When you think about the Toronto Raptors, the first player that probably comes to mind is the franchise’s most iconic star of all time in Vince Carter. As far as point guards go, the team’s current playmaker Kyle Lowry is already deemed as the best ever to don a Raptors jersey.
The Raptors have been home to terrific guards and swingmen over the years, but there hasn’t been a lot of game-changers at the power forward position throughout their history.
Let’s rank the few special ones who played the four position for the defending champions.
4. Antonio Davis
At the height of Vince Carter’s success with the Raptors in the early 2000s, Antonio Davis was his second-in-command. The 6-foot-9 bruiser was as strong as an ox back in the day and was practically a walking double-double for the team.
His best season as a pro came in 2001-02 when he was good for 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Davis also made his first and only All-Star team that same year. Davis’ game was far from flashy, as he simply willed his team to victory through sheer hard work and determination.
He was a big part of the Raptors’ most successful playoff run at the time, helping them edge the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, before losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in 7 games in the semis.
3. Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam is undoubtedly the Raptors’ best player this season and he will have a shot at being the best power forward in franchise history once it’s all said and done.
This year, the 26-year-old Cameroonian received his first of probably many All-Star citations after leading Toronto to a 48-16 slate (2nd in The East) prior to the suspension of the season.
The 6-foot-9 forward is a terror on both ends of the floor, blending his athleticism with slick ball-handling and on-point decision making.
Spicy P’s ascent to stardom has allowed Toronto to not miss a beat, even when superstar Kawhi Leonard left Canada over the summer to join the Los Angeles Clippers.
In just four years, Siakam is already an NBA champion and Most Improved Player winner. He will be the Raptors’ cornerstone for years to come after signing a four-year, $130 million extension last year.
2. Serge Ibaka
Siakam’s frontcourt mate Serge Ibaka doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves for his contributions for Canada. Known more as a defensive linchpin during his early years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 30-year-old Congolese-Spanish has evolved into a complete modern-day bigman.
Ibaka’s impact on both ends of the floor was crucial in the Raptors’ title conquest against the Golden State Warriors in last year’s Finals. This year, the seven-foot slotman is having a career-year shooting the ball, draining 51.8 percent of his field goals and enjoying a 39.8 percent clip from distance.
Some pundits questioned why the Raps chose to give him a three-year, $65 million contract extension in 2017 and he is proving that he deserves every penny (and more) this season.
1. Chris Bosh
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan may have overtaken him as the franchise’s all-time greats, but Chris Bosh is still the best power forward to suit up in the Great White North.
Before accepting a lesser role with the Miami Heat in 2010, Bosh was the main-man in Toronto for seven seasons. After being picked 4th overall in the legendary 2003 Draft, Bosh brought Toronto back to relevance and powered their consecutive playoff runs at the time.
The 6-foot-11 lefty overcame early critics that bashed his small frame and lack of strength. Bosh became one of the league’s most coveted stretch four — capable of operating in the post and stretching the D with his outside shooting.
Although he did leave Toronto for greener pastures, Bosh remains as the franchise’s leading rebounder (4,776) and shot blocker (600). He is also the Raptors second all-time leading scorer (10,275) behind DeRozan.
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