The Remaking of the Raptors
Canada's NBA basketball team doing just fine without Vince Carter
The early years
For several years after their entry into the NBA in 1995 the Toronto Raptors struggled to create an identity for themselves. As a result, they also struggled to win. All of that changed on draft day in 1998 when they selected Vince Carter. Carter, along with other notable acquisitions, began to turn around the franchise. His hugely entertaining victory in the 2000 All Star game's slam dunk contest drew much attention to the team. The Raptors would also win a franchise-best 45 games that season and make their first-ever playoff appearance. Although they would exit the playoffs in the first round this was an important achievement for the franchise. They would make the playoffs the next two years, winning their first-ever series in 2001 before losing a hotly-contested 7-game series to the Philadelphia 76ers. Toronto's basketball team was making significant progress. But suddenly all of that changed.
The downfall begins
During the 2002-2003 season, the Raptors suffered through injuries - Carter included - and finished the season with a 24-58 record. This allowed the team to select Chris Bosh with the 4th pick in 2003 draft. Bosh played well and was selected to the All Rookie team but, again, the team suffered injuries and finished 2003-2004 with a 33-49 record. This led to the firing of head coach Kevin O'Neill and general manager Glen Grunwald. O'Neill was replaced by Milwaukee Bucks' assistant coach Sam Mitchell and Rob Babcock became the new Raptors GM.
During the 2004 off-season Carter made it public that he no longer wanted to play for Toronto. His play had declined in the preceding years and it was evident that he wanted out of the organization. On December 17, 2004 Babcock traded Carter to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, and two future first-round draft picks. Toronto reportedly bought out Mourning's contract for $10 million and Eric and Aaron Williams added little to the Raptors. The team would finish with a 33-49 record for the second straight season and miss the playoffs for the third straight.
Life without Carter
With Carter's departure the door was now open for Bosh to emerge as the Raptors' franchise player. Bosh ended the 2004-2005 season averaging 18.4 points and 9.5 rebounds and had improved in every statistical category. The next season Bosh emerged as the centre piece of the Raptors and was complemented well by 2005 draft selection Charlie Villanueva. Jose Calderon was introduced as Toronto's back-up point guard and, along with Villanueva, had an impressive rookie season. But Toronto still struggled to win and, on January 26th, 2006, Babcock was fired. One month later the Raptors named 2004 NBA Executive of the Year Bryan Colangelo their new President and GM.
Colangelo: master architect
Colangelo had been largely responsible for building the Phoenix Suns into an exciting and successful NBA team. Now he had the job of molding the Raptors. His first significant move involved trading Villanueva to the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard T.J. Ford. Villanueva had tremendous success with the Raptors but Colangelo knew Toronto needed a true point guard. His next move was drafting Italy's Andrea Bargani first overall in the 2006 draft. He also signed free agents Jorge Garbajosa and Anthony Parker from European teams. In addition, Bosh was given a three-year extension and Maurizio Gherardini of Benetton Treviso - Garbajosa's old team - was appointed as vice-president and assistant general manager. The Raptors were improving and becoming a team of international flavor in a city that boasts one of the world's most culturally-diverse populations.
The Raptors experienced a monumental turnaround with the 2006-2007 season: Bosh was selected as an Eastern Conference starter in the All Star game; Garbajosa and Bargani were both named to the All Rookie team; Mitchell won NBA Coach of the Year honors; Colangelo was named Executive of the Year; and, the Raptors won the Atlantic Division with a 47-35 record. However, they were eliminated in the first round by Carter's Nets.
Raptors expecting solid future
Despite losing in the first round to the Nets the Toronto Raptors are becoming a legitimate contender in the league. Since Colangelo's arrival the team has continued to alter its roster through a number of trades and free agent signings. They traded for Juan Dixon during the 2007 season and added three-point threat Jason Kapono from the Miami Heat in the off-season. In continuing with their international roster overhaul they also added former Detroit Piston and Argentinian Carlos Delfino and traded for draft pick Giorgos Printezis of Greece. Colangelo realizes the benefit of having an internationally diverse roster in Toronto in terms of fan interest but he has also been able to create a winning organization with enormous potential. Carter may have been able to beat his former team last year but may not want to play the Raptors once Colangelo's job has been completed.
Click here to read my article "Raptors Have International Flavor"
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