The Three Eras of the Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors, the only current Canadian basketball team, have had a short but storied history.

Steadfast and loyal, Raptors fans have been through thick and thin for a franchise that seems on the cusp of becoming playoff contenders. The new Jermaine O'Neal-Chris Bosh' tandem could be the wave that pushes the Raptors over the edge—or the weight that sends them crashing down like Vince Carter did.

With Raptors fans, including myself, brimming with anticipation, it's a good time to look back at the three major eras the Raptors have been through:

1. The Beginning

On September 30, 1993, alongside the Vancouver Grizzlies, the Toronto Raptors were unveiled as the twenty-eighth NBA franchise. The name "Raptors" was chosen due to the popularity of the movie Jurassic Park.

On May 15, 1994, Isiah Thomas was named general manager. He named former Pistons assistant Brendan Malone as the first head coach of the Raptors.

In the Expansion Draft, the Raptors picked some solid players—including a marquee name in BJ Armstrong. However, Armstrong refused to play for the Raptors, and was traded for Carlos Rogers and Victor Alexander.

With the seventh pick in the 1995 NBA draft, the Raptors selected their first face of the franchise—Damon Stoudamire.

Many expansion teams struggle mightily during their first few seasons, and the Raptors were no exception. Finishing with twenty-one wins, the Raptors had a few positive moments in the course of season. They were one of the few teams to beat the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, and Damon Stoudamire averaged nineteen points and nine assists to claim the Rookie of the Year award.

With the second pick in the 1996 Draft, the Raptors selected future Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby.

The following season, Toronto won thirty games. Damon Stoudamire showed great strides, averaging about twenty points and eight assists in his sophomore season. The Raptors showed great potential and seemed to be on the rise.

The Raptors looked to be ready to take the next step and contend for a playoff spot during the '97-98 season, but Toronto took their first step backwards. With the resignation of Isiah Thomas, Damon Stoudamire demanded a trade.

Stoudamire, Carlos Rogers, and Walt Williams were traded for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gart Trent, two first-round draft picks, a second-round draft pick, and cash considerations.

The Raptors were back to square one—rebuilding. They finished the season with the worst record in the franchise's short history, 16-65. On June 25, 1998, the Raptors traded center Marcus Camby for veteran enforcer Charles Oakley to bring some credibility back to the team.

Then, later that summer, in a trade that included draft pick Antawn Jamison, the Raptors received one of the greatest players in franchise history.

2. The Vince Carter Era

Following the draft, the Raptors had a solid corps surrounding UNC standout Vince Carter. One of the key role players on this new team was rookie standout Tracy McGrady, who would form a potent one-two punch with Carter, his cousin. The Raptors finished a mediocre 23-59, but were on the right path.

The 1999-2000 Toronto Raptors Roster

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?