NBA Career
Bonner signed with the Raptors before the 2004–05 NBA season, averaging 7.2 points per game and played in all 82 of the Raptors' games. Matt received the nickname "Red Rocket" during the same season because he has red hair and was constantly sighted on the public transit in Toronto, the TTC, whose streetcars are red and slogan is 'Ride the Rocket'.
Matt Bonner's first prominent moment as a Raptor occurred on December 2004 during an exciting game at the Air Canada Centre. Extending for a rebound, he knocked all-star Kevin Garnett from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground prompting the two players to get into a heated exchange. The crowd chanted "Bonner, Bonner" as he was ejected from the game. This immediately established Matt as a fan favorite with Raptors fans rallying behind Bonner.
In the 2005–06 season Bonner played 78 games averaging 7.5 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game and shot 44.8% from the field. He ranked 14th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, and was one of the first players the Raptors looked to for three-point shots.
On June 21, 2006, Bonner was traded with Eric Williams and a second round pick in the 2006 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs for Radoslav Nesterović and cash considerations.
While with the Spurs in the 2006–07 season, Bonner played in 56 games averaging 4.9 points per game in 11.7 minutes per game. The team went on to win the league championship and Bonner received his championship ring in a ceremony on October 30, 2007 prior to a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
On December 11, 2007, Bonner registered career highs of 25 points and 17 rebounds in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.
He led the league in 3-point percentage in the 2010-11 season, shooting .457% from the field.
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“I’ve been in the twilight of my career longer than most people have had their career.”
—Martina Navratilova (b. 1956)