Only The Biggest Toronto Raptors Fans Can Score 100% On This Quiz
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Sports
As the only Canadian team in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Toronto Raptors have perhaps the largest fan base in the league. Despite Toronto primarily being a hockey market, the city has proven itself passionate about basketball - and the Raptors - in recent years as it consistently sells out home games and packs the streets in Maple Leafs Square (also known as Jurassic Park) to watch Raptors playoff games. It's not just the city of Toronto that is behind the team; it's the entire country. The Raptors have done an admirable job of creating buzz throughout the country by playing exhibition games in British Columbia and Alberta in recent years and, over a decade ago, the team even visited St. John's, Newfoundland, but the game was cancelled due to poor court conditions.
Regardless, the team has grown immensely in popularity throughout the past decade, especially with the success of the team's current core. They might not match the popularity of the Maple Leafs or the Blue Jays, but both of those teams have been around much longer. If the Raptors can bring a championship to Toronto, there's no doubt they would cement their status as Canada's team. But how much do you already know about the Raptors?
In what year did the Raptors join the NBA?
Unlike the National Hockey League, the NBA hasn't been as active on the expansion front in recent years and has been content with its 30-team league. The Raptors were announced as the league's 28th team during the early 1990s and officially joined the league in this year. The Toronto business group headed by John Bitove and Allan Slaight were required to pay a then-record expansion fee of $125 million to join the league. The group subsequently held a nationwide contest to name the team.
Who is this player?
A one-time Slam Dunk Contest winner, eight-time NBA All-Star, and former Rookie of the Year, this shooting guard and small forward played college ball with the University of North Carolina and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the fifth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, but was subsequently traded to the Raptors, where he became a star. He is credited with helping the rise of Canada Basketball by inspiring a generation of young players. The 40 year old is currently in his 19th season in the league.
Which film did the team adopt its name from?
Asking for fan submissions to name a professional sports team is almost never a good idea, especially in the age of social media, but it was the route the Toronto franchise took when its leaders were awarded the team. They initially wanted to adopt the name of Toronto's previous NBA team that played one season in the 1940s (question on that later), but there was concerns the logo would be too similar to that of another franchise. Instead, a fan submission based on this popular film in the mid-1990s was selected as the name.
Who is this player?
This player helped the Raptors franchise recover from the Vince Carter era and the awful trade that ended it. A native of Dallas, Texas, the 6-foot-11 power forward was selected fourth overall by the Raptors in the 2003 NBA Draft and played seven seasons with the team, averaging 20.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He joined the Miami Heat as a free agent along with good friend LeBron James in 2010 and won two championships with the team. He was forced to retire following the 2015-16 season due to blood clots.
In what division do the Raptors play?
The NBA has two conferences with three divisions each, although the divisions mean very little in regard to standings since the league updated its playoff format to remove the idea of division winners securing a top-three conference spot regardless of whether or not they had one of the three best records. Teams still play teams within their division more than others and the Raptors have been relatively successful in their division, especially in recent years. They have won their division four times, including in three of the past four years.
Which other Canadian team joined the NBA with the Raptors?
The Toronto Raptors might be the league's only Canadian team, but they weren't for a period of six seasons. This Canadian franchise joined the league the same time as the Raptors, but struggled immensely both on and off the court. The franchise won only 15 games in its inaugural season and followed that up with 14 the following year. It recorded its best season with a 23-win campaign in its final year in the Canadian city before relocating to Memphis. Poor attendance and a weakening Canadian dollar also didn't help its chances of survival.
Who is this player?
A native of Lithuania, this 7-foot center was selected fifth overall by the Raptors in the 2011 NBA Draft and joined the team a season later for the start of the 2012-13 season. He was named a member of the 2012-13 All-Rookie team after averaging 8.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game and, while he has improved slightly in subsequent seasons, his development has been somewhat disappointing. Now in his sixth season, he's averaging 10.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in only 20 minutes per game.
Who was the team's first general manager?
The naming of the Toronto Raptors was a unique televised event on May 24, 1994. In addition to the name of the franchise, owners also debuted its logo as well as its first ever general manager, a former player who had tremendous on-court success with the Detroit Pistons. He was also offered an opportunity to purchase a stake in the team and did so the following year, buying a 4.5 percent share in the team for under market value. He later purchased an additional 4.5 percent share.
Who did the team select with its first draft pick?
The Raptors original roster was comprised of cast offs from other teams selected in the expansion draft. Forgettable players on the team in that first season included Jerome Kersey, Carlos Rogers, and John Salley. You probably don't remember any of those players, but you shouldn't have a hard time remembering the franchise's first ever draft pick, a point guard out of Arizona who later earned the nickname Mighty Mouse. He was undeniably the Raptors' most exciting player through two-and-a-half seasons, but was dealt to the Portland Trailblazers in 1998.
How many wins did the team record in its first season?
