By RaptorTalk


The decade with no name (the 00’s maybe) is now in the history books. I thought it would be a good idea to look back at the best and the worst that the Toronto Raptors had to offer over the last ten years.

        

Best Raptors Team of the Decade
The 2000-2001 Raptors- This squad beat the New York Knicks at MSG and came within a shot of defeating the 76ers in the second round. Loaded with talent and chemistry, if not for the VC Graduation Ceremony fiasco – this team would have gone deeper in the playoffs.

Raptor Player of the Decade
Vince Carter – There was a time when most Raptor fans wouldn’t trade Air Canada straight up for Kobe Bryant because VC was so gifted. No doubt in my mind that Vince Carter was Toronto’s MVP of the past decade. Bosh is a close second and will surpass Vince overtime, but the nod goes to Air Canada. Carter brought more excitement to the ACC than any other Raptor this decade.

Game of the Decade
Game Five/Raptors vs. Knicks 2001– Alvin Williams picks up Vince Carter’s fumble and calmly nails a 20 foot jumper to lead the Raptors to their only playoff series win.

All-Raptors Team of the Decade
PG- Alvin Williams: Boogie was everything you wanted in a player. He was tough, determined and had ice water in his veins when a big play was needed.

SG – Vince Carter: Air Canada electrified Raptor fans and put Toronto on the NBA map. When he was at the top of his game, he was one of the best.

SF – Morris Peterson: The master of the wild shot, Mo Pete was a solid contributor who played both sides of the ball. Unlike T-Mac who left in 2000, Mo Pete loved Toronto.

PF – Chris Bosh: CB4 has become an elite player who, to his credit, gets better each year.

C- Andrea Bargnani: At a position that has arguably been the Raptors’ weakest link, Il Mago has played as well as anyone when he was given the chance and he continues to improve every season. Antonio Davis had his moments, but in my opinion, his openness about not wanting to be here in Canada negated much of what he contributed on the floor.

Coach of the Decade
Sam Mitchell: Despite his shortcomings in the X’s and O’s, Sam was a master motivator who got a moderately talented group of players to over-achieve and play team basketball.

Executive of the Decade
Glen Grunwald: He built some of the best teams in Raptors history. If he could have persuaded T-Mac to stay, Glen would still be the GM today.

Fan Favourite of the Decade
Matt Bonner: The Red Rocket loved Toronto and Toronto fans loved him. He was an intelligent, blue collar kind of guy whose personality and work ethic clicked with the fans. What’s not to like about a guy who went so far as to become a Canadian citizen after he was traded!

Game Changer of the Decade
Tracy McGrady: T-Mac’s departure had a profound effect on the future of the franchise. If McGrady had stayed, he and Vince  Carter would have been the cornerstones of a franchise that most certainly would have found itself in the NBA finals at some point during the decade.

Disappointment of the Decade
Vince Carter: Who knew that his incredible talent was not matched by the same level of heart and desire? VC had the raw skill to be a dominant player in the NBA. While he was extraordinary at times, he lacked the killer instinct that all great players have.

Draft Pick of the Decade
2003 Chris Bosh: Selecting Bosh with the 4th pick overall definitely had a huge impact on the franchise.

Best Trade of the Decade
Chris Childs and a 1st Rounder for Mark Jackson and Muggsy Bogues: This deadline deal in 2001, energized a mediocre club and catapulted them into the playoffs. Childs added defensiveness grit, while the move of Jackson allowed Alvin Williams to become a starter.

Worst Trade of the Decade
Vince Carter for Nobody: Proved to be one of the worst trades of all time. Ouch.

Surprise of the Decade
The 2006-2007 Raptors: No one expected this edition of the Toronto Raptors to breakout and win the Atlantic Division crown. Watching this team go on a sustained run after Christmas was amazing.

Bust of the Decade
Rafael Araujo: Rob Babcock’s dim-witted selection of the Brazilian big man was a huge mistake. Imagine how different things might have been if Andre Igoudala was wearing a Raptors uniform instead?

Dumbest Move of the Decade
Hakeem Olajuwon: The acquisition of an over-the-hill Hakeem for a couple of draft picks was made even worse when Toronto inked him to a ridiculous 3 year/ $15 million deal.


Embarrassment of the Decade
Kobe Bryant: 81 points. Nothing else to say.

ACC Event of the Decade
Raptors vs 76ers Playoffs: The ACC was absolutely electric as Vince Carter and Allen Iverson took turns dropping 50's. The decisive Game 6 Raptors victory ranks as the greatest game at the ACC.


Fun to Watch Event of the Decade
Donyell Marshall's Threes: Donyell tied Kobe Bryant's NBA single game mark with 12 made three balls on a 2005 Sunday afternoon vs. Philly at the ACC. It was a remarkable event to witness live - albeit totally unexpected. I've never seen a shooter seem to be so automatic (he shot 12 for 19 from behind the line).


Funniest Moment of the Decade:
Darrick Martin's Three Ball: With the Raptors three ball streak apparently ending, Darrick Martin hit an improbable buzzer beating three ball to keep the streak alive.


Broadcaster of the Decade
Chuck Swirsky: No one got fans interested in Raptor ball like the Swirsk. Was he an over-the-top homer? Yes. But he was exactly what the franchise needed.

Beat Writer of the Decade
Doug Smith: The Star’s #1 grunt has delivered more Raptors info to news-starved fans than any other local scribe over the past decade. His daily blog is a must read for serious Raptor fans.

Raptors TV Program of the Decade:
Full Court Press: Back in the day, Norma Wick hosted a weekly hour of impromptu Raptor talk with the likes of Jack Armstrong, Doug Smith, Michael Grange, Bruce Arthur, Eric Smith and other media types who followed the team. Production values were low, but the entertainment and news value was always high.

Well, let's consider this a rap for another decade!