1995–96 Toronto Raptors season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Toronto Raptors' first season in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Raptors, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, played their first games in 1995, and were the first NBA teams to play in Canada since the 1946–47 Toronto Huskies.[2] Former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas became the team's General Manager. In their debut on November 3, the Raptors defeated the New Jersey Nets at the SkyDome 94–79, but went on a 7-game losing streak afterwards. At midseason, the team acquired second-year forward Sharone Wright from the Philadelphia 76ers, and Doug Christie from the New York Knicks. The Raptors finished last place in the Central Division with a 21–61 record. Top draft pick Damon Stoudamire was named Rookie of The Year averaging 19.0 points, and 9.3 assists per game.

1995–96 Toronto Raptors season
Head coachBrendan Malone
OwnersJohn Bitove, Allan Slaight, Isiah Thomas
ArenaSkyDome
Copps Coliseum
Results
Record21–61 (.256)
PlaceDivision: 8th (Central)
Conference: 14th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionTSN, CKVR
RadioCFRB

Following the season, head coach Brendan Malone was fired, Tracy Murray signed as a free agent with the Washington Bullets, Oliver Miller signed with the Dallas Mavericks and former All-Star guard Alvin Robertson retired.

Offseason

Expansion draft

The team's roster was then filled as a result of an expansion draft in 1995. Following a coin flip, Toronto was given first choice and selected Chicago Bulls point guard and three-point specialist B. J. Armstrong. Armstrong refused to report for training, and Thomas promptly traded him to the Golden State Warriors for power forwards Carlos Rogers and Victor Alexander.[2] Thomas then selected a wide range of players in the expansion draft.

Pick Player Position Nationality Former Team
1 B. J. Armstrong Point guard  United States Chicago Bulls
3 Tony Massenburg Forward  United States Los Angeles Clippers
5 Andrés Guibert Forward-Centre  Cuba Minnesota Timberwolves
7 Keith Jennings Point guard  United States Golden State Warriors
9 Dontonio Wingfield Forward  United States Seattle SuperSonics
11 Doug Smith Forward  United States Dallas Mavericks
13 Jerome Kersey Small forward  United States Portland Trail Blazers
15 Žan Tabak Centre  Croatia Houston Rockets
17 Willie Anderson Guard-Forward  United States San Antonio Spurs
19 Ed Pinckney Forward  United States Milwaukee Bucks
21 Acie Earl Centre  United States Boston Celtics
23 B. J. Tyler Point guard  United States Philadelphia 76ers
25 John Salley Power forward  United States Miami Heat
27 Oliver Miller Centre  United States Detroit Pistons

NBA Draft

Subsequent to the expansion draft, Toronto was given the seventh pick, after the Vancouver Grizzlies, in the 1995 NBA draft. They selected Damon Stoudamire, a point guard out of University of Arizona, around whom Thomas chose to base the franchise. The selection of Stoudamire was met with boos from fans at the 1995 NBA Draft at the SkyDome in Toronto, many of whom wanted Ed O'Bannon of UCLA, an NCAA Final Four MVP.[2]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 7 Damon Stoudamire Point Guard  United States Arizona
2 35 Jimmy King Shooting Guard  United States Michigan

Roster
Roster listing
Toronto Raptors roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
C — Alexander, Victor  (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Iowa State
SG 13 Christie, Doug 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Pepperdine
C 55 Earl, Acie 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Iowa
PG 4 Esposito, Vincenzo 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 198 lb (90 kg)
PG — Jennings, Keith  (IN) 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 160 lb (73 kg) East Tennessee State
SG 24 King, Jimmy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Michigan
SF 44 Lewis, Martin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Seward County CC
C 30 Miller, Oliver 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 280 lb (127 kg) Arkansas
SF 35 Murray, Tracy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) UCLA
SG 7 Robertson, Alvin 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Arkansas
PF 34 Rogers, Carlos 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Tennessee State
PG 20 Stoudamire, Damon  5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 171 lb (78 kg) Arizona
C 3 Tabak, Žan 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Croatia
PG — Tyler, B. J.  (IN) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Texas
PF 23 Whitfield, Dwayne 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Jackson State
PF 9 Wright, Sharone  6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) Clemson
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster

Roster Notes
  • Center Victor Alexander missed the entire season due to an ankle injury.
  • Guard Keith Jennings missed the entire season due to a knee injury.
  • Guard B.J. Tyler missed the entire season due to nerve damage in his left knee.