As expected, the Raptors were pretty brutal in their first season, although not as awful as the Vancouver Grizzlies. The team finished the season with a record well below .500, but it wasn't a completely miserable year. Fans were able to watch the development of promising rookie Damon Stoudemire and, most notably, watched as the Raptors handed the Chicago Bulls one of its 10 losses on the season. The Bulls posted an all-time best record of 72-10 that season (later beaten by the Golden State Warriors) and were dominant in the playoffs.
Which two Raptors won Rookie of the Year?
Because the team was so poor in its first few seasons (which is to be expected for an expansion team), the Raptors had its fair share of high draft picks. While there has been some awful selections in that bunch, the team did a decent job of drafting early on. Two of its first-round picks would thrive in their first season with the expansion team and win the NBA Rookie of the Year, doing so in the 1995-96 and 1998-99 season respectively.
Who is this player?
Chris Bosh helped the Raptors fan base get over the loss of Vince Carter and this player did the same with Bosh when he left for Miami. He famously tweeted "Don't worry, I got us..." when Bosh left, despite being a 20 year old second-year player who only averaged 8.6 points per game in his rookie season. He responded accordingly, averaging 17.2 points the following season and has continued to round out his game in subsequent seasons. A three-time All-Star, he averaged a career-best 27.3 points per game in 2016-17 and has refined his game in 2017-18 with an improved passing ability and three-point efficiency.
Who is this player?
Few players taken in the second round of the NBA Draft make much of an impact in the league, but that isn't the case with this player, who was drafted 46th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2015 NBA Draft and traded that same night to the Toronto Raptors. It seemed like a small transaction at the time, but the UCLA alumnus has since developed into a core rotation piece for the Raptors. The 24 year old averaged 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game last season and recently signed a four-year, $40 million extension.
In what year did the team first make the playoffs?
Success doesn't come easy for expansion teams and the Raptors were no different. Starting out with a team comprised of NBA cast offs and inexperienced players, the team struggled immensely in its first few seasons, but turned a corner in 1998 when it acquired Vince Carter in a swap of draft picks at the 1998 NBA Draft. "Vinsanity" inspired energy into the team and helped them finally reach the playoffs in this year. Carter won the Slam Dunk Contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend that same year.
How many playoff rounds has the team won in its history?
The Raptors came up short in its first ever trip to the playoffs, but the following season won a five-game series over the New York Knicks after winning a franchise-record 47 games. The team advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals that season and played a competitive seven-game series against the Philadelphia 76ers, but ultimately came up short. Toronto would make the playoffs consistently in the Chris Bosh era, but failed to have much playoff success, while the current Kyle Lowry/DeMar DeRozan era has performed much better in the postseason.
Which coach didn't serve as head coach of the Raptors?
When Isiah Thomas was named the team's first ever general manager, the former Detroit Piston named longtime Pistons assistant Brendan Malone as the team's head coach. Malone - and subsequent hires - performed terribly as head coach as the team struggled to find someone to last more than a season or two in its first decade. Since Malone was hired in 1995, the Raptors have had eight different coaches, although its current coach has been with the team since the start of the 2011 season and is the franchise's longest-tenured coach.
Who is this player?
This small forward was hardly one of the team's best players, but made quite an impact with his ability to perform crowd-pleasing dunks. He was undrafted and didn't even play NCAA (he instead played with Meridian Community College and later developed a reputation with the Harlem Globetrotters. He was signed by the Raptors in 2007 and surprised many by making the All-Rookie team after averaging 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists through 78 games, 75 of which he started. He later played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Charlotte Bobcats.
Who is the team's current head coach?
As previously mentioned, the current head coach of the Raptors holds the distinction of being with the team longer than any of the previous seven head coaches. A former assistant with the Dallas Mavericks and Seattle SuperSonics as well as head coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was hired by the Raptors in 2011 and has since compiled an overall record of 210-184. He is the all-time regular season and playoff wins leader and has led the team to three playoff victories in the past three seasons.
Who is the team's current general manager?
This might be a tricky question even for hardcore Raptors fans as the team's general manager was only hired in the past year. Beyond that, he has a much lower profile than the team's president, who excelled as a general manager before being promoted to his current position. He's also much more prevalent in the media and still holds final say on all player personnel decisions. The general manager is only 32 years old and is the youngest in the league.
Who is this player?
A native of Flint, Michigan, this 6-foot-7 small forward played for Michigan State University and was selected 21st overall by the Raptors in the 2000 NBA Draft. He was named to the 2000-01 All-Rookie team after averaging 9.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists through 80 games, 49 of which he started. He spent seven seasons with the Raptors and was a fan favorite before signing with the New Orleans Hornets in 2007. He retired in 2010 after playing four games with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Who is the team's current president?
