The Best Toronto Raptors team ever based on Draft Picks

Morris Peterson looks on

Sixth Man:

Morris Peterson was drafted, in 2000, just ahead of Tracy McGrady’s defection, that summer, from Toronto, in a sign and trade, with Orlando. Not the most athletic player, he worked hard defensively and was known for backdoor cuts for easy baskets and corner 3 pointers. Morris Peterson played during the Raptors second and third playoff runs in 2001 and 2002. He was also a Raptor through some lean years, like 2003-2007.

His greatest moment, in a Raptors uniform, came, in March, of 2007. Peterson was the recipient of a midcourt gift when Michael Ruffin, of the Washington Wizards, botched a midcourt attempt to run out the game clock. With time running out, in a 109-106 game led by the Wizard, the ball slipped from Ruffin’s hands Peterson took the ball and was able to toss and connect, on a mid-court three-pointer, tying the score at 109. The Raptors eventually won the game, which did affect playoff seeding.

Peterson was eventually allowed to sign as a free agent with New Orleans in the summer of 2007. Peterson is 3rd all-time on the Raptors minutes played list, 9th in rebounding, and second in games played at 542.

When looking back, at the Raptors history, Toronto actually performed above average in the Draft, especially in their early years. Some of those early draft picks include Damon Stoudemire, Marcus Camby, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter. Eight years after drafting Stoudemire, the Raptors then drafted Chris Bosh. It is a fantasy to imagine what the Raptors might have accomplished if some combination Stoudemire, McGrady, Camby, Carter, and Bosh could have played together. Drafting the right player is much easier than creating the scenario under which, that player will remain loyal. It seems the Raptors have found the right formula, in recent years.