With the Toronto Raptors celebrating their 20th anniversary season in 2014-15, Josh Lewenberg and TSN.ca take a look back at the franchises first two decades with weekly Top Five lists, counting down the standout and signature players and moments in team history. Today, we look back at the best trades and the general managers who made them. 1. Acquired the draft rights to Vince Carter and cash from Golden State for the draft rights to Antawn Jamison - June 24, 1998 (Glen Grunwald) The most important trade in Raptors history was merely a formality. Yes, Toronto selected Jamison, who would switch hats with his college teammate on draft night, but it was Carter the Raptors had targeted all along. Of the two, Jamison actually had the better body of work at UNC and was known to be the Warriors preference, selecting fifth overall. So Grunwald, drafting for the first time as general manager, nabbed the forward with the fourth pick, immediately swapping him for some cash. Sold after watching his pre-draft workouts, Grunwald saw something in Carter and his instincts didnt deceive him. While Jamison would go on to have a very good 16-year career, Carter was the franchise-altering star the Raptors desperately needed coming off a horrendous season. 2. Acquired Kyle Lowry from Houston for Gary Forbes and a first-round pick - July 11, 2012 (Bryan Colangelo) Although Lowry had been on Colangelos radar for some time - with this trade, or a variation of it on the table weeks before the trigger was ultimately pulled - the Rockets point guard was his consolation prize. To think what might have been if the Raptors courtship of the deteriorating Steve Nash had come to fruition? What condition would the organization be in now and where might Lowrys career have taken him? The trade that never was - a vetoed deal to send him to the Knicks 17 months later - also deserves mention here. In the end, Lowrys move to Toronto worked out better than anyone could have imagined and with the Rockets retooling at the time, the price was minimal. Houston would end up repackaging Torontos pick to Oklahoma City in the James Harden deal and the Thunder selected centre Steven Adams 12th overall in a weak 2013 draft. 3. Acquired Antonio Davis from Indiana for the draft rights to Jonathan Bender - Aug. 1, 1999 (Grunwald) Giving up a first-round pick, let alone a lottery selection, is always a calculated risk but Toronto was playing with found money in 1999. In a three-team trade youll find further down on this list, the Raptors gave up a young Chauncey Billups and acquired a future first-round pick from Denver, a pick that turned out to be the fifth overall selection. Coming off their best season to date, Carters rookie year, the Raptors needed immediate help and Pacers veteran Antonio Davis fit the bill. Davis would become an all-star in Toronto and help lead the team to three straight playoff appearances, while the oft-injured Bender - a high schooler chosen by Indiana with the traded pick - never came close to reaching his potential before his career was cut short. 4. Acquired Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems from Milwaukee for Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic - Aug. 18, 2009 (Colangelo) Contending for championships with a veteran roster, particularly in the frontcourt, the Pistons gave up on a young Amir Johnson, the NBAs last player to be drafted straight out of high school. In the summer of 2009, they dumped him on the Bucks, another team with playoff aspirations, who repackaged him a couple months later hoping to get some immediate help in veteran Carlos Delfino. The Raptors had retained Delfinos rights when he left the league to play in Russia but he was not likely to suit up for them again. For basically nothing, Colangelo was happy to scoop up a 22-year-old Johnson, with very little milage on his tires despite four years in the association. Weems became a serviceable rotation player but the prize was Johnson, who has been a fixture in Torontos lineup for six seasons and counting. 5. Acquired Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes and John Salmons from Sacramento for Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray - Dec. 9, 2013 (Masai Ujiri) There was no wizardry at work here. As Ujiri likes to say, he and his staff had no idea how this leap of faith would pan out. They certainly had no idea it would produce the type of results it has. Some believe it was a first step in the tank-job that never was. Regardless, Rudy Gay had to go if the Raptors were going to break out of no mans land and head in either direction. With Gay gone, the team - up until recently - came together in a way that cant be quantified, Lowry and DeMar DeRozan blossomed into stars and the loot they got back in return proved valuable, primarily Vasquez and Patterson, who inked new deals this summer. The Raptors have a regular season record of 69-36 since the trade. Best of the rest: 6. Acquired Charles Oakley and Sean Marks from New York for Marcus Camby - June 25, 1998 (Grunwald) Just barely missed the top five. Oak arrived at the perfect time, bringing the veteran leadership and toughness Grunwald was looking to add to his young core. Camby become a defensive staple for New York and helped lead them to a Finals appearance. Mutually beneficial deal. 7. Acquired Michael Williams, Zeljko Rebraca and two first-round picks in a three-team trade with Denver and Minnesota for Chauncey Billups and the rights to Tyson Wheeler - Jan. 21, 1999 (Grunwald) Why is this so high? Well, Billups - coming off a rough rookie season - wasnt exactly Mr. Big Shot yet and those first-rounders the Raptors got in return turned out to be pretty useful. The Nuggets pick - fifth overall in 1999 - was swapped for Antonio Davis, while Minnesotas produced Morris Peterson 21st overall in 2000. 