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The news that Bobby Ryan is undergoing season-ending surgery did not come as a complete surprise. Earlier this week, head coach Paul MacLean confirmed that Ryan had been dealing with a nagging injury since November – our first tangible clue that the winger has not been 100 per cent healthy all season. But for the past few weeks, the whispers had been growing louder and louder that Ryan was playing hurt. When the club returned to practice after the Olympic break, the winger took a couple of maintenance days that raised a few eyebrows. Now that the club has confirmed he was playing for the past four months with a sports hernia injury, it forces us to reassess our opinion of Ryans first season in Ottawa. In a strange twist, every player involved in the massive Ducks-Senators trade from last summer suffered a significant injury this season. Jakob Silfverberg had a broken hand, Stefan Noesen tore the ACL in his knee and now Ryan is done with the sports hernia injury. (The Ducks may want to order some bubble wrap to protect their first round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft that they will receive from Ottawa). When he was famously left off the Team USA roster for the Olympics, many suggested that Ryan was crushed by the bad news and went into a prolonged slump. He scored just two goals in 12 games in the month of January and looked like a shadow of himself at times. Certainly, the Team USA snub hurt him on a personal level, but its rather obvious that the physical pain of a sports hernia injury was the bigger factor for his declining numbers. Ryans limited ice time was also a source of controversy in this market, as fans and media openly questioned MacLeans deployment of his No. 1 sniper. He was taken off a unit with Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur and was given third-line minutes instead. When the Sens were swept in Alberta earlier this month, Ryan played fewer than 15 minutes on each night – causing some to wonder aloud if there was a rift between star player and coach. In reality, the reduced ice time was likely the result of his nagging injury. In a statement to the media on Thursday, general manager Bryan Murray indicated that Ryan tried to play through the injury and doesnt appear to be concerned about how he was used by MacLean. "I know there were some times in games that he felt like he couldnt contribute very much but he stayed on the ice as required by the coaching staff and tried very hard to be a big factor for our team," Murray said. "I think he was and obviously we like that kind of person and want to treat him right in return." If you look at Ryans on-ice production from this season (time on ice to produce a point), you can see a significant drop-off once the calendar flipped to December: Month Time on ice/point October 20:32 November 16:17 December 24:42 January 33:10 February 46:40 March 41:47 Ryans struggles were a red flag for many Ottawa fans, who were concerned about his lack of productivity and compete level down the stretch. With a contract set to expire at the end of next season, there were more than a few fans who were suggesting it was time to move on from the 26-year-old winger. But now that we have a clear picture of Ryans health, its a little more accurate to say that his first season was not a complete disaster. The fact that he led this team in goal-scoring with 23 despite the injury is fairly impressive. Considering the recovery time from this injury is about six weeks, GM Bryan Murray says there is every reason to believe that Ryan will come into training camp next season ready to return to his 30-goal form. "Well, he certainly started very, very well. He shoots the puck awfully well, he scored some goals, his line obviously carried the team early on. He was a big part of that," Murray said. "I think after the hernia started to get aggravated a little bit, he seemed to shoot the puck a bit less. Overall, very happy and satisfied with his overall play and we know hell be a real contributor going forward." That last comment from the general manager seems like the one that carries the most weight moving into this summer. Nobody is certain if the Sens will lock up Ryan with a long-term extension in the coming months, but one thing is clear: this organization hasnt soured on him after a disappointing season in which he played hurt. 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The All-Raptors Team The Toronto Raptors are, without question, Canadas NBA team and as their 20th season approaches, we thought that it would be interesting to put together the all-time best Raptors team or the All-Raptors Team. The teams entrants are based mostly on statistical achievements and league honours, but can also factor in that players impact on the team. Despite having not won an NBA Championship or frankly come close, hopes are high for this years Raptors team as they enter into the NBA Playoffs with the most wins in regular season franchise history, the third seed in the Eastern Conference and their second Atlantic Division championship. All-Raptors First Team Centre: Antonio Davis – 42.6 FG%, 77.0 FT%, 12.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 1x NBA All-Star appearance (2001) An easy choice as Davis is the only centre in the history of the franchise to earn an NBA All-Star berth. Davis was the defensive anchor of the Raptors when they earned three straight NBA Playoffs berths and in the most successful incarnation of the team which made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Here are highlights from the only NBA All-Star Game that featured two starters from the Raptors: Power Forward: Chris Bosh – 49.2 FG%, 79.6 FT%, 20.