SIMMONS: Toronto Raptors -- 29 names and memories from 29 seasons
Twenty-nine seasons of Raptors basketball, 29 names to remember. 1. Isiah Thomas was the first president and general manager of the Raptors — and probably the wisest and most conspiratorial basketball man Toronto has ever known. Thomas drafted Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby and Tracy McGrady in three short years. Between that, he tried to buy the team, tried to destroy the franchise. That kind of confusion became something of a Raptors theme in the early years of the franchise. 3. Kyle Lowry almost quit on himself, but that was before he met Masai Ujiri, who tried to trade Lowry in his early days of running the Raptors. Lowry had NBA talent, but needed an adjustment in attitude that was supplied partially by Ujiri. Once the adjustment was made, Lowry played his way to a key part of a championship team, a certain Hall of Fame career and the next player after Carter to get his jersey retired. 6. Andrea Bargnani was the only Raptor picked first overall in the NBA draft. Nothing was more Raptor than finishing last in a year in which there was no marquee player available. There was no Auston Matthews waiting for the Raps. 7. Masai Ujiri arrived in Toronto from the Denver Nuggets and promised a championship on the day he was introduced as general manager. And he delivered. Who does that? It took huge stones for Ujiri to deal the popular DeMar DeRozan to bring Kawhi to Toronto — especially not knowing if Leonard would ever report to play here. But he did, and made the largest shot in Raptors history, and Ujiri had his championship. It’s something we may never see again in this city. Ujiri is the impetus behind We The North and so many other causes that matter. At times it has been He The North with Ujiri. He is that strong and forthright a leader. 14. Pascal Siakam was a fascinating study during his time in Toronto. He wasn’t a star, then he was, then he wasn’t, then he was. It depended on the year, the moment, the circumstance. He loved the team and the city until it was time for divorce. Sometimes, even amicable relationships based on love can end badly. 22. Sam Mitchell coached the Raptors for five seasons, almost fought Vince Carter, argued and cajoled with media, had nicknames for many, and was genuinely a lot of fun to be around on a daily basis. He has since turned to television, where he works Raptors games and various U.S. outlets, employing snark and analysis, political and otherwise. In the top-heavy East, the Raptors find themselves among the conference cellar dwellers Darko Rajakovic's hands won't be as tied, but his task in Year 2 remains tough 23. If there was an all-time Raptors team, there would probably be a place for the power forward Antonio Davis. He was a complete NBA player who wasn’t as complete when it came to his lack of understanding of Canadian television and the Canadian schooling system. He was also married to Kendra, best known around here for leaving filthy voice mail messages on the answering machines of some media members.
