We know that a second championship is within reach, and until that day, we stand together to support our team through thick and thin.
If you feel the same way, we invite you to join us in our mission by contributing your global perspective on all things Raptors.
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"We The North” was never just a slogan; it embodies how much we believe in this franchise, city and country alike. This is more than a game - it's a movement driven by authenticity, attitude, sportsmanship, excitement and honour between Raptors fans across North America.
This is why thousands of voices come together when cheering for the raptors victory during every game - We The North!
Join us as we shout out "Let's Go Raptors" everyday! Let us show our unconditional support for the hometown heroes- Toronto Raptors! Let us display true pride because its what makes every fan of this franchise believe that the ‘impossible’ could be possible someday.
With your support, Our small yet strong community can grow into something bigger and truly remarkable. Together, great things are Possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the first year of existence of the Toronto Raptors in 1985?
The first season of the NBA for Toronto Raptors was difficult. Brendan Malone was hired by Isiah Thomas to be the head coach. The team quickly acquired many talented players through drafts and trades. They lost to the Chicago Bulls one time that season, but they ended up with a 21–61 win-loss record overall.
Toronto drafted Marcus Camby in 1996. He was named Rookie of Year and was part of the starting lineup with Alvin Williams as point guard. Damon Stoudamire was traded later in 1997. Toronto made more roster changes over the years to ensure future success.
Despite all of these changes, the team struggled through its first few seasons in NBA. Toronto lost the 2000 series to the New York Knicks after a period of rebuilding and transition.
When was the Raptors' first game?
The Raptors hosted their first ever regular season match against the New Jersey Nets on November 3, 1995 at the SkyDome. Alvin Robertson scored the franchise's first points with 33,306 supporters in attendance. The Raptors beat the Nets, 94-79, thanks to contributions from Damon Stoudamire (10 assists and 10 points) and Robertson (30 point plays).
Did Vancouver have an NBA team?
Vancouver does have an NBA team. The Vancouver Grizzlies existed in the city from 1995 to 2001. However, the team moved to Memphis Tennessee in 2001. Vancouver's basketball fans now support the Toronto Raptors. They are the closest NBA franchise to the city. The Greater Vancouver Area also hosts professional basketball teams, such as Vancouver Volcanoes and the Canadian Elite Basketball League's BC Tigers. There are many amateur and semi-professional basketball teams that play in local leagues.
Aside from playing basketball, there are many other recreational outlets for fans in Vancouver to connect with their favourite sport. For example, the Vancouver Grizzlies Alumni Association is a group that strives to connect former players from the team with each other and also bring awareness of basketball in British Columbia. The association hosts events such as viewing parties for Raptors games and clinics to help young players develop their game.
Although the Grizzlies have left Vancouver, the city's love and passion for basketball is not diminishing. The community continues to support the sport in numerous ways. Vancouverites continue to show their passion for basketball by attending local games, watching Raptors games and supporting the many initiatives undertaken by former players and other organizations working to spread awareness about basketball within the city.
Why did NBA leave Vancouver?
NBA left Vancouver because of a dispute with the City Council regarding arena financing. The City was expected to contribute $40m towards the construction of a brand new basketball arena. It would include 12 luxury suites along with two restaurants, bars, and a hotel. The City Council wanted to provide $60 million in taxpayer funds to team owners to repay their existing debt. This meant the city would have to borrow $200 million to build the arena, while the team owners only had to pay back $20 million in debt. This would mean that the city's taxpayers would be responsible for paying back the rest of the loan.
The City Council indicated that they would approve the plan if Rogers Arena was allowed to remain until the new facility is opened. The league, however, refused to accept the plan. They claimed that the arena was not large enough. They didn't want to play there anymore because it was too small. They felt that asking them to play in a smaller venue was unfair, especially since they weren't making any additional revenue.
The City Council asked for financial assistance and offered to help the province. The province agreed to provide $150 million towards the project, but the City Council still needed another $100 million. That's when the City decided to drop its plans and focus on building a new downtown arena instead.
What was the Toronto Raptors' first season?
The Toronto Raptors lost 21 games in their first season. The 1995-1996 Toronto Raptors was the inaugural NBA season. The Raptors were among two expansion teams that joined the league in 1995, alongside the Vancouver Grizzlies. This was also the first NBA-level season.
