Watch Orlando’s Terrence Ross get revenge on his former team
By Connor Learn
Terrence Ross spent the first five-plus seasons of his career in Toronto. He returned Monday night, and got the best of his old team for a 360 dunk.
Terrence Ross seized the starting small forward role on the Orlando Magic after he was traded along with a first round pick from Toronto for big man Serge Ibaka at the trade deadline.
Ross spent the first five seasons of his career with the Raptors after being drafted eighth overall in 2012. The 26-year-old spent those years of his career and life in Toronto and admitted that returning there would be a bittersweet affair.
Ross scored 17 points in his return. None were more exciting than these two, however.
https://twitter.com/CBSSportsNBA/status/846534387512565761
Ross was a highly drafted prospect out of the University of Washington. He won the Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie season and flashed excellent ability as a shooter to match. The Raptors, in theory, could have became a trio of Kyle Lowry, Demar DeRozan and T-Ross if he had met his potential.
The hope for him was that he would develop into a strong starter to pair with DeRozan on the wing, and he managed to start much of his second and third seasons for the Raptors.
DeMarre Carroll was brought in to start at small forward prior to last season and Ross lost his starting role. He played capably in Toronto, but often wasn’t aggressive enough to stand out. There were moments, however, notably a career-high 51 points in 2014. A career 50.6 percent shooter including 37.4 percent from three, Orlando gambled on him becoming a threat for them when they acquired him this season.
Unfortunately for Ross and the Magic, he hasn’t played at a high level in Orlando after a hot start. Additionally, that exciting moment failed to ignite them to a road victory. The Magic had little answer for Demar Derozan, as he torched them for 36 points. Serge Ibaka had 16 points and seven rebounds against his former team as well. The Magic got productive nights out of all of their starters, but only got 20 points from their bench in their 122-107 loss.
Next: Ranking the top 30 point guards
Orlando will be lottery bound again, with a record of 27-47. Toronto moved to 45-29 with their win. The Raptors continue to keep pace with the Wizards for the three seed in the Eastern Conference.