The first game

The Raptors’ first ever regular season game was played on November 3, 1995, against the New Jersey Nets at the SkyDome in front of 33,306 fans. Alvin Robertson scored the first points in Raptors history, as he hit a three pointer to give Toronto an early 3-0 lead. The Raptors were led by Robertson, who scored a team high 30 points, as well as Damon Stoudamire, who had a double double in his first career game, scoring 10 points and adding 10 assists, as the Raptors defeated the Nets 94-79.[3]

Regular season

The team played its first season in the Central Division,[4] and before the inaugural season began, sales of Raptors merchandise ranked seventh in the league, marking a successful return of basketball to Canada.[2] As GM, Isiah Thomas quickly staffed the management positions with his own personnel, naming long-time Detroit Pistons assistant Brendan Malone as the Raptors' head coach.[2]

The Skydome — now the Rogers Centre — was the original arena for the Raptors between 1995–1999.

The Raptors concluded their inaugural season with a 21–61 win-loss record,[4] although they were one of the nine teams to defeat the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls,[5] who set an NBA best 72–10 win–loss regular season record. With averages of 19.0 points and 9.3 assists per game, Stoudamire also won the 1995–96 Rookie of the Year Award.[6]

Highs
  • December 10, 1995, The Raptors play the Vancouver Grizzlies for the first time. The game is held at General Motors Place in Vancouver. The Raptors win the game by a score of 93-81.
  • March 24, 1996 – The Raptors beat the eventual NBA Champion Chicago Bulls by a score of 109-108, one of only ten losses the Bulls would suffer that season. Michael Jordan attempted to win the game on the final shot. Though the ball went in, it did not count because the ball left his hand after the final buzzer.
  • March 31, 1996 – The legendary Magic Johnson played his only game against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. The Los Angeles Lakers won the game by a score of 111-106.

Stoudamire's breakout year

Stoudamire had a noteworthy rookie season with the Toronto Raptors averaging 9.3 assists and 19 points. He earned the nickname "Mighty Mouse" due to the fact he stands only 5'10" (1.77 m), and that he had a Mighty Mouse tattoo on his right arm going into his rookie season. Damon currently holds the record of having the third-highest assist average ever by a rookie, and rookie record setter for 3-pointers with 133, breaking the 3-point record previously held by Dennis Scott. Damon was ranked second in scoring among all rookies in his rookie season, and led all rookies in minutes played and assists. He received the Shick Rookie of the Month Award twice and unanimously made the Shick All Rookie First Team. That same year Stoudamire was also awarded the Rookie of the Year Award for the 1995–1996 season, receiving 76 of the 113 possible votes and the Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Rookie Game. Stoudamire holds the record for being the second-lowest draft pick (seventh overall) to ever win the Rookie of the Year Award, the lowest being Mark Jackson (eighteenth overall). Damon is also known as the shortest player at 5'10" to ever win this award. He did not play the last 10 games of his rookie season due to an injury, Tendinitis in his left knee. The Raptors went 2–8 without him and finished 21–61 in his and the Raptors' rookie season.[7]

Lows
  • November 15, 1995 – The Raptors lose to the Houston Rockets by a score of 96 – 93. The loss culminates in a seven-game losing streak for the Raptors, the longest losing streak of the season.
  • February 29, 1996 – The seven-game losing streak was duplicated. In a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the final score was 120 – 95.
  • March 29, 1996 – The Raptors suffer their worst loss of the season. The score was 126-86 in favour of the Orlando Magic. Prior to the game, Isiah Thomas and Brendan Malone got into an argument regarding playing time for rookies.

Season standings
Central Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div GP
z-Chicago Bulls 72 10 .878 0.0 39–2 33–8 24–4 82
x-Indiana Pacers 52 30 .634 20.0 32–9 20–21 19–9 82
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 51 31 .622 21.0 33–8 18–23 15–9 82
x-Atlanta Hawks 46 36 .561 26.0 26–15 20–21 15–13 82
x-Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 26.0 30–11 16–25 15–13 82
Charlotte Hornets 41 41 .500 31.0 25–16 16–25 13–15 82
Milwaukee Bucks 25 57 .305 47.0 14–27 11–30 8–20 82
Toronto Raptors 21 61 .256 51.0 15–26 6–35 5–23 82
Eastern Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 z-Chicago Bulls * 72 10 .878 – 82
2 y-Orlando Magic * 60 22 .732 12.0 82
3 x-Indiana Pacers 52 30 .634 20.0 82
4 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 51 31 .622 21.0 82
5 x-New York Knicks 47 35 .573 25.0 82
6 x-Atlanta Hawks 46 36 .561 26.0 82
7 x-Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 26.0 82
8 x-Miami Heat 42 40 .512 30.0 82
9 Charlotte Hornets 41 41 .500 31.0 82
10 Washington Bullets 39 43 .476 33.0 82
11 Boston Celtics 33 49 .402 39.0 82
12 New Jersey Nets 30 52 .366 42.0 82
13 Milwaukee Bucks 25 57 .305 47.0 82
14 Toronto Raptors 21 61 .256 51.0 82
15 Philadelphia 76ers 18 64 .220 54.0 82

