The Toronto Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 as an expansion team alongside the Western Conference’s Vancouver Grizzlies. source
The Toronto Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 as an expansion team alongside the Western Conference’s Vancouver Grizzlies.
The Toronto Raptors acquired its first superstar, guard-forward Vince Carter, in a 1998 draft-day trade. A five-time all-star for Toronto, source
The Toronto Raptors acquired its first superstar, guard-forward Vince Carter, in a 1998 draft-day trade. A five-time all-star for Toronto,
The Toronto Raptors returned to the postseason in 2006–07, with a team featuring standout centre-forward Chris Bosh. source
The Toronto Raptors returned to the postseason in 2006–07, with a team featuring standout centre-forward Chris Bosh.
The Toronto Raptors were established on November 4, 1993, when the NBA, as part of its expansion into Canada, source
The Toronto Raptors were established on November 4, 1993, when the NBA, as part of its expansion into Canada,
Awarded its 28th franchise to a group headed by the Toronto Raptors businessman John Bitove for a then-record expansion fee of C$125 million US. source
Awarded its 28th franchise to a group headed by the Toronto Raptors businessman John Bitove for a then-record expansion fee of C$125 million US.
In the team's first official NBA game, Alvin Robertson scored the first NBA points in the Toronto Raptors history, while Stoudamire recorded 10 points and 10 assists in a 94–79 victory over the New Jersey Nets. source
In the team's first official NBA game, Alvin Robertson scored the first NBA points in the Toronto Raptors history, while Stoudamire recorded 10 points and 10 assists in a 94–79 victory over the New Jersey Nets.
The Toronto Raptors were one of only 11 teams to topple the eventual 1997 Champions, the Chicago Bulls. source
The Toronto Raptors were one of only 11 teams to topple the eventual 1997 Champions, the Chicago Bulls.
During the 1999 NBA draft, believing that the Toronto Raptors still lacked a strong frontcourt presence, Grunwald traded first-round draft pick Jonathan Bender for power forward Antonio Davis of the Indiana Pacers source
During the 1999 NBA draft, believing that the Toronto Raptors still lacked a strong frontcourt presence, Grunwald traded first-round draft pick Jonathan Bender for power forward Antonio Davis of the Indiana Pacers
In the 2000 off-season, free agent McGrady opted to leave the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal worth $67.5 million over six years, while giving a conditional draft pick as part of the agreement to the Orlando Magic, for a first-round draft pick. source
In the 2000 off-season, free agent McGrady opted to leave the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal worth $67.5 million over six years, while giving a conditional draft pick as part of the agreement to the Orlando Magic, for a first-round draft pick.
Despite the Toronto Raptors's improved defensive performances, Carter's offence was sorely missed in the first-round series against the second-seeded Detroit Pistons source
Despite the Toronto Raptors's improved defensive performances, Carter's offence was sorely missed in the first-round series against the second-seeded Detroit Pistons
The 2002–03 season began with the same optimism that the Toronto Raptors exhibited in three consecutive playoff seasons, although it faded early. source
The 2002–03 season began with the same optimism that the Toronto Raptors exhibited in three consecutive playoff seasons, although it faded early.
Canadian country singer Shania Twain helped launch the new red the Toronto Raptors alternate road uniform at the start of the 2003–04 season. source
Canadian country singer Shania Twain helped launch the new red the Toronto Raptors alternate road uniform at the start of the 2003–04 season.
a local entrepreneur, to get an NBA franchise to Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1980s, but had failed. source
a local entrepreneur, to get an NBA franchise to Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1980s, but had failed.
owner of the Vancouver Grizzlies Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) through Northwest Sports Enterprises. source
owner of the Vancouver Grizzlies Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) through Northwest Sports Enterprises.
Announced in February 1993 that he hoped to bring an NBA franchise to Vancouver Grizzlies. source
Announced in February 1993 that he hoped to bring an NBA franchise to Vancouver Grizzlies.
Every year, except the 1998–99 season, the Vancouver Grizzlies played the Raptors in the pre-season Naismith Cup. source
Every year, except the 1998–99 season, the Vancouver Grizzlies played the Raptors in the pre-season Naismith Cup.
The Vancouver Grizzlies first official contest was against the Portland Trail Blazers; both the first game and the following game against the Timberwolves were won. source
The Vancouver Grizzlies first official contest was against the Portland Trail Blazers; both the first game and the following game against the Timberwolves were won.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim was selected third overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1996 Draft. source
Shareef Abdur-Rahim was selected third overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1996 Draft.
Vancouver Grizzlies traded for Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers on 16 July 1996. source
Vancouver Grizzlies traded for Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers on 16 July 1996.
Abdur-Rahim made an immediate impact playing for the Vancouver Grizzlies, becoming the team's leading scorer while setting a franchise record of 18.7 points per game (ppg). source
Abdur-Rahim made an immediate impact playing for the Vancouver Grizzlies, becoming the team's leading scorer while setting a franchise record of 18.7 points per game (ppg).
The 1997–98 season saw the hiring of Brian Hill as head coach. In the draft, Vancouver Grizzlies selected Antonio Daniels with the fourth pick. source
The 1997–98 season saw the hiring of Brian Hill as head coach. In the draft, Vancouver Grizzlies selected Antonio Daniels with the fourth pick.
Ahead of the 1998–99 Vancouver Grizzlies season, the Grizzlies signed free agent Cherokee Parks, and traded Daniels for the Spurs' Felipe López and Carl Herrera. source
Ahead of the 1998–99 Vancouver Grizzlies season, the Grizzlies signed free agent Cherokee Parks, and traded Daniels for the Spurs' Felipe López and Carl Herrera.
In the draft, the Vancouver Grizzlies selected Mike Bibby with the second overall pick. source
In the draft, the Vancouver Grizzlies selected Mike Bibby with the second overall pick.
The Vancouver Grizzlies had second pick in the 1999 draft. Despite having a good point guard in Bibby, they selected Steve Francis. source
The Vancouver Grizzlies had second pick in the 1999 draft. Despite having a good point guard in Bibby, they selected Steve Francis.
For the 2000–01 season, the team's final season in the Vancouver Grizzlies, Sidney Lowe was hired as head coach. source
For the 2000–01 season, the team's final season in the Vancouver Grizzlies, Sidney Lowe was hired as head coach.
The team's final game as the Vancouver Grizzlies was a 95–81 win against the Golden State Warriors on 18 April 2001. source
The team's final game as the Vancouver Grizzlies was a 95–81 win against the Golden State Warriors on 18 April 2001.
The Houston Rockets won only 15 games in their debut season as a franchise in 1967. source
The Houston Rockets won only 15 games in their debut season as a franchise in 1967.
In the 1968 NBA draft, the The Houston Rockets selected power forward Elvin Hayes first overall, who would lead the team to its first playoff appearance in his rookie season. source
In the 1968 NBA draft, the The Houston Rockets selected power forward Elvin Hayes first overall, who would lead the team to its first playoff appearance in his rookie season.
The Houston Rockets did not finish a season with a winning record until the 1976–77 season, source
The Houston Rockets did not finish a season with a winning record until the 1976–77 season,
The Houston Rockets continued to reach the playoffs throughout the 1980s, but failed to advance past the second round for the rest of the decade. source
The Houston Rockets continued to reach the playoffs throughout the 1980s, but failed to advance past the second round for the rest of the decade.