Isiah Thomas, an All-Star pointguard and former Detroit Pistons legend became the team’s General Manager. He helped with the draft, which yielded Damon Stoudamire, who would go on to win Rookie of the Year. They also traded for Tracy Murray and Oliver Miller. Thomas introduced a new primary emblem featuring a dinosaur playing ball and pinstripe uniforms sporting the logo on the front. The Raptors added purple to their color scheme.
Brendan Malone, the new head coach of the Raptors, won the Raptors' first game on November 3, against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome. However, they lost seven of their next seven games.
Murray was second on the team for scoring, with an average of 16.2 points per contest. He also led the team by scoring 151 three-point field goal attempts during that season. Miller contributed 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 stoles to the team. Robertson contributed 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and four assists per game from the bench.
Despite having one of the worst records in the league, attendance was very good, as they averaged over 17283 fans per game at SkyDome (now Rogers Centre).
How many NBA teams are there in Canada?
The Toronto Raptors are currently the only Canadian NBA franchise. The Vancouver Grizzlies, a former NBA team, moved to Memphis in 2001 and became the Memphis Grizzlies. Canada did have two teams--the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies--for a brief time during the late 1990s, but no other Canadian cities currently have an NBA team. Canadians are avid basketball fans and often travel to the United States in order to catch games. The Toronto Raptors are a well-known and popular team that has been around since 1995. They continue to attract large audiences for home games at Scotiabank Arena. The NBA All-Star Weekend is attended by hundreds of Canadians each year. Canada is home to more than one NBA franchise, thanks to its population of 38 million. Many North American basketball fans have debated the possibility of a second team. The Toronto Raptors, Canada's only representative in the NBA, remain as such.
Canadian Elite Basketball League is a Canadian professional basketball league. This league features six teams from Canadian cities and towns, including Fraser Valley Bandits (Abbotsford, BC), Edmonton Stingers (Edmonton, Alberta), Guelph Nighthawks (Guelph, Ontario), Hamilton Honey Badgers (Hamilton, Ontario), Saskatchewan Rattlers (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), and Niagara River Lions (St. Catharines, Ontario). The CEBL, Canada's only professional basketball league, is currently in operation.
From 2011 to 2020 the National Basketball League of Canada, a professional league for men's basketball, operated. It included eight teams from Halifax and Moncton. Saint John. Cape Breton. Summerside. London. Windsor. Kitchener. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the NBLC ceased operation.
Canada also has junior basketball leagues, such as the Canadian National Basketball League (CNB), a semi-professional men's league based in Vancouver, BC. The CNB features teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Canadian Elite Development League - Another junior basketball league in Canada, the CEDL features teams mostly from the Greater Toronto Area. AC) and Canadian Youth Basketball League. These leagues allow young basketball players to grow their skills while playing in a competitive environment.
What year did the Raptors beat Chicago Bulls?
The Raptors defeated Chicago Bulls (who would win the NBA Championship the following year) on March 24, 1996. The final score was 110-108. Michael Jordan tried a last-second shot for the Bulls to win the game, but it didn't count as it occurred after the buzzer had sounded.
Statistics
- This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
- After Thomas attempted to execute a letter of intent with Slaight to purchase the team failed, he resigned from his position in November and sold his 9 percent stake in the team to Slaight. (en.wikipedia.org)
- By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As predicted by analysts, the team easily secured a berth in the 2001 NBA playoffs with a franchise-high 47 wins. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In November of the 1996–97 season, Bitove sold his ownership interest in the team to Slaight for $65 million after Slaight had activated a shotgun clause in their partnership agreement,[32][33] giving Slaight 79 percent control of the team, [34] (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
jerseymuseum.org
basketball-reference.com
nba.com/raptors
bleacherreport.com
How To
Best time to visit a Toronto Raptors game
Toronto Raptors games typically take place on weekdays between April and October. Weekends are often reserved to attend concerts or festivals.
It is best to reserve tickets early as they are likely to sell quickly.
Wednesday is the most common day to attend a Toronto Raptors team game. Because many fans arrive early to see pregame warmups, this is a popular day to attend a Toronto Raptors game.
Fans then head over to Nathan Phillips Square which is next to the ACC. They stay there till the end of game.
A Toronto Raptor game at 8 pm is the best time. Fans should not leave the stadium after midnight, but they should return to celebrate their team’s victory.
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