2014 was a memorable year for the Toronto Raptors highlighted by their 2014 NBA Playoff appearance & 7 game First round battle vs. the Brooklyn Nets. The Raptors took both the sweet taste of success & bitter taste of defeat and built on it for the 2014-15 NBA campaign. Toronto proceeded to rise to the top of the Eastern Conference standings and held that position for 60 straight days, only recently (on Friday January 2nd, 2015) relinquishing first place to the Atlanta Hawks. The Raptors went 24-8 in the 2014 portion of the season, and are currently 24-9.
DeMar DeRozan’s groin tendon tear suffered in late November was a major hurdle to overcome, but the Raptors held things down as best they could and have gone 11-7 without him in the lineup to this point in the season. As they prepare for DeRozan’s reported return in the next several days, let’s take a look back at some incredibly athletic, savvy, funny, and moving moments from the Raptors 2014 portion of the 2014-15 season:
December 2014
Tyler Hansbrough Posterizes JJ Hickson:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMsi7LJB3Mk]Terrence Ross Finishes with the Nasty Hammer Dunk:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr7FtJy4feY]James Johnson Cocks the Hammer and Explodes on the Rim:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_JbBXNcpec]James Johnson (Postgame Reaction) – December 19, 2014:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIiB5OPy7U]Lowry Shakes and Bakes and Dishes for the Swish:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5LU-0noswY]DeMar DeRozan Conducts Post-Game Interview with Lowry:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=476_VcZt64w]James Johnson Soars In for the Vicious One-Handed Slam:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFmjAoyV71I]Kyle Lowry Scores Season High 39-Points in Victory:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxVRM78ke2E]November 2014
Jonas Valančiūnas shows off versus the Suns!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCdWL6MEgS8]Bruno Caboclo Gets First NBA Bucket with Style:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8pdr8_GT08]Vince Carter Tribute – November 19, 2014:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-g_H6c3lNM]Vince Carter Receives Emotional Tribute in Toronto:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEiMfVQ3y94]Terrence Ross Throws Down the Amazing Alley:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oigSHavw8-U]Vasquez No-Looks to James Johnson for the Power Slam:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBFHCJkc1rE]DeRozan’s 360-Degree Layup!!!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SdLt8tJx6I]Drake Amp’d Up Over James Johnson’s Poster Dunk:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjcK0JxJoV8]Kyle Lowry Spins, Drives, and Dishes:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbtA0fbVWHM]Kyle Lowry Breaks Raptors Triple-Double Record:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAVHRkakT6U](Kyle Lowry had 13 points, 10 assists and a season-high 11 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season, fourth as a Raptor breaking Damon Stoudamire’s record.)
Photo Credit: Ron Turenne/NBAE
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
