especially compared to our neighbours south of us - DeRozan changed that by becoming one of Canada's first true basketball stars. For that reason alone he deserves consideration as perhaps Toronto's greatest player ever.

Vince Carter is our Jordan.

Vince Carter is a basketball royalty. He was drafted fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1998 but was quickly traded to the Raptors, where he would go on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career. Carter quickly became a fan favourite in Toronto, wowing crowds with his incredible dunks and high-flying acrobatics. He was instrumental in bringing the game of basketball to new heights in Canada, and his mixtapes on YouTube are still worshipped by young ballers today. Carter was must-see TV for a generation of young hoops fans, many of whom are now playing in the NBA themselves. There's no doubt that Vince Carter is the greatest player in Raptors history, and one of the greatest players of his generation.

Chris Bosh is a flawed player.

Chris Bosh was one of the best players in the NBA for many years, but he is often forgotten now that he is no longer with the Miami Heat. Bosh was drafted fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2003 and quickly became one of their best players. He was named to the All-Star team five times in his seven seasons with the Raptors, averaging 19 points and nine rebounds per game. Bosh established himself as one of the premier big men in the league, and he helped lead Toronto to its first division title in 2006. However, Bosh ultimately decided to join forces with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami, winning two championships with the Heat. Though his time in Miami was successful, Bosh will always be remembered as one of the best players from his era in Toronto.

If you've followed the Miami Heat for a while, you've heard the complaints about Chris Bosh. Yes, the three-point shooting forward has a few flaws, but he makes up for it with his scoring ability. For example, during the 2013-14 season, Bosh made more three-pointers than any other time in his career, and he continued to make critical shots during the playoffs.

Bosh was never a traditional big defender, but he was elite in space, and that's why his defense was so good in the NBA. He could blow up pick-and-rolls, recover to his man, and be a major piece of Miami's defense. However, he had trouble playing the traditional role of a big man when he was in Toronto.

Fred VanVleet is a success story

Fred VanVleet, a point guard for the Toronto Raptors, is one of the most successful athletes in the NBA. The biracial guard has an African American father and a white mother. In the past, he noticed very few people of colour in sports, business, and other opportunities. Therefore, he decided to make it a point to work with diverse companies.

Fred VanVleet has been a critical part of the Toronto Raptors' winning streak. Before joining the Raptors, he was passed over by nearly every college basketball team and NBA team. Yet, he remained committed to his dream, persevering through toughness and hard work. This toughness and work ethic were passed down to him from his stepfather.