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 5x NBA All-Star, 03-04 NBA All-Rookie First Team, 06-07 NBA All-League 2nd Team Back when he was known as CB4, Bosh was the future star of the Raptors. Compared to Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett when he entered the storied 2003 NBA Draft, he fell into the Raptors lap when they selected fourth and has had a fantastic career since. Despite his decision to leave the Raptors for the Miami Heat, he had a great run in Toronto, leading the team to two NBA Playoffs berths and earning five All-Star appearances in seven seasons. One of which he earned using this clever video: Small Forward: Vince Carter – 44.6 FG%, 78.3 FT%, 23.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.9 apg, 5x NBA All-Star, 98-99 NBA Rookie of the Year, 98-99 NBA All-Rookie Team, 99-00 NBA All-League 3rd Team, 00-01 NBA All-League 2nd Team The only other Raptors player to earn more than a single All-Star Game berth while with the team is Vince Carter, AKA Vinsanity, AKA Air Canada, AKA Half Man Half Amazing. Carter deserves credit for putting the Raptors on the map as the leagues most exciting player. The Raptors started appearing in nationally-televised games in the U.S. and he was the face of Nike for a time. That time came to an end when he stopped dunking the ball in protest and demanded a trade. The Raptors obliged by trading Carter to the New Jersey Nets in the most lopsided trade in franchise history. Here is TNTs John Thompson interviewing Vince Carter after being traded and the Inside the NBA panel weighing in on it: Shooting Guard: DeMar DeRozan – 44.7 FG%, 81.5 FT%, 16.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1x NBA All-Star DeRozan earned his first NBA All-Star berth this past season and played a huge role in the most successful Raptors regular season of all-time. The improvement of DeRozan over the years has been pronounced and he will be a major player in the teams future outlook. DeRozan is the first All-Star in the post-Bosh era of the Raptors. Here is “Chocolate Thunder” Darryl Dawkins giving DeMar DeRozan instruction in preparation for the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. Point Guard: Jose Calderon – 48.1 FG%, 87.7 FT%, 10.0 ppg, 7.2 apg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 spg During his time with the Raptors and beyond, Calderon has been one of the most efficient offensive point guards in the NBA. Calderon has shone with his high shooting percentages, his near-automatic free throw shooting and his incredibly low assist-to-turnover ratio. Because of these attributes, he was narrowly selected for the All-Raptors First Team. Heres Calderon talking smack to Kevin Garnett: All-Raptors Second Team C: Marcus Camby – 44.8 FG%, 65.4 FT%, 15.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.3 bpg, 1.2 spg, 96-97 NBA All-Rookie Team Marcus Camby played two seasons with the Raptors after being drafted second overall in the 1996 NBA Draft. The Raptors actually won the draft lottery, landing them the top pick in a draft with Allen Iverson at the top, but had to move down a spot due to their expansion agreement with the league (in hindsight, one of the worst moments in franchise history). Cambys two seasons showed off his incredible defensive prowess, which would ultimately lead him to winning the NBAs Defensive Player of the Year Award as a member of the Denver Nuggets in 2006-07. Camby was traded to the New York Knicks after the 97-98 season in exchange for Charles Oakley, who would provide the Raptors with veteran leadership after drafting Vince Carter. Eventually, Camby was traded back to the Raptors as part of the Andrea Bargnani trade before this season, but he asked for his release so that he could go to a contender. Thanks for the vote of confidence Marcus. Hows that four-seed treating ya? Here is a young Marcus Camby talking about overcoming adversity for the Raptors: PF: Amir Johnson – 57.2 FG%, 70.3 FT%, 8.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.1 bpg When “The Junkyard Dog” Jerome Williams left the Raptors, they lost a player who has embraced the city of Toronto and been an advocate for it. Amir Johnson has filled those shoes. Johnson has been a great defensive presence and efficient offensive player who has improved dramatically each season since being acquired from the Bucks in a deal that brought him and Sonny Weems to Torontofor Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic. Johnson also has an interesting piece of trivia attached to him, being the last high school player to be selected in an NBA Draft. Heres Amir Johnson at his first Leafs game: SF: Jalen Rose – 43.1 FG%, 82.2 FT%, 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 0.7 spg The point-forward position was made popular last decade by players like Rose, Lamar Odom and Antoine Walker. Rose was brought in via trade for Antonio Davis after Davis complained about his children having tto learn French in public school.dddddddddddd The expectation was that Rose would be able to find openings for Vince Carter and he did for a season until Carter was shipped off. Rose, ironically, was traded along with a first round pick in exchange for Antonio Davis expiring contract. Davis would start eight more games with the Raptors at age 37 and then retire. Heres Rose giving his account of the legendary behind-the-scenes altercation between now-TSN NBA analyst Sam Mitchell and Vince Carter. SG: Doug Christie – 41.4 FG%, 81.7 FT%, 14.