8. Acquired Doug Christie and Herb Williams from New York for Willie Anderson and Victor Alexandar - Feb. 18, 1996 (Isiah Thomas) Christie, a Raptor for almost five seasons, helped bridge the gap between the Stoudamire (Thomas) and Carter (Grunwald) eras. An under-the-radar acquisition that produced one of the franchises most reliable, all-around performers. 9. Acquired Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall and Lonny Baxter from Chicago for Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams and Chris Jefferies - Dec. 1, 2003 (Grunwald) Grunwald had hoped the addition of Rose and Marshall could rejuvenate his sinking team and keep Carter happy in Toronto. Although things turned out differently, the two vets had productive, albeit brief Raptor tenures while Davis and JYD were expendable nearing the end of their careers. 10. Acquired Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, a first and two second-round picks from New York for Andrea Bargnani - July 10, 2013 (Ujiri) The inevitable divorce. Still hard to believe Ujiri was able to snag three picks for the disgruntled Bargnani. Will be years before we know the value of them and can truly evaluate this deal. But, for now, getting basically anything for the former first-overall pick is cause for celebration. 11. Acquired Lou Williams and Lucas Nogueira from Atlanta for John Salmons and a second-round pick - June 20, 2014 (Ujiri) Still early but so far so good. Williams is in pre-injury form once again and should contend for a Sixth Man of the Year award before hitting free agency while the Hawks cut Salmons immediately to save some cash. 12. Acquired T.J. Ford from Milwaukee for Charlie Villanueva - June 30, 2006 (Colangelo) Colangelo got the point guard he coveted in Ford, an important piece in Torontos first division title, while selling high on Charlie-Vs rookie season. 13. Acquired Kevin Willis from Houston for Roy Rogers and two first-round picks - June 9, 1998 (Grunwald) Like Oakley, Willis helped change the culture of a team on the rise, mentoring Carter and McGrady in their early years. Nothing came of the picks they gave up on the deal - Rockets selected Bryce Drew and Mirsad Turkcan. 14. Acquired Keon Clark, Tracy Murray and Mamadou Ndiaye from Denver for Kevin Willis, Garth Joseph, Alexandar Radojevic and a second-round pick - Jan. 12, 2001 (Grunwald) With the 38-year-old Willis serving his purpose, Grunwald exchanged him for a dynamic centre 13 years younger in Clark and two-time Raptor Tracy Murray. 15. Acquired Antonio Davis from New York for Jalen Rose and a first-round pick - Feb. 3, 2006 (Wayne Embry) Taking over for the recently dismissed Rob Babcock, Wayne Embry pulled the trigger on a move that would free up significant cap space for soon-to-be new GM Bryan Colangelo. Rose still had a full year on his deal while Davis contract - originally given to him by the Raptors - was set to expire. 16. Acquired Rasho Nesterovic from San Antonio for Eric Williams, Matt Bonner and a second-round pick - June 21, 2006 (Colangelo) Colangelos second trade turned out to be a big step in his express rebuild. Nesterovic started 73 games for the division-winning Raptors club that year. Doubt anyone was sorry to see Eric Williams go. 17. Acquired Alvin Williams, Kenny Anderson, Gary Trent, two firsts and one second-round pick from Portland for Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers - Feb. 13, 1998 (Grunwald) Inheriting the GM gig from Thomas, Grunwald made the best of a tricky situation after Stoudamire forced his hand in demanding a trade. Although Anderson refused to wear a Raptors jersey, he was immediately exchanged for an asset in Billups, while Alvin Williams blossomed into one of the franchises most important players. 18. Acquired Mike James from Houston for Rafer Alston - Oct. 4, 2005 (Rob Babcock) Babcocks only appearance on this list. Although it was mostly for naught - aside from earning him a big contract with Minnesota - James lone campaign in Toronto was one of the best single season performances in team history. 19. Acquired Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones from Phoenix for Hedo Turkoglu - July 14, 2010 (Colangelo) Ball. 20. Acquired Kris Humphries and Robert Whaley from Utah for Rafael Araujo - June 8, 2006 (Colangelo) Colangelos first trade. He could have dumped Hoffa for Kim Kardashian and it would have made this list. Jack Armstrongs picks: 1. Vince Carter for Antawn Jamison 2. Kyle Lowry for Gary Forbes and a first-rounder 3. Antonio Davis for Jonathan Bender 4. Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes and John Salmons for Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray 5. Charles Oakley and Sean Marks for Marcus Camby Trent Brown Patriots Jersey ." Those traits were clear to the 24,071 at Olympic Stadium on Saturday as the Impact dominated the scoring chances but settled for a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls in a battle of still-winless Major League Soccer teams. Danny Shelton Jersey . The NFL announced Friday that the Texans sixth-year veteran offensive lineman will replace Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters in the Jan. http://www.authenticpatriotsfanatic.com/...rty-jersey.aspx. 