Record vs. opponents
1995-96 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta —4–03–10–43–11–11–12–21–11–11–32–00–22–22–21–14–02–12–22–10–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–01–3
Boston 0–4—2–20–31–30–21–12–10–21–10–42–00–23–13–12–02–20–41–34–01–10–22–00–20–23–10–21–12–2
Charlotte 1–32–2—1–33–12–02–01–30–20–21–31–12–02–23–11–10–33–00–43–12–01–11–10–20–23–11–12–03–1
Chicago 4–03–03–1—4–02–01–14–02–02–02–22–02–03–14–02–03–03–13–14–01–12–02–02–01–13–12–02–04–0
Cleveland 1–33–11–30–4—2–01–12–22–01–12–22–02–01–34–02–01–23–11–24–02–01–11–10–20–23–10–22–03–1
Dallas 1–12–00–20–20–2—2–20–22–21–30–22–20–40–21–10–41–10–21–10–21–30–42–22–22–21–11–34–00–2
Denver 1–11–10–21–11–12–2—1–12–21–30–21–32–20–21–14–00–21–11–12–03–10–40–40–41–32–03–13–11–1
Detroit 2–21–23–10–42–22–01–1—2–01–12–22–00–21–32–21–14–00–41–34–02–02–01–12–01–14–00–22–01–2
Golden State 1–12–02–00–20–22–22–20–2—2–21–13–11–31–11–13–12–00–20–22–01–31–31–31–30–41–11–34–01–1
Houston 1–11–12–00–21–13–13–11–12–2—2–04–03–10–22–02–22–00–20–22–03–12–22–21–30–42–02–24–01–1
Indiana 3–14–03–12–22–22–02–02–21–10–2—2–01–13–03–11–11–31–32–23–11–11–10–21–12–04–00–22–03–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–10–20–22–23–10–21–30–40–2—0–41–11–13–11–11–10–22–03–12–22–21–30–40–21–33–11–1
L.A. Lakers 2–02–00–20–20–24–02–22–03–11–31–14–0—2–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–32–22–02–24–01–1
Miami 2–21–32–21–33–12–02–03–11–12–00–31–10–2—3–01–15–01–31–33–11–10–21–11–10–22–10–21–12–2
Milwaukee 2–21–31–30–40–41–11–12–21–10–21–31–10–20–3—1–11–32–21–32–10–22–00–21–10–22–20–21–11–3
Minnesota 1–10–21–10–20–24–00–41–11–32–21–11–31–31–11–1—1–10–20–21–11–30–43–11–30–41–11–32–20–2
New Jersey 0–42–23–00–32–11–12–00–40–20–23–11–10–20–53–11–1—2–20–42–20–21–11–10–20–22–20–22–02–2
New York 1–24–00–31–31–32–01–14–02–02–03–11–11–13–12–22–02–2—1–33–10–20–20–21–11–14–01–11–13–1
Orlando 2–23–14–01–32–11–11–13–12–02–02–22–01–13–13–12–04–03–1—4–02–01–11–11–11–12–11–12–04–0
Philadelphia 1–20–41–30–40–42–00–20–40–20–21–30–21–11–31–21–12–21–30–4—0–20–20–20–20–23–11–11–11–3
Phoenix 2–01–10–21–10–23–11–30–23–11–31–11–31–31–12–03–12–02–00–22–0—2–22–21–30–42–01–34–02–0
Portland 0–22–01–10–21–14–04–00–23–12–21–12–22–22–00–24–01–12–01–12–02–2—1–31–31–32–01–32–20–2
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–21–12–24–01–13–12–22–02–21–31–12–01–31–12–01–12–02–23–1—1–30–42–00–42–20–2
San Antonio 2–02–02–00–22–02–24–00–23–13–11–13–13–11–11–13–12–01–11–12–03–13–13–1—2–22–03–14–01–1
Seattle 2–02–02–01–12–02–23–11–14–04–00–24–02–22–02–04–02–01–11–12–04–03–14–02–2—1–13–13–11–1
Toronto 0–41–31–31–31–31–10–20–41–10–20–42–00–21–22–21–12–20–41–21–30–20–20–20–21–1—0–21–13–1
Utah 1–12–01–10–22–03–11–32–03–12–22–03–12–22–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–13–14–01–31–32–0—4–01–1
Vancouver 0–21–10–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–40–21–30–41–11–12–20–21–10–21–10–42–22–20–41–31–10–4—0–2
Washington 3–12–21–30–41–32–01–12–11–11–10–31–11–12–23–12–02–21–30–43–10–22–02–01–11–11–31–12–0—