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.1 spg During his tenure in Toronto, Christie was known more for the relationship he had with his possessive wife Jackie than his defensive prowess. Christie was a jack-of-all-trades, but was primarily lauded for his ability to steal the ball and get the offence moving in transition. Christie went on to play an instrumental role on the Sacramento Kings during their years of title contention after the Raptors traded him there for Corliss Williamson. Heres Christie and Reggie Slater in a Toronto Maple Leafs Nike commercial: PG: Damon Stoudamire – 41.5 FG%, 82.0 FT%, 19.6 ppg, 8.8 apg, 4.1 rpg, 1.1 spg, 95-96 NBA Rookie of the Year, 95-96 NBA All-Rookie First Team “Mighty Mouse” was the original face of the Raptors and won the Rookie of the Year Award after the Raptors inaugural season despite getting booed by fans at the 1995 NBA Draft, which took place in Toronto. Raptors fans wanted the team to draft Ed OBannon. Stoudamire was a great floor general with a pass-first mentality, but also with great offensive prowess. Here is Stoudamires classic Nike commercial: All-Raptors Third Team C: Keon Clark – 50.0 FG%, 64.5 FT%, 15.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 2.1 bpg Clark was a really good player with a very sad story. Clark was an alcoholic and in a court hearing admitted to drinking a half-pint to full-pint of gin per day throughout his entire career. Despite his alcoholism, Clark was a tremendous talent, who was very efficient offensively and possessed great defensive prowess, especially when it came to shot blocking due to his incredible length. Clark retired young and told The Toronto Stars Dave Feschuk, "Anybody could use a guy like me when it comes down to basketball. I do know how to play it. But I dont know how to play those other games that go along with the NBA. Im non-conformist." Clark is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence in Vermilion County jail after pleading guilty to both a weapons charge and a drinking under the influence charge. Here is Marv Albert calling Clarks monster dunk on 76” Shawn Bradley: PF: Donyell Marshall – 45.7 FG%, 75.9 FT%, 13.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.1 bpg This was likely the toughest spot to fill as Marshall gets the nod over Andrea Bargnani, Jerome Williams and Charles Oakley for the final power forward spot on the All-Raptors Team. Why Marshall? Simply put, he was the consummate role player who did everything well. He had tremendous range for a big man, was a plus rebounder and defender. Marshall had one of the best statistical seasons for a Raptors player, averaging 16.2 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.2 spg and 1.6 bpg, while shooting 46.7 FG%, 40.3 3P% and 74.1 FT%. Here is Marshall sinking 12 three-pointers in a single game, an NBA record that he shares with Kobe Bryant to this day: SF: Tracy McGrady – 44.8 FG%, 71.2 FT%, 11.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.4 bpg Another event in Raptors franchise history that can be filed under “one of the worst things to happen” was Tracy McGrady leaving the Raptors in free agency for the Orlando Magic. McGrady was coming off of a 15.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg career year as a 20-year-old before the days of restricted free agency and bolted for warmer pastures. McGrady would go on to win the Most Improved Player award, make seven all-star appearances, finish top-five in Most Valuable Player voting twice, make two All-NBA First Team appearances and average over 30 points-per-game in a season. His versatility was amazing and he was considered a top-10 player for nearly a decade after leaving the Raptors. Had he stayed in Toronto with his cousin Vince Carter, who knows if there would have been a championship banner or at least an Eastern Conference championship banner hanging in the rafters at the Air Canada Centre at this moment. Here are Carter, McGrady and Oakley discussing what could have been on TSNs Off the Record: SG: Morris Peterson – 42.1 FG%, 78.2 FT%, 12.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.0 spg, 00-01 NBA All-Rookie First Team When it came to valuable role players, few were as good as Morris Peterson, who was one of the best sixth men in the league. Peterson always provided a spark off the bench and embraced that role during his seven seasons with the Raptors. Here is Peterson hitting the most clutch shot in Raptors history while Chuck Swirsky goes bananas and Wizards coach Eddie Jordan shakes his head in disbelief: PG: Kyle Lowry – 41.4 FG%, 80.7 FT%, 14.9 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 spg When the Raptors traded a barely-protected first round selection to the Rockets for Kyle Lowry, fans were flabbergasted. After all, Lowry had the reputation of being a coach killer and a curmudgeon. Since then, Lowry has made those fans feel great shame, playing up to his potential and nearly earning his first All-Star Game berth this past season. Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski wrote a great piece about Lowrys miraculous transformation into a leader and one of the leagues best point guards. Lowrys future after this season is up in the air as he will be a restricted free agent, but given his chemistry with his teammates and his relationship with Raptors coach Dwane Casey, many would be surprised to see him leave a situation in which he has thrived. Here is Lowry throwing his shoes to a Raptors fan in Chicago, only to have them intercepted by a Bulls fan: We want to know who YOU would have picked. Vote for your team by Tweeting us @BarDown (using the hashtag #BarDownRaps) or emailing us at bardown@bellmedia.ca or just post your team in the comments. We will follow up with results as well as get some pics from other famous Raptors fans. 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