Bosh averaged 8.9 boards during his second season.
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images
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When the 2004-05 season began: The coaching reins had been handed to Sam Mitchell from Kevin O’Neill after a 33-49 season. The GM duties had been given to Rob Babcock, and Vince Carter had his pouty face on for the entire offseason.
What happened? Sam Mitchell, the coach, became frustrated that he didn’t have a lockerroom full of guys like Sam Mitchell, the player. Sure a team of Mitchell’s wouldn’t have scored a ton, but they would have hustled, had each other’s backs and the locker room banter would have been legendary. But we digress.
Mitchell spent his first season as head coach clashing with point guard Rafer Alston, trying to motivate Carter, his disgruntled star, and trying to get some production from rookie center Rafael Araujo, who averaged only 3.3 points a contest. The end result was another 33-win campaign.
The fed-up Raptors finally filed divorce papers with Carter on Dec. 17, sending him to New Jersey. Carter’s increased production in every statistical category after the trade certainly indicates his mood may have affected his play and made him a detriment to the team’s growth. The 4-15 record in the 19 games immediately before the trade seems to back that up.
The Raps acquired two future No. 1 picks and three players, including Alonzo Mourning, who agreed to a buyout rather than report to Toronto.
Morris Peterson, Jalen Rose, Alston and imposing Chris Bosh provide a formidable foursome, but the lack of prowess at center and the team’s lack of depth (beyond sixth man Donyell Marshall) was evident.
What now? The Raptors will have picks No. 7 and No. 16 in the first round, the latter pick acquired in the Carter deal. Unfortunately, the Raptors find themselves where they were a year ago, in need of a center. Araujo and Loren Woods were never underlined on opposing scouting reports.
There are many other needs; Bosh is their only bona fide star. Marshall is an unrestricted free agent, Alston’s first year in Toronto was anything but smooth and Alvin Williams missed the entire season with a knee injury, so the backcourt and the wing could also use some attention.