Toronto Raptors · Franchise era 1 of 7
The expansion Raptors: the Toronto Raptors story
Franchise era
1995–96—1997–98
The expansion Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The story in one sentence
Stoudamire gave the new franchise immediate credibility as it built an audience and navigated its early roster.
Basketball takes root in Canada
Damon Stoudamire, Doug Christie and Marcus Camby gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for vinsanity.
Timeline
How it unfolded
The foundation
The franchise context
Toronto grew from expansion curiosity into a national institution through Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, the Lowry–DeRozan continuity and the bold Kawhi Leonard trade that delivered a title.
1995–96—1997–98
The expansion Raptors
Stoudamire gave the new franchise immediate credibility as it built an audience and navigated its early roster.
After 1997–98
What came next
Carter's aerial brilliance transformed the Raptors into a global attraction and brought them within one shot of the 2001 conference finals.
The core