Game log
1995–96 game log
November: 5–10 (Home: 4–4; Road: 1–6)
December: 4–11 (Home: 3–4; Road: 1–7)
January: 3–10 (Home: 3–5; Road: 0–5)
February: 2–10 (Home: 0–3; Road: 2–7)
March: 4–12 (Home: 3–7; Road: 1–5)
April: 3–8 (Home: 2–3; Road: 1–5)
1995–96 season schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Willie Anderson 494231.9.440.305.8563.83.01.181.0412.4
Doug Christie 321725.6.436.414.7893.82.91.81.5010.1
Acie Earl 42715.6.424.000.7193.1.6.43.887.5
Vincenzo Esposito 3009.4.360.232.795.5.8.23.003.9
Jimmy King 62114.0.431.147.7011.81.4.34.214.5
Martin Lewis 16011.8.483.286.6001.8.2.50.194.7
Tony Massenburg 242027.5.510.000.6626.9.8.54.3810.1
Oliver Miller 767233.1.526.000.6617.42.91.421.8812.9
Tracy Murray 823730.0.454.422.8314.31.61.06.4916.2
Dan O'Sullivan 5227.8.371.000.8756.4.4.40.806.6
Ed Pinckney 472421.9.502.000.7586.01.1.66.367.0
Alvin Robertson 776932.2.470.272.6774.44.22.16.479.3
Carlos Rogers 561818.6.517.143.5463.0.6.45.867.7
John Salley 25619.3.486.000.7233.91.6.44.486.0
Damon Stoudamire 707040.9.426.395.7974.09.31.40.2719.0
Žan Tabak 671819.9.543.000.5614.8.9.36.467.7
Dwayne Whitfield 8115.2.433.000.6363.1.2.38.255.0
Herb Williams 1031.0.375.000.0008.0.01.002.006.0
Sharone Wright 11627.1.508.333.6855.21.0.55.9116.5

Franchise firsts

Point: Alvin Robertson

Award winners

Transactions

Trades
September 18, 1995 To Toronto Raptors
Victor Alexander
Martin Lewis
Michael McDonald
Carlos Rogers
Dwayne Whitfield		 To Golden State Warriors
B. J. Armstrong
February 18, 1996 To Toronto Raptors
Doug Christie
Herb Williams
Cash		 To New York Knicks
Victor Alexander
Willie Anderson
February 22, 1996 To Toronto Raptors
Sharone Wright		 To Philadelphia 76ers
Tony Massenburg
Ed Pinckney
1996 second-round pick
1997 second-round pick

Free agents
Additions
Player Date signed Former team
Alvin Robertson October 5 Detroit Pistons
Thomas Hamilton October 6 none
Tracy Murray November 1 Houston Rockets
Dwayne Whitfield February 23 Golden State Warriors
Dan O'Sullivan (10-day) April 9 Shreveport Storm (CBA)
Subtractions
Player Date signed New Team
Doug Smith October 4 Boston Celtics
Jerome Kersey Golden State Warriors
Thomas Hamilton October 18 Boston Celtics
Dwayne Whitfield November 2 Toronto Raptors
John Salley February 2 Chicago Bulls
Herb Williams February 23 New York Knicks
Dan O'Sullivan April 18 Scavolini Pesaro (Italy)

References
  1. 1995-96 Toronto Raptors
  2. Laying the Groundwork for the NBA in Toronto, nba.com/raptors, accessed 16 June 2007.
  3. New Jersey Nets at Toronto Raptors, basketball-reference.com, 3 November 1995, accessed 20 August 2015.
  4. 1995-96 Standings Archived 2012-01-27 at WebCite, nba.com/history, accessed 16 June 2007.
  5. Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors, basketball-reference.com, 24 March 1996, accessed 16 June 2007.
  6. Damon Stoudamire Info Page Archived 2007-07-12 at the Wayback Machine, nba.com, accessed 16 June 2007.
  7. "Rookie Award To Stoudamire". New York Times. May 16, 1996. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
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