Toronto Raptors
On the 3rd of November 1995, the Toronto Raptors played their first official game against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome. Alvin Robertson scored the first points in franchise history during a 94, 79 victory. The team had been formalized on the 4th of November 1993, when the NBA Board of Governors awarded its 28th franchise to a group headed by John Bitove for US$125 million. This fee was a record expansion cost at the time. The ownership group included Allan Slaight of Slaight Communications and the Bank of Nova Scotia as minority partners. Before the inaugural season began, sales of Raptors merchandise ranked seventh in the league. The name "Raptors" was unveiled on Canadian national television on the 15th of May 1994. The choice was influenced by the popularity of the 1993 film Jurassic Park. The team colors were bright red, purple, black, and silver. Naismith silver honored James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Isiah Thomas served as the first general manager.
In February 1998, the Raptors traded Antawn Jamison to the Golden State Warriors for Vince Carter, who was selected fifth overall in the 1998 NBA draft. Carter won the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with emphatic performances that attracted many fans previously uninterested in basketball. During the 1999, 2000 season, the team finished with a 45, 37 record after playing four years at SkyDome before moving to Air Canada Centre. The franchise made its first playoff appearance in 2000 but lost three games to the New York Knicks. In 2001, Toronto defeated New York 3, 2 to win their first-ever playoff series. They advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia. Game 7 came down to the last few seconds when Carter's potential series-winning shot rolled off the rim. Despite criticism over his attendance at a graduation ceremony, the 2001 season remains a watermark for the franchise. Carter led the team to 47 wins and became the top vote-getter for the All-Star game three consecutive years. He suffered patellar tendinitis in November 2002, missing the rest of the season.
Vince Carter was traded mid-season in February 2004 to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning and other assets. Chris Bosh emerged as the new franchise player following Carter's departure. Bryan Colangelo was appointed general manager on the 27th of February 2006. The roster included Andrea Bargnani, selected first overall in the 2006 NBA draft. The 2006, 07 season saw the Raptors finish with a 47, 35 record and secure the Atlantic Division title. Sam Mitchell won Coach of the Year honors that same year. However, the following campaign ended in disappointment after injuries derailed progress. Bargnani struggled to play consistently while key players like Garbajosa and Ford missed significant time. In 2008, the team acquired Jermaine O'Neal from Indiana but fired head coach Jay Triano after an 8, 9 start. The 2010, 11 season resulted in only 22 wins after Chris Bosh signed with Miami Heat. Kyle Lowry was acquired from Houston Rockets during the 2012 off-season. The team finished 34, 48 in 2012, 13 despite winning 21 home games.
Masai Ujiri became general manager in the 2013 off-season and immediately traded Andrea Bargnani to New York Knicks for Marcus Camby and other assets. The Raptors went 10, 3 after trading Rudy Gay on the 9th of December 2013. They clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 by beating Boston Celtics 105, 103 on the 28th of March 2014. DeMar DeRozan was selected to play in the All-Star game that year. The franchise won its third consecutive Atlantic Division title in 2016 with a 56, 26 record. This marked the best regular season ever for Toronto. The team hosted the 2016 NBA All-Star Game on the 14th of February 2016. In the playoffs, they defeated Indiana Pacers in seven games before losing to Cleveland Cavaliers four games to two. On the 1st of January 2018, DeMar DeRozan scored a franchise-record 52 points against Milwaukee Bucks. The team finished with 59 wins during the 2017, 18 season, setting records for single-season wins and home victories.
On the 18th of July 2018, the Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Leonard became a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. During the trade deadline, Jonas Valančiūnas was sent to Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol. The team started the 2018, 19 season with a 6, 0 record, breaking their franchise record for best start through 20 games. They reached 20 wins quicker than any time in history by winning their 24th game on December 1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Leonard hit a 15-foot buzzer-beater in Game 7 against Philadelphia 76ers to lift Toronto to 92, 90 victory. This marked the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA playoff history. The Raptors defeated Golden State Warriors four games to two to win their first championship. Leonard earned Finals MVP honors. They became the first team based outside the United States to win an NBA title since the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993.
Kawhi Leonard signed with Los Angeles Clippers after one season following the 2019 championship. Pascal Siakam made his first All-NBA Second Team during the 2019, 20 campaign. The team won 53 games in a season shortened by COVID-19 pandemic. Playoffs began later than usual in August at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. Boston Celtics eliminated Toronto in seven games despite OG Anunoby scoring a buzzer-beater to win Game 3. For the 2020, 21 season, home games were played at Amalie Arena in Tampa due to travel restrictions. The Raptors missed playoffs for the first time in eight years after losing 129, 105 to Detroit Pistons on the 3rd of March 2021. Scottie Barnes was selected fourth overall in the 2021 NBA draft from Florida State. He won Rookie of the Year in 2022. Kyle Lowry was traded to Miami Heat on the 10th of September 2021. In January 2024, Pascal Siakam was traded to Indiana Pacers leaving Scottie Barnes as the new face of the franchise.
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Common questions
When did the Toronto Raptors play their first official game?
The Toronto Raptors played their first official game on the 3rd of November 1995 against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome. Alvin Robertson scored the first points in franchise history during a 94, 79 victory.
Who won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the Toronto Raptors in 2000?
Vince Carter won the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with emphatic performances that attracted many fans previously uninterested in basketball. He was selected fifth overall in the 1998 NBA draft before joining the team.
What year did the Toronto Raptors win their first championship?
The Toronto Raptors won their first championship by defeating the Golden State Warriors four games to two during the 2018, 19 season. Kawhi Leonard earned Finals MVP honors and became the first player based outside the United States to win an NBA title since the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993.
When was the Toronto Raptors name officially unveiled to the public?
The name Raptors was unveiled on Canadian national television on the 15th of May 1994. The choice was influenced by the popularity of the 1993 film Jurassic Park and featured bright red, purple, black, and silver colors.
Which general manager led the Toronto Raptors to their first playoff berth since 2008?
Masai Ujiri became general manager in the 2013 off-season and immediately traded Andrea Bargnani to New York Knicks for Marcus Camby and other assets. The team clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 by beating Boston Celtics 105, 103 on the 28th of March 2014.