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
8 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
c s 11 months ago
this is easily the greatest team the raptors have, had none of the guys on our roster this year suck and are actually worth there contract(well jermaine is yet to be seen but hopefully when his time is up he'll come back for alot less) i am so interested in this year it beyond belief. I truly think nathan jawai and roko ukic can both become nba all stars someday there potentials touch the ceiling, i mean if barganani, jawai, and roko come off the bench that's a pretty bad ass bench right there. They all can score and put the ball on the floor and play hard i think alot of this year lies in how much is andrea barganani really gonna improve? If he can do maybe 17 and 6 i'll be satisfied. I truly think we can win between 50-55 the smae way orlando did last year its a matter of hope and hard work good luck rpators we'll be watching. Oh, EXCELLENT ARTICLE! there are some thins i saw int here that i completely forgot about.
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Scott Quinn 11 months ago
AMAZING ARTICLE!
GO RAPS
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c s 11 months ago
GO RAPTORS!
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Raps Fan 11 months ago
i have to disagree with you c, the raptors team that lost to philly in 7 is the best team imho. that was a much deeper team with tougher players and a defined rotation. calling ukic and jawai potential/future all-stars is an extreme reach in my estimation. if the raptors win more then 46 games, finish higher then 6th in the east and 3rd in the atlantic, i would be surprised. i grabbed your feed, keep up the good work.
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AAAA AAAAAAA 11 months ago
Raps, I disagree with you...
Looking at the roster, on paper, they are pretty much the 3nd maybe 4rd best team in the east.
Seeing that the Cavs and Magic didn't make to many changes, I for see the raptors really taking the east by storm. If I'm wrong, that's fine, but come on, who ISN'T excited for this season?
GO RAPS.
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Danny Smiths 11 months ago
EXP ERA
- DS Period
- MC Period
VC ERA
- TM/VC Period
- VC Period
BC ERA
- CB Period
- CB/JO Period
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Caelan B 11 months ago
bringing in jermaine is a good deal to me because jose caledron is a better pg than tj. tj i think was gunna turn into a jalen rose/vince carter because i think that tj was gunna ask for loads of money but he still gets injured alot if jermaine likes to be in toronto and has a good atitiude we should be in a race with the magic for 4th or 3rd spot depending on how good detroit does i expect them to break their 47 wins season record
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Zig Sha 11 months ago
The Easter powers grow mightier by the day, Detroit and Celtics will most likely be one top. But the 3rd and 4th spot should be interesting. A good race between the Raps, Sixers, and Magic. With the addition of Jermaine O Neal and the tandem of stars that are already on the team, the raps have a good chance of pushing it to maybe 2nd or 1st spot. Who knows at this point, Jermaine O Neal has yet to bear a Canadian winter, where its not only cold but the grind is heavier where all the top teams in the NBA come to show up the young franchise in their own court. But with Jamario Moon providing solid minutes, Anthony Parker and Jason Kapono at the two spot and this time around Colangelo saw the light in Jose Calderon, this team looks promising.
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