Predicting the Raptors ‘all-time’ team for NBA 2K18

Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. (CP/AP file)

The makers of NBA 2K18, the latest installment of the popular basketball video game franchise, recently announced the game will feature an “all-time” team for each NBA franchise, combining the best players of each team’s past and present.

This got us wondering what the Raptors 12-man roster will look like. Here’s a preview of how the Raptors “all time” team could look:

Starters:

PG: Kyle Lowry
Coming to Toronto eight years into his career, Lowry found his rhythm on a team that, at the time, was focusing on a rebuild. Instead, he proved instrumental in turning the franchise around and was arguably the Raps best player during most successful stretch the franchise has ever seen. In five years as Raptor, Lowry has been a three-time all star, became the franchise leader in three-pointers made (828), and owns what some consider the greatest shot in Raptors history.

Stats as a Raptor: 18.2 PPG, 6.8 APG, 1.6 SPG

SG: DeMar DeRozan
A single tweet can describe DeRozan’s time with the Raptors since they drafted him ninth overall in 2010.


The Raptors all-time leader in points (11,456), minutes (20,275) and games played (595), DeRozan is making his case as the greatest to ever put on a Raptors jersey. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the number 10 was one day hung in the rafters of the Air Canada Centre.

Stats:19.3 PPG, 2.8 APG, 4.7 RPG

SF: Vince Carter
Vince Carter was the man who put the Raptors on the map. The man known as “Air Canada” was the franchise’s original poster child, leading the team to their first playoff series win in 2001. Highlight dunks aside, Carter was the Raptors all-time leading scorer until Chris Bosh surpassed him.

Stats:23.4 PPG, 3.3 APG, 4.6 RPG

PF: Chris Bosh
The After Carter-Before DeRozan stretch was a dark time for the Raptors, but Bosh was the perennial silver-lining. A dominant rebounder who developed a strong outside shot, Bosh led the Raptors to back-to-back playoff appearances and their fist division title in 2007.

Stats: 20.2 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.2 BPG

C: Antonio Davis
Centre has always been a shaky position for the Raptors, but Davis leaps above the rest because of his physicality in the post. That showed in the 2002 playoffs, especially in Game 3 of the first round when he put up 30 points against the Pistons, going 14-19 from the floor. Davis had the best years of his 13-year career as a Raptor, including his lone all-star appearance in 2001.

Stats: 12.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG

Bench:

Alvin Williams
Who doesn’t remember his series-winning shot against the Knicks?

Damon Stoudamire
Stoudamire exploded early in his career. He earned Rookie of the Year honours in ’96, and was only 0.7 assists per game shy of averaging a double-double in his first year.

Tracy McGrady
His best years may have come after the his time in Toronto, but McGrady still put up decent numbers and showed his potential in his three seasons as a Raptor.

Morris Peterson
A key contributor as both a starter and sixth man, Peterson was a gifted shooter who helped keep the Raptors in the top 10 in three-point percentage for five of his seven years in Toronto.

Amir Johnson
Johnson, a fan favourite, was a solid rebounder and a tremendous athlete. Plus, this put-back gave the Raptors their first Atlantic title in nearly seven years.

Charles Oakley
The legendary enforcer was well-past his prime with the Raptors, but experienced career highs in assists (3.3) and blocks (0.5) per game.

Lou Williams
His time here was even shorter than McGrady’s, but he’s the only Raptor ever to win the Sixth Man of the Year award.

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