Toronto Raptors

National Basketball Association, py A Canada Centre.

T Toronto Raptors professional basketball based Toronto, Ontario. Ty p Atlantic Division Eastern Conference National Basketball Association (NBA). T established 1995, along Vancouver Grizzlies, p NBA's expansion Canada. W Grizzlies relocated Memphis, Tennessee 2001, Raptors became y Canadian NBA. Ty originally played their games SkyDome, before moving A Canada Centre (ACC) 1999.

L expansion teams, Raptors struggled their early years, after acquisition Vince Carter through draft y trade 1998, league attendance records NBA Playoffs 2000, 2001, 2002. Carter instrumental leading their first playoff series 2001, where y advanced Eastern Conference Semifinals. During 2002–03 2003–04 seasons, y failed significant progress traded 2004. After Carter left, Chris B emerged leader, y continued struggle. However, appointment Bryan Colangelo General Manager revamp roster 2006–07 season, y qualified their first playoff berth years captured their first division title.

T Toronto Raptors established 30 September 1993 NBA, p expansion Canada, awarded 28 franchise group headed y Toronto businessman J Bitove. T Raptors, along Vancouver Grizzlies, played their first games 1995, first NBA teams py Canada since 1946–47 Toronto Huskies.

Initial sentiment favour reviving Huskies nickname, management realized would nearly impossible design g Minnesota Timberwolves. A result, nationwide contest p develop their colours g. O 2,000 entries narrowed prospects: Beavers, Bobcats, Dragons, Grizzlies, Hogs, Raptors, Scorpions, T-Rx, Tarantulas, Terriers. T final selection—Toronto Raptors—was unveiled Canadian national television 15 My 1994; choice influenced y popularity Jurassic P. O 24 My 1994, team's g first General Manager (GM), Isiah Thomas revealed press conference. T team's colours bright , purple, black, silver revealed; "Naismith" silver chosen Canadian James Naismith, inventor basketball. T originally competed Central Division, before inaugural season began, sales Raptors merchandise ranked seventh league, marking successful return professional basketball Canada.

A GM, Isiah Thomas quickly staffed management positions personnel, naming g- Detroit Pistons assistant Brendan Malone Raptors' coach. T team's roster filled result expansion draft 1995. Following flip, Toronto given first choice selected Chicago Bulls point guard three-point specialist B. J. Armstrong. Armstrong refused report training Thomas promptly traded Golden State Warriors power forwards Carlos Rogers Victor Alexander. Thomas selected range players expansion draft, including veterans Jerome Kersey, Willie Anderson former Pistons teammate J "Spider" Salley.

Subsequent expansion draft, Raptors landed seventh p NBA Draft Lottery, behind their fellow 1995 expansion club, Vancouver Grizzlies. Thomas selected Damon Stoudamire, point guard University Arizona, around franchise would construct future. Y selection Stoudamire 1995 NBA Draft SkyDome Toronto, y wanted E O'Bannon UCLA, NCAA Final F MVP.

T Raptors enjoyed consistent fanbase throughout their history. F 2000 2002, Raptors league sellouts, attendances dipped slightly between 2003 2006. T improved during 2006–07 regular season, average 18,258 attended g (13 league), which translates 92.2% ACC's seating capacity. Following success 2006–07 season, Toronto became league leaders season ticket sales 2007–08 season.

T value Raptors franchise risen years. W continued popularity Raptors, value franchise US$125 million 1998 $315 million 2006 $373 million 2007, according reports y Forbes. T Raptors y NBA their television station, Raptors NBA TV. Their television ratings, however, considerably lower other established Toronto sports teams other sporting events shown Canadian television.

O g y, usually entertained y Raptor mascot, Raptors Dance P, 4 Korners Raptors Soundcrew during p-game, -outs, intervals. Giveaways usually bundled tickets encourage attendance.