Toronto Raptors

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Lore & Background

As with most expansion teams, the Raptors struggled in their early years, but after the acquisition of Vince Carter through a draft-day trade in 1998, the franchise set league-attendance records and made the NBA playoffs in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Carter was instrumental in leading the team to their first playoff series win in 2001, where they advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals. During the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, they failed to make significant progress, and Carter was traded in 2004 to the New Jersey Nets. After Carter's departure, Chris Bosh emerged as the team leader. For the 2006–07 season, Bryan Colangelo was appointed as general manager, and through a combination of Bosh, 2006 first overall draft pick Andrea Bargnani, and a revamp of the roster, the Raptors qualified for their first playoff berth in five years, capturing the Atlantic Division title. In the 2007–08 season, they also advanced to the playoffs but failed to reach the postseason in each of the next five seasons. Colangelo overhauled the team's roster for the 2009–10 season in a bid to persuade pending free agent Bosh to stay, but Bosh departed to sign with the Miami Heat in July 2010, ushering in yet another era of rebuilding for the Raptors. Masai Ujiri replaced Colangelo in 2013 and helped herald a new era of success, led by a backcourt duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. The Raptors returned to the playoffs the following year and became a consistent playoff team in every year of Ujiri's tenure. Under Ujiri, the team also won five Division titles and registered their most successful regular season in 2018. However, the team's failure to reach the NBA Finals prompted Ujiri to fire head coach Dwane Casey after the 2018 playoffs concluded and to trade DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green later that summer, as well as to acquire Marc Gasol before the trade deadline. Toronto also saw the break-out of Pascal Siakam, the 27th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, who won the NBA Most Improved Player that year. In the 2019 playoffs, the Raptors won their first Eastern Conference title and advanced to their first NBA Finals, where they won their first NBA championship. After the Raptors won their first championship, Leonard left in free agency. After Lowry's departure via trade in 2021, Siakam became the face of the franchise until 2024 when Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacer

In Their Own Story

On January 7, 2001, Oakley delivered one of the most complete individual performances of his later career against a formidable opponent. In a game where he narrowly missed a triple-double, he recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. More remarkably, he set a new personal best with 6 blocks, showcasing that his defensive instincts remained sharp well into his late thirties. This performance highlighted the unique value Oakley offered: a player who could impact every facet of the game without needing to be the primary scorer. His ability to protect the rim and distribute the ball provided a crucial floor for the young Raptors, bridging the gap between their potential and their actual on-court success during that pivotal season.

Reader's Guide

The team was founded in 1995. The Raptors originally played at SkyDome (known as Rogers Centre since 2005) from 1995 to 1999. They now play at Scotiabank Arena. Key figures include Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, and Pascal Siakam. The Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019.

Did You Know?

• The Raptors were named through a nationwide contest; the name was influenced by the popularity of the 1993 film adaptation of Jurassic Park.
• The team's colors include 'Naismith' silver, chosen to honor Canadian James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.
• The Raptors, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, played their first game on November 3, 1995.
• The Raptors are the only Canadian team in the NBA since the 2001–02 season.