Is Kyle Lowry really the greatest Raptor of all time?
When it comes to impact on the game of basketball I'd go with Vince.
When it comes to putting the franchise on the map I'd go with either Vince, Bosh, or Kawhi over him.
I understand he wasn't traded like Derozen was but like... idk.
When I think of the Raptors I still think of Air Canada and Vince Carter. Hell The Ringer brought up recently there was a year Vince lead the league in all-star votes, in a league with Michael Jordan still playing and he was all Raptors during that time.
I think Vince was the closest maybe to winning a regular season MVP for them (admittedly that would have been media hype but see Dirk and Nash's MVPs to see how that is often enough to win it) and Kawhi is the one who won the Finals MVP.
Idk, I just don't think it's clear cut. And I get that Vince left later in not the best of ways but man, as time goes on his impact on the game of basketball as a Raptor was so great not just in Canada but all over the world. That was probably the only time the Raptors were unanimous must see TV in the same way maybe the 72 win Warriors were. Not every year there is a must watch team in the league, and Carter's Raptors were for multiple seasons in a row.
Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
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Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
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Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
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Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
HeartBreakKid wrote:I mean if Kemba Walker was on that team wouldn't he be a major reason why also?BBallG wrote:Raptors have basically been a 50 win team since Lowry joined and he's the major reason why. He isn't flashy, but dude does many things to simply win.
I love Kemba, but until he proves himself the results speak for themselves.
The Raptors have always been a good regular season team and it's probably because they have had incredible depth for many years. Depth = good RS record. Not to say that Lowry isn't incredible in the regular season, but a lot of all-star players could get 50 wins on the Raptors (not DeMar though cause he cheeks and was carried).
I really think Lowry vs Kemba is not that interesting of a debate, outside of Celtics homers it should be obvious that Lowry is better. But bringing up team based accolades really makes no sense - the Hornets are arguably the worst ran franchise in the NBA....of all time no less.
That is a huge deal, even if Kareem Abdul Jabar was on the Hornets there would be seasons where they wouldn't make the playoffs - to put things in perspective. GM's are the most impactful reason for why teams do well in the regular season, not all-star players (bar some exceptions from players far above the level of either Lowry or Walker).
You can’t just say “wouldn’t [insert player] be a major reason also” because the answer is simply no.
The raptors have had good depth, but Lowry has been a primary reason they’ve been so good.
We made an ECF starting Lowry/Demar/Carroll/Scola/Val with no real bench punch outside T-Ross. Lowry/Kawhi/ and now Siakam have been the only real all star players (Demar simply wasn’t), and the raptors have still managed to win 50+ games for years. Lowry is a big reason why. There’s nothing to suggest Kemba would have that same success because he doesn’t bring the same things to the table.
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Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
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Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
celticfan42487 wrote:Is Kyle Lowry really the greatest Raptor of all time?
When it comes to impact on the game of basketball I'd go with Vince.
When it comes to putting the franchise on the map I'd go with either Vince, Bosh, or Kawhi over him.
I understand he wasn't traded like Derozen was but like... idk.
When I think of the Raptors I still think of Air Canada and Vince Carter. Hell The Ringer brought up recently there was a year Vince lead the league in all-star votes, in a league with Michael Jordan still playing and he was all Raptors during that time.
I think Vince was the closest maybe to winning a regular season MVP for them (admittedly that would have been media hype but see Dirk and Nash's MVPs to see how that is often enough to win it) and Kawhi is the one who won the Finals MVP.
Idk, I just don't think it's clear cut. And I get that Vince left later in not the best of ways but man, as time goes on his impact on the game of basketball as a Raptor was so great not just in Canada but all over the world. That was probably the only time the Raptors were unanimous must see TV in the same way maybe the 72 win Warriors were. Not every year there is a must watch team in the league, and Carter's Raptors were for multiple seasons in a row.
Lowry > VC and it’s not even close. Replace VC with a same impact guy who doesn’t dunk and you’re not watching the early 2000’s Raptors.
- Raptors RealGM Forum re: Masai Ujiri - June 2023What an absolute failure and disaster this franchise is, ran by one of the most incompetent front offices in the league.
Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
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Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
jaybiddyforeal wrote:Spoiler:
Preach!
Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
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Re: Kemba Walker or Kyle Lowry
Lowry. Kemba may be the more skilled, talented offensive player but Lowry is no slouch there either. If you were talking offense only I can see a valid argument for Kemba I suppose in a one-on-one scenario but if you're talking true point guard play on offense I'd still take Lowry. Now you add that Lowry is the superior defensive player, the guy with the better motor, the guy with better leadership skills and it's not even close.
It's actually amazing how much Lowry has grown since joining the Raptors. The fact that he can arguably be called the GOAT Raptor is remarkable considering early in his Raptors days he was doubted by both management and fans and all these years later he was one of the top 3 guys on the team to lead them to their very first championship.
It's actually amazing how much Lowry has grown since joining the Raptors. The fact that he can arguably be called the GOAT Raptor is remarkable considering early in his Raptors days he was doubted by both management and fans and all these years later he was one of the top 3 guys on the team to lead them to their very first championship.