NBA Toronto Raptors

Slumping Toronto Raptors Can Use Some Inspiration From Timeless Muggsy Bogues

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Former player Muggsy Bogues during the game against the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors on January 16, 2015 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

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He is the smallest player to ever play in the NBA, but maybe some encouragement by Muggsy Bogues will give the struggling Toronto Raptors the big boost they need.

“The Raptors have a really good opportunity to come out of the East if they continue to keep grinding, continue getting better on both ends of the floor,” Bogues told the Raptors’ website. “What they’ve go now, they’ve proven they can beat anybody they play against, it’s just a matter of going out there and doing it.”

The charismatic point guard turned coach was honored at halftime of the Raptors’ 110-89 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks on Friday night as part of the team’s season-long 20th anniversary celebrations. Bogues was greeted by a standing ovation while fans and observers at the Air Canada Centre  recalled his grit, determination and incredible ball handling and passing skills. The crowd cheered wildly as a video compilation of Bogues’ playing days in Toronto was shown on the arena’s giant video screen.

Seeing Bogues in the spotlight was a breath of fresh air for those fans tired of seeing the shameless and repeated corporate cross-promotions involving the Raptors’ pitchman and hip-hop artist Drake. Bogues, who stands only 5-foot-3, played with three other NBA teams during his 14-year career: the Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets and the Charlotte Hornets. The talented point guard teamed up in Toronto with Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Doug Christie, Antonio Davis, Charles Oakley and Kevin Willis to help lead Toronto to their first ever playoff appearance in 2000. Since his playing days, he has acted as a global ambassador for the NBA on several occasions, and also coaches the United Faith Christian Academy boys basketball team in Charlotte, NC.

Bogues acknowledged how quickly time has marched on and said he “couldn’t believe” it has really been more than 14 years since he last wore Raptors’ purple. He also admitted his appearance in the animated live-action movie ‘Space Jam’, alongside Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, has kept him popular with today’s younger generation who weren’t around to see him perform in the NBA.

“It is by far still one of the number one movies with kids,” he told TSN’s Rod Black. “One kid came up to recently and asked me ‘Do you still have your special powers?’. I really love it, it keeps me relevant.”

The slumping Raptors could certainly use some of Bogues’ ‘special powers’ for their next game on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Toronto (26-13) had led the Eastern Conference until the end of December, but have now dropped six of their last 10 and are desperate to put the brakes on their slide in the standings.

Peter Mallett is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RedCardTheRef1 like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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