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The right-hander dropped his fourth straight decision in Los Angeles 6-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, leaving his status very much in doubt as the Dodgers prepare for the stretch drive.TORONTO – Under the strain of a no. 1 gig in the NHL for the very first time, Jonathan Bernier has learned that its best to do little with off-nights from the grueling schedule, condensed as it is in an Olympic year. "I go home and watch TV and just rest," he said with a smile. "But thats what you need to do to be successful. Thats what Im going to do." And thats precisely what the Maple Leafs need him to do. Outside of the incomparable Phil Kessel, no player means more to Torontos fortunes down the stretch and into a hopeful postseason run than the 25-year-old between the pipes. Freed from the shadows of Jonathan Quick, Bernier has shined brilliantly in his first go-around as an NHL starter, minding the fort on most nights in front of a poor defensive team. The Laval, Quebec native ranks sixth in save percentage amongst goaltenders with at least 30 starts, this despite facing more shots than anyone but Mike Smith – Smith, of course, making nine more starts. Whether Bernier has the juice to maintain such a performance down the stretch could very well determine his teams fate. Though theyve scored in droves all year, the Leafs have also struggled badly to defend, requiring Bernier to fend off a barrage of 35, 40 and sometimes 50 shots against on many nights. His efforts have rarely wavered in spite of the workload. Berniers best month in terms of save percentage was October when he posted a sterling .933 mark, his worst coming more recently in January with a still respectable .916 showing. The Leafs – who allow a league-high of more than 36 shots per game – would not be on the firm ground of a playoff spot currently without such feats. "I knew my biggest challenge this year was going to be consistency," he told the Leaf Report, "to be good every night and hopefully, once in a while, be great and steal a few games for your team. Thats my main goal, to be good every night and give a chance to my team to win. But thats hard. When you havent played that much (as a starter) you feel tired a lot more than you are usually so its more like a grind mentally to push yourself to be better every day and work hard in practice. "Why (Henrik) Lundqvist is known as the best is hes going to be good every night and hes going to be great once in a while. Thats how you become the best is consistency. You can have one good year and then youre not going to be the best because youve got to prove it over and over. Thats what makes you a great player." Not since the 2009-10 season has Bernier played anywhere near thhis many games (40 starts) and that was when he was a Manchester Monarch in the AHL.dddddddddddd His performance then was eye-catching. Then just 21, he posted a league-leading .936 save percentage during the regular season – Nathan Lawson was second at .922 – raising his level even higher in the playoffs with a .939 mark that again topped every one of his Calder Cup counterparts. All of which makes his performance this season if not surprising then reaffirming of the promise he showed early and often as a highly-touted prospect in the Kings organization. The question lingering now is whether he can continue to perform down the stretch or whether the strain of a sometimes painstaking load in Toronto will prove too much to bear. It will be worthwhile testing ground for the 11th pick in the 06 draft and could ultimately decide the Leafs fate this season. They remain a bad defensive team even with his heroics, ranking fifth to last in goals against. If he falters theres every chance they too falter as well (James Reimer lurks in the background in that case as a proven, if not unused, alternative). Bernier was on point in the final lead-up to the 18-day Olympic stoppage, but was scuffed up in his first two starts afterward, yielding nine goals combined in overtime losses to the Islanders and Canadiens. Off-nights like that will challenge the Leafs playoff push. Theyve required great goaltending to get to this point and will need more of the same in the final 20 games, the bulk of which Bernier is in line to start. Bernier for his part is doing what he can to remain sharp in the final leg of the regular season race. Earlier this season he noted that perhaps the greatest challenge of reassuming control of no. 1 duties is the mental focus required each and every night through an exhausting schedule, not simply the physical wear and tear associated with the job. "Its all about rest and feeling good about yourself and making sure you eat properly, you rest, you sleep good," he said. "Those are the things that are going to get you through a full season to be mentally sharp." Ambition is certainly high for Bernier. He wants to be great and the Leafs, at this stage, need him to be great, gambled when they acquired him that he could be great. "I dont want to look too far ahead," he said, "but my goal is to be the best I can be. Its going to take a few years to get that name (for myself) … but right now Im going day by day and enjoying to play games. Thats what Ive been waiting for and it feels good." 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