When Did the Raptors Join the NBA?
The Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 as an expansion team. Prior to that, they were known as the Toronto Huskies and played in the Basketball Association of America.
The Raptors Join the NBA
The Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 as an expansion team. The Raptors were the first Canadian team in the NBA. Toronto was awarded an expansion franchise on September 30, 1993, becoming the NBA’s 27th franchise.
The Raptors join the NBA in 1995
The Raptors join the NBA in 1995 as an expansion team. They are one of the three Canadian teams in the league, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Montreal Expos. The Raptors are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and the Toronto FC (MLS). The team’s home games are played at Air Canada Centre, which they share with the Maple Leafs.
The Raptors are the first Canadian team in the NBA
The Raptors are the first Canadian team in the NBA. They joined the league in 1995 as an expansion team along with the Vancouver Grizzlies. The team is based in Toronto, Ontario, and plays its home games at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the NBA.
The Raptors Early Years
The Raptors were founded in 1995, and they were Toronto’s first NBA team. They joined the league as an expansion team alongside the Vancouver Grizzlies. The team was originally owned by John Bitove Jr., and their first draft pick was Damon Stoudamire. In their first season, they finished with a record of 21-61.
The Raptors struggle in their early years
The Raptors struggled in their early years, failing to make the playoffs in their first five seasons of existence. In fact, it wasn’t until the 2000-2001 season that the Raptors made their first trip to the playoffs. That year, they swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round before losing to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks in the second round.
The Raptors make the playoffs for the first time in 2000
In their fifth season, the Raptors posted a 48–34 record, their best in franchise history. With a core of Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady, Marcus Camby and Charles Oakley, the team finished second in the Central Division behind the Miami Heat. They also set an NBA record for most games lost by a team that still made the playoffs with 14. The Raptors faced the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs and lost in five games.
The Raptors Recent Years
The Toronto Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 as an expansion team. The Raptors had a rough start, posting a 21-61 record in their first season. However, the Raptors slowly improved and made the playoffs for the first time in 2000. Since then, the Raptors have been a consistent playoff team. They even made the NBA Finals in 2019, but lost to the Golden State Warriors.
The Raptors become one of the best teams in the NBA
The Raptors have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the past few seasons. They have won the NBA championship in 2019, and they were runners-up in 2020. They have also made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons.
The Raptors win their first NBA Championship in 2019
In 2019, the Toronto Raptors made history by winning their first NBA Championship. They did so by defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games, becoming the first Canadian team to ever win the NBA Finals. The Raptors were founded in 1995 as an expansion team, and they made their debut in the NBA in the 1996-97 season.
Since then, the Raptors have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA. They have made the playoffs 14 times, including five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. In addition to their 2019 Championship, they have also won five Atlantic Division titles and two Eastern Conference championships.
