Kyle Lowry is gearing up for his second season with the Philadelphia 76ers after a challenging last year, where he played just 23 games. Despite the limited action, those familiar with Lowry’s time with the Toronto Raptors recognize his true value on the court.
During his nine seasons in Toronto, Lowry reached the pinnacle of his career, becoming a fan favorite. He even expressed his desire to retire from the NBA with Toronto.
Recently, the Raptors announced they would retire Vince Carter’s No. 15 jersey on November 2. However, the franchise’s admiration for Lowry runs deep.
TSN’s Josh Lewenberg reported that some “high-ranking members” within the Raptors organization believed Lowry deserved to be the first player honored with a jersey retirement.
“There were high-ranking members of the organization who maintained that Kyle Lowry should be the first to receive the honor, having spent nearly a decade with the club, been the face of its most successful era, and led it to a championship,” the report read.
“However, Lowry is about to begin his 19th NBA season; he’s in the back nine of his career, but his retirement is at least a few years off. With Carter’s Hall of Fame induction coinciding with the Raptors’ 30th season, the timing felt right, and there was a strong push made on his behalf. It gained steam in May when the Nets announced that they would be retiring Carter’s jersey.”
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
How Successful Was Kyle Lowry’s Career with the Raptors?
Kyle Lowry enjoyed a successful nine-season tenure with the Toronto Raptors, spanning from the 2012-13 season through 2020-21. His standout performance came during the 2016-17 season, where he averaged 22.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 7.0 rebounds over 60 games.
During his time with the Raptors, Lowry, who was once frustrated with the Villanova basketball program’s treatment towards him, became a six-time All-Star. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the team to its first championship in 2019.
By the time he transitioned to the Miami Heat, Lowry had made a significant impact in Toronto. He amassed career averages of 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds with the Raptors.
