LeBron James Says Raptors Should Retire DeMar DeRozan's Number
LeBron James absolutely owned the Toronto Raptors when he played in the Eastern Conference, eliminating them from the playoffs time and time again.
"LeBronto" was a thing.
Maybe LeBron thinks he still owns the Raptors, as he's replied on social media adamantly to a question about whether the Canadian team that was DeMar DeRozan's home in the NBA for 9 years should retire DeRozan's uniform number (10).
LeBron says the Raptors should retire DeMar DeRozan’s number 👀 pic.twitter.com/sRgNjRKBG4
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) September 7, 2021
In all caps, James answered back emphatically, "THAT'S A REAL QUESTION??? LOL. ABSOLUTELY THEY SHOULD."
DeRozan was one of the faces of the Raptors franchise from 2010 through 2018. He was an all-star four times, and from 2013-18 averaged 23 points per game, with over 4 assists and 4 rebounds. He is still the franchise's all-time leader in games played, points, field goals made and free throws made.
He wasn't a part of the Raptors' biggest moment though, being traded for Kawhi Leonard before the 2018-19 season, and having to watch from afar as Toronto hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy as NBA champions.
DeRozan's Raptors and James' Cleveland Cavaliers hooked up in the NBA playoffs three straight years from 2016 through 2018, with the Cavs (and LeBron almost singlehandedly on many occasions) knocking out Toronto in the conference finals in '16, then sweeping them in the conference semis the next two years.
His insane game-winner during the 2018 sweep cemented the "LeBronto" meme.
The Raptors don't currently have any retired numbers, but you can rest assured that Kyle Lowry's #7 will be the first one to hang in the rafters of Scotiabank Arena. Whether DeRozan's #10 will follow, we'll just have to let LeBron take up that cause.
Post a Comment