Being the only NBA team from Canada, the Toronto Raptors have always been viewed as underdogs, a team that will contend at their best but still come up short and for years that had been the case. All that changed in 2019 when the Raptors, led by former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard brought home their first NBA title after beating the Steph Curry led Golden State Warriors in six games.
However, since their title run, the Raptors roster has undergone significant changes. The team has drafted three first-round picks in Malachi Flynn, Scottie Barnes, and Grady Dick along with five second-round picks and retained all of their first round picks from the five previous drafts.
The Raptors also signed 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP Dennis Schroder along with appointing former Grizzlies assistant coach Darko Rajakovic as their new head coach. Pascal Siakam continues to shine for the team, and averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in the 2022/23 season.
Toronto Raptors NBA Debut
The Toronto Raptors made their NBA debut in 1995 alongside the Vancouver Grizzlies as part of the National Basketball Association’s expansion into Canada. The decision to have a basketball team in Toronto rather than cities like Winnipeg, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa made more sense since the fan base and interest in the sport of basketball was more present in Toronto.
The city previously had a basketball team known as the Toronto Huskies which played in the inaugural NBA (then BAA) season before being scrapped.
The idea to expand rekindled in the late 1970s with the former NBA Commissioner David Stern also being on board with the idea, describing the possible expansion into Toronto as quote “a safe step”. The NBA even tested the idea with two exhibition games in 1989 and 1992, both of which drew massive crowds of over 20,000 each time. After the league received applications and requests from multiple interested parties based in Toronto, they (NBA) ran their process and formalized the team on November 4, 1993.
Where do the Raptors play their home games?
The Raptors play their games in the Scotiabank Arena. Formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, it is also the home of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. Before moving to their current home arena in 1999, the Raptors played their home games at the Rogers Centre (previously known as the SkyDome) after their formation in 1995.
Which division do the Raptors compete in?
The Toronto Raptors compete in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team previously competed in the Central Division after debuting in 1995 and moved to the Atlantic Division in 2004.
FAQs
A. The Vancouver Grizzlies. The Grizzlies eventually moved to Memphis in 2001 due to dwindling attendance and revenue.
A. The Raptors have been in the NBA for 29 seasons.
A. The Raptors have qualified for the playoffs 13 times till date.
A. The Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019 after beating the Golden State Warriors 4-2 in the Finals.
