The Final Road Trip | Raptors Today

By Robert Dodds March 30, 2023 29 mins read 630 Views

We believe in Raptors culture, one of hard work, resilience and optimism. We trust Masai Ujiri, the current team GM and his masterful vision for our current roster and their destiny as a championship-contending team.

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.

You can email us at [email protected] with any content suggestions or ideas - we want your take on Canada's most loved basketball team!

"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

When was the Raptors their first game?

The Raptors' first regular season was played at the SkyDome against the New Jersey Nets, November 3, 1995. Alvin Robertson scored the franchise's first points with 33,306 supporters in attendance. The Raptors defeated Nets in 94-79. Contributions from Damon Stoudamire (10 and 10 assists), as well as Robertson (30 pts) were key.

Vancouver had 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 is home to the Toronto Raptors, the local NBA team. In addition, other professional basketball teams play in and around the Greater Vancouver Area, such as the BC Tigers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League and the Vancouver Volcanoes of the International Basketball League. Numerous amateur and semiprofessional basketball teams participate in various local leagues.

Vancouver has many recreational opportunities for basketball fans. Vancouver Grizzlies Alumni Association aims to help former players connect with each other, and raise awareness about the game in British Columbia. They host clinics for young players and offer viewing parties for Raptors games.

The city's passion for basketball has not diminished after the departure of the Grizzlies. It continues to support the sport in many ways. Vancouverites are still passionate about basketball and continue to support the many initiatives of former players and other organizations that promote basketball in the city.

What was the first year of existence of the Toronto Raptors in 1985?

It was difficult for the Toronto Raptors to make it in the NBA's first season. Brendan Malone was hired as the head coach and Isiah THOMAS became GM. In 1995, the Raptors were established. Many talented players were drafted and traded for. The Raptors defeated the Chicago Bulls once in that season but finished the season with a 21-61 record.

In 1996, Toronto drafted Marcus Camby, who became Rookie of the Year and formed part of the starting line-up with Alvin Williams at point guard. Damon Stoudamire, who was later traded, was also traded. Toronto tried to build a foundation to succeed in the future by making more roster changes.

Despite all of these changes, the team struggled through its first few seasons in NBA. Toronto finally reached the playoffs in 2000, after much rebuilding and transition. But it was defeated by the New York Knicks.

Who is the owner of Toronto Raptors?

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the owners of this team, owns it. MLSE also has the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the MLS's Toronto FC and CFL's Toronto Argonauts. They also own the AHL's Toronto Marlies and Toronto Rock lacrosse team.

How did they win the NBA title 2019?

DeMar DeRozan was traded to Toronto Raptors by Jakob Poltl (protected 2019 first-round draft pick) and a Toronto Raptors player in return for Kawhi Leonard.

On February 7, 2019, Jonas Valanciunas C.J. was traded by the Raptors to the Memphis Grizzlies. Miles and a 2024 second-round pick from the draft to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marc Gasol, another multiple All-Star and former Defensive Players of the Year. Jeremy Lin was signed shortly thereafter.

The Toronto Raptors had an extremely exciting offseason. Two major trades sent shockwaves through NBA. DeMar DeRozan was traded first to the Raptors, Jakob Poltl was traded second and a first-round draft pick for 2019 (that was still protected) was sent to San Antonio Spurs. They received Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs in exchange. Then, they traded Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright C. J. Miles, and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol--another multiple All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year. These moves placed the Raptors into a formidable position to compete in the NBA title race this season. Let's look at each trade.

Kawhi Leonard's trade was a risk-reward deal for the Raptors. On the one hand, Leonard is a top-5 player in the league when healthy and is coming off of an MVP-caliber season. But, injury limited Leonard to just 9 games last season, and there are doubts about his long term health. The Raptors decided the reward was worth taking the chance and signed the deal. Leonard has been performing at an All-Star level so far. He has been in good health. Leonard is averaging 26 point, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per contest while shooting 49% from 3-point range and 38% from the field. He is a true threat to the Raptors' chances of winning an NBA championship if he stays healthy.

Marc Gasol made a trade for Marc Gasol, but it was a very short-term one. Gasol is in his mid-30s and is clearly past his prime. However, he is still a very good player who brings valuable experience to a young Raptors team. He averages 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per contest while shooting 45% from 3-point range and 34% from the field. C.J., Delon Wright and other young talents were given up by the Raptors. Miles to acquire Gasol, but they believe his experience will be invaluable come playoff time.

The Raptors began the season strong with a 6-0 win. They broke the franchise record for winning 16 consecutive games, which was set by a record 16-4 record. On November 23, the Raptors won their 24th game against Cleveland Cavaliers. They also reached 20 wins faster than any other time in their history. To avoid further injury, Leonard was rested by the Raptors for more than 20 games. However, they still managed to snag the 2nd seed in East--only trailing behind Milwaukee Bucks.

The Raptors were able to continue their winning streak in the playoffs by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers (Orlando Magic), Milwaukee Bucks (Milwaukee Bucks) to reach the NBA Finals. Leonard was named Finals' MVP as the Raptors won the first title against the Golden State Warriors.

The Toronto Raptors' offseason was a success, and it has paid off. With two All-Stars on the roster, the Raptors are poised to be contenders for years to come. They have shown that they are capable of taking risks and making bold moves, even if it means building a championship-level team. It will be exciting to see if this team can continue their success.

Statistics

Thomas named Raptors' GM NBA superstar to have 10% stake in the new franchise". (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)
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)

External Links

How To

Can I bring my digital camera to a Raptors home game?

You'll be fine if you stick to the plan and follow the rules. You can bring your camera to any NBA game. You don't have to do anything illegal. It is important to be aware that there are risks.

You must first consider whether or not you are allowed to take photos during the game. If you sit near the courtside, you can capture great shots without needing a large DSLR or smartphone.

If you are serious about sports photography and want to get more photos to add to your portfolio, you should check these tips for better basketball shots.

The second thing you need to think about is the kind of camera you're going to use. You will need a professional-grade digital camera if your goal is to capture action shots or memorable moments with friends.

Also, you need to consider how much time it will take to set up your shot. Consider investing in a tripod, remote release, and other equipment if you are shooting hoops with children.

The final step is to decide where to store your gear. After all, you can't expect to set up shop at the arena and hope that someone will hand you a memory card when you're done. You will need to either bring extra batteries, cables, SD cards, or find somewhere to store your stuff while you watch the game.

You must plan in advance if you want to capture high-quality photographs of sporting events. It will allow you to capture amazing images that you can share with others.

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