Toronto Raptors info

There are three great reasons to buy NBA tickets to see the Toronto Raptors play in 2005. Chris Bosh, Chris Bosh, and, last but not least, Chris Bosh. Yes, a ticket to see the Raptors in action this year is a chance to watch the development of one of the league’s premier young stars. Toronto is building for the future, having finally parted ways with Vince “Air Canada” Carter, who is now “Air New Jersey.” Good riddance, say Raptors ticket holders, who in recent years have become accustomed to Carter missing just enough games to leave them on the outside looking in on the NBA Playoffs.

The new-look Raptors are built to last. Bosh just turned 21, and he has learned early that the team comes first due to the grooming of veterans like Jalen Rose, Mike James, and Morris Peterson. Bosh has been able to take the leadership role for a team of young raw college standouts including Loren Woods, as well as rookies Joey Graham and Charlie Villanueva.

The Raptors do not exactly have a proud history. What do you expect when you have the lamest mascot this side of the Mighty Ducks? The Raptors came along during the Jurassic Park craze, and they are doomed to forever suffer under a short-sighted team name forever more.

Fortunately Carter was able to make Raptors ticket holders forget about any shortcomings in the teams marketing department from the moment he arrived in Toronto. Carter’s dunks became the stuff of NBA legend, as he was able to do things in games that players dared not attempt in slam dunk contests. Carter could and would dunk on anyone. His acrobatic style of play earned him the title of “The Next Jordan,” though this comparison did not bear out. While Carter was not Jordan’s equal as a player, Jordan could not have dreamt of some of the dunks executed by Carter in games.

Carter’s high-flying act finally came crashing down in 2001, when Carter had his first knee injury. He was injured on and off from that point to when he was traded in 2005 to the New Jersey Nets.

Now the Toronto Raptors find themselves ready to build a solid team for the future. They have put the franchise of the shoulders of Bosh, and he looks to be up to the challenge. Bosh is a rare talent that seems to be able to do anything on the basketball court. His outside shooting, slashing, and post game make him one of the most polished offensive big men in the game. Given the opportunity, he has the potential to restore the Raptors, and make the Air Canada Center’s tickets some of the hottest in the NBA.