HISTORY - TIMELINE
APRIL
23, 1993:
The
National Basketball Association announces it has received a formal
application for expansion from Professional Basketball
Franchise (Canada), Inc. (PBF), comprised of John I. Bitove of
Bitove Investments, Inc., Allan Slaight of Standard Broadcasting Limited, Borden Osmak of The Bank of
Nova Scotia, Phil Granovsky of Atlantic Packaging, Ltd., and
former Ontario Premier David Peterson, who serves as the group's
Chairperson.
JULY
29, 1993:
Members
of the NBA's expansion committee visit Toronto to meet with
representatives of PBF.
SEPTEMBER
30, 1993:
The
NBA expansion committee announces its recommendation that PBF be
awarded an expansion franchise for the 1995-96 season, to become
the 28th team in the NBA and the first expansion franchise outside
of the United States.
NOVEMBER
4, 1993: The
NBA Board of Governors officially grants Toronto an NBA expansion
franchise under the ownership of PBF, with John I. Bitove as team
president.
MAY
15, 1994:
The
Toronto Raptors Basketball Club Inc. officially begins the
18-month countdown to its first tip-off in November 1995 by
unveiling its name, logo and colours (Raptor Red, purple, black
and Naismith Silver).
MAY
24, 1994:
Isiah
Thomas is introduced as Vice President, Basketball of Toronto
Raptors.
DECEMBER
21, 1994:
Franchise
receives 50 per cent deposits on 15,127 season tickets for 1995-96
season at SkyDome.
DECEMBER
21, 1994:
Plans
are unveiled for a 22,500-seat stadium at 40 Bay Street site in
downtown Toronto; letter of intent signed with Canada Post, owners
of lakeshore-fronting property.
DECEMBER
23, 1994:
Raptors
Foundation helps Toronto Star Santa Fund reach $900,000 goal with
$51,000 donation the first official community contribution by NBA
team's charitable fund-raising umbrella.
FEBRUARY
1, 1995: Toronto
Raptors unveil official uniforms at BCE Place in Toronto, with
international launch February 3 at the "Super Show" in
Atlanta.
FEBRUARY
24, 1995:
Toronto
Raptors announce naming of new home as "Air Canada Centre".
Billed as one of the most significant partnerships of a Canadian
sporting enterprise, the arena will be completed in early 1999.
MAY
16, 1995:
Raptors
sign closing documents to make the team members in full of the
NBA.
MAY
26-28, 1995:
Raptors
hold first free-agent training camp at Seneca College, Toronto.
JUNE
2, 1995: Raptors
name Brendan Malone, a veteran of 26 years in the coaching
profession including nine years in the NBA, as the first head
coach.
JUNE
16, 1995:
Following
a coin toss held at the NBA office in New York with
representatives of the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies on
hand, Raptors will pick seventh in the 1995 NBA Draft and first in
the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft.
JUNE
24, 1995:
B.J.
Armstrong of the Chicago Bulls headlines a roster of 14 players
selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft.
JUNE
28, 1995:
Raptors
pick 5-foot-10 point guard Damon Stoudamire of the University of
Arizona seventh in the 1995 NBA Draft first round, followed by
Jimmy King of the University of Michigan in the second round.
Staged at SkyDome, this is the first time the draft was
held outside of the United States and drew a record crowd of
21,168.
OCTOBER
6-12, 1995:
Toronto
Raptors hold their first-ever training camp at Copps Coliseum in
Hamilton.
OCTOBER
14, 1995:
The
Raptors play their first preseason game at the Halifax Metro
Centre, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 120-107. Toronto will
play all eight of its preseason contests in Canada, four in
Toronto as well as Saint John, NB, Saskatoon, and in Winnipeg,
versus the Vancouver Grizzlies in the first Naismith Cup.
NOVEMBER
1995: The
team officially establishes the Raptors Foundation, a charitable
organization dedicated to working with registered charities for
the betterment of youth.
NOVEMBER
2, 1995: Toronto
Raptors announce their 12-man active roster that will open their
inaugural season. The opening day lineup includes Victor
Alexander, Willie Anderson, Acie Earl, Jimmy King, Oliver Miller,
Tracy Murray, Ed Pinckney, Alvin Robertson, Carlos Rogers, John
Salley, Damon Stoudamire and Zan Tabak.
NOVEMBER
3, 1995: The
NBA makes its historic return to Canada as the Toronto Raptors
defeat the New Jersey Nets, 94-79, before a record crowd of 33,306
gathered at the SkyDome in Toronto.
FEBRUARY
10, 1996:
Damon
Stoudamire receives the MVP award for the Schick Rookie Game at
the All-Star Weekend in San Antonio.
MARCH
24, 1996:
The
NBA season-high for attendance takes place at SkyDome as 36,131
witness the Raptors defeat the first place Chicago Bulls, 109-108.
APRIL
22, 1996:
One
day after the first season ends, with the Raptors posting a 21-61
record, Darrell Walker is named the new head coach of the Raptors
as Brendan Malone steps down from his position due to
philosophical differences with the team.
MAY
15, 1996:
Damon
Stoudamire receives the 1995-96 Schick Rookie of the Year Award.
NOVEMBER
1, 1996: The
Toronto Raptors begin their second NBA season hosting the New York
Knicks, 50 years to the day the Toronto Huskies hosted the Knicks
in the first-ever game in NBA history. New York won both times,
prevailing 107-99 this year.
NOVEMBER
15, 1996:
Slaight
Investments, Inc. takes majority control of the Toronto Raptors
Basketball Club Inc. after buying out Bitove Investments, Inc.
NOVEMBER
22, 1996:
The
Raptors appoint Richard Peddie as new team president and chief
operating officer.
MARCH
12, 1997:
Raptors
officially break ground at Air Canada Centre site at 40 Bay St.
APRIL
28, 1997:
The
first concrete is poured for Air Canada Centre’s foundation.
NOVEMBER
20, 1997:
The
team announces that Isiah Thomas, Executive Vice President,
Basketball has resigned his position with the club and will sell
his nine percent ownership stake to majority owner Allan Slaight.
Glen Grunwald is promoted to General Manager.
FEBRUARY
12, 1998:
Maple
Leaf Gardens, Ltd. announces its purchase of the Toronto Raptors
Basketball Club Inc. and the Air Canada Centre.
FEBRUARY
13, 1998:
The
Raptors announce a six-player deal with the Portland Trail Blazers
at the same time that head coach Darrell Walker steps down from
his position to be replaced by Butch Carter on an interim basis.
FEBRUARY
18, 1998:
Toronto
announces the largest trade in club history, a seven-player deal
with Boston.
MARCH
10, 1998:
The
Board of Directors of Maple Leaf Gardens, Ltd. names Richard
Peddie as President and CEO of the transition team that will
oversee the construction of the Air Canada Centre and the
management of the Raptors and Maple Leafs. The post is made
permanent on October 6.
MARCH
27, 1998:
The
NBA unanimously approves the sale of the Raptors to Maple Leaf
Gardens, Ltd.
APRIL
22, 1998:
Maple
Leaf Gardens, Ltd. announces the company’s purchase of the
Raptors and Air Canada Centre has been completed.
JULY
1, 1998: Maple
Leaf Gardens, Ltd. is renamed Maple Leaf Sports &
Entertainment Ltd., the parent company of the Raptors, the Toronto
Maple Leafs of the NHL, Air Canada Centre and Maple Leaf Gardens.
JANUARY
21, 1999:
The
Raptors hold training camp at Air Canada Centre for the first
time.
FEBRUARY
21, 1999:
The
Raptors play their first game at Air Canada Centre, defeating the
Vancouver Grizzlies, 102-87, in front of a sellout crowd of
19,800.
MAY
26, 1999:
Vince
Carter is named the Schick NBA Rookie of the Year.
SEPTEMBER
30, 1999:
The
team unveils its new uniforms for the start of the 1999-2000
season.
OCTOBER
5, 1999: The
Raptors begin training camp for their first full season at Air
Canada Centre.
FEBRUARY
13, 2000:
Vince
Carter becomes the first Raptor to start and play in the All-Star
Game as he accumulates more votes than any other player. The day
before he won the Slam Dunk Contest.
APRIL
12, 2000:
The
Raptors qualify for the NBA playoffs for the first time in club
history.
APRIL
30, 2000:
The
Raptors host their first-ever playoff game, falling 87-80 to the
Knicks, ending the series in three games.
JUNE
21, 2000:
Lenny
Wilkens, the winningest coach in NBA history, is named the new
head coach of the Raptors.
JANUARY
16, 2001:
Raptors
tie an NBA record with only three turnovers in a 114-99 loss to
the Houston Rockets.
JANUARY
19, 2001:
Lenny
Wilkens records his 1,200th NBA win with a 101-79 victory over the
visiting Washington Wizards.
JANUARY
27, 2001:
For
the second consecutive year, Vince Carter receives the most fan
votes for the NBA All-Star Game (1,717,687).
FEBRUARY
10, 2001:
Morris
Peterson becomes the third Raptor to play in the Schick NBA Rookie
Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Washington D.C.
FEBRUARY
11, 2001:
Vince
Carter and Antonio Davis start for the Eastern Conference at the
NBA All-Star Game in Washington, D.C.
FEBRUARY
20, 2001:
Mark
Jackson records his 9,062nd career assist vs. Golden State to
surpass Isiah Thomas for fourth on the NBA all-time assists chart.
FEBRUARY
28, 2001:
Charles
Oakley becomes the Raptors’ all-time leading rebounder pulling
down 11 boards at Atlanta, surpassing Doug Christie’s mark of
1,448.
MARCH
2, 2001: Vince
Carter becomes the Raptors’ all-time leading scorer surpassing
Doug Christie (4,448).
MARCH
4, 2001: Vince
Carter is named NBA Player of the Week averaging 31.8 points, 6.5
rebounds and 4.8 assists leading the Raptors to four consecutive
victories.
MARCH
23, 2001:
The
Raptors set an NBA record for most blocks in a game with 23 vs.
Atlanta.
APRIL
3, 2001: The
Raptors defeat the Sixers 100-85 to secure their second
consecutive trip to the post-season.
APRIL
17, 2001:
The
Raptors play their last home game in front of a franchise-best
27th sellout.
APRIL
18, 2001:
Toronto
defeats Washington 98-92 to set a franchise record for wins in a
season at 47.
APRIL
26, 2001:
Toronto
records first playoff win defeating the New York Knicks 94-74 at
Madison Square Garden.
MAY 4,
2001: Toronto
wins first playoff series with a 93-89 win in Game Five at Madison
Square Garden.
MAY
18, 2001:
The Raptors defeated
Philadelphia 101-89 to tie the Eastern Conference Semifinal at 3-3
in front of an overcapacity crowd of 20,499 - the largest
attendance for a sporting event at Air Canada Centre.
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