As previously stated, the Raptors current president is easily more recognizable than its general manager and certainly holds more name recognition. He previously served as the team's assistant general manager from 2008 to 2010 and later returned to the franchise as general manager in 2013, following a three-year stint as an executive with the Denver Nuggets. He earned NBA Executive of the Year in 2013 and was promoted to president of the team prior to the start of the 2016-17 season.
Who is the team's "global ambassador?"
This popular celebrity was announced as the team's global ambassador a few years ago. The unofficial title doesn't particularly hold any responsibilities other than to essentially serve as a mega-fan for the team. He has been rumored to have lobbied hard to help the team sign promising free agents such as Kevin Durant, but was obviously unsuccessful. He's often spotted sitting courtside at home games right next to the Raptors bench and has referenced Raptors players like Lou Williams and Cory Joseph in his songs.
What is the name of the team's home stadium?
Believe it or not, the Raptors actually played in the Skydome (now named Rogers Center) in its first few seasons. The team shared the stadium with the Toronto Blue Jays and it made for an awkward viewing experience as the Skydome was a baseball stadium capable of housing over 40,000 individuals, but was structured to support the Raptors for a number of years during the winter months. In 1999, the team moved into its new home, which it presently shares with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Who is this player?
Beloved players from the early era of the Raptors were few and far between, but this 6-foot-6 small forward and shooting guard was a fan favorite. The 17th overall selection of the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1992 NBA Draft, he came to the Raptors in 1996 in a trade with the New York Knicks for Willie Anderson and Victor Alexander. The Pepperdine University alumnus spent five seasons with the team and averaged a career-high 16.5 points during the 1997-98 season. He retired as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2007.
Who is the Raptors only first overall pick?
The Raptors have had some incredibly talented players wear the purple and black (and now red and black) throughout its history. The team was also abysmal in its first few seasons. Yet, despite those factors, it has only won the NBA Draft Lottery once. The team has made 13 selections within the top 10, all of whom have at least had decent careers in the league, save for Rafael Araujo, who the team selected eighth overall in 2004. The player it selected first overall in 2006 showed signs of brilliance in his first three seasons, but his skills quickly diminished.
Has the team retired the number of any player?
Since entering the league in 1995, the Toronto Raptors have boasted a number of impressive players on its roster. Future Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady and Hakeem Olajuwon played a combined four seasons with the team, while the Raptors developed a number of star-quality players like Vince Carter, DeMar DeRozan, Chris Bosh, and Jonas Valanciunas. The Grizzlies, now residing in Memphis, recently announced plans to retire Zach Randolph's No. 50; have the Raptors made any plans to retire the number of any of their all-time greats?
Who is the team's play-by-play announcer?
The Raptors have had their share of colorful play-by-play announcers throughout the years, including one whose catchphrases included "Onions, baby, onions" when referring to shots made in pressure-filled situations and "Get out the salami and cheese mama, this ball game is over" when he felt confident enough the Raptors had the game won. The team's current play-by-play announcer calls games on both TSN and Sportsnet and is joined by a rotating cast of color commentators. His trademark is listing Canadian cities to describe from where a player hits a three-point shot.
What is the name of the team's NBA G-League affiliate?
The NBA isn't like the NHL or MLB in the sense that minor league call-ups can have a major impact on a season. For the most part, teams run with the 15 players it begins its season with. In fact, up until the 2001 season, the NBA didn't even have a developmental league as there was really no need. However, things have changed drastically in recent years as NBA teams can now sign players to two-way contracts and place them on their affiliated G-League (it was renamed after securing sponsorship with Gatorade) team. Those players still don't contribute much during the course of a season, but it's a great avenue for developing young players who aren't ready for the NBA.
Who is the only Raptor to win Sixth Man of the Year?
If you've ever listened to Drake's "6 Man," you should know the answer to this question - you don't even need to be a basketball fan. Surprisingly, the only Raptors player to ever win the award only spent one season with the team before signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Raptors signed him the year prior for scoring depth off the bench and he quickly asserted himself as an offensive threat every time he touched the ball. He finished the season with a then-career high 15.5 points per game with a 34 percent three-point shooting percentage.
Who is the only Raptors coach to win Coach of the Year?
You might think several Raptors coaches have won Coach of the Year given the team's relative success despite a lack of star power throughout the years, however only one coach has won the award. Others have received votes for Coach of the Year, but the individual to win the award served as the team's head coach from 2004 to 2008 and had an overall regular season record of 156-189 for a winning percentage of .452. Believe it or not, that actually ranks third in franchise history, which should give you an idea of how bad the Raptors were in their first decade of existence.
Who is the only Canadian to coach the Raptors?
As previously mentioned, the Raptors have had eight coaches since entering the league in 1995. Despite being Canada's only professional basketball team, management hasn't placed an emphasis on integrating Canadian players or executives - it has only had two Canadian players on its roster, despite the growth of Canada Basketball - but the team did employ a Canadian head coach from 2009 to 2011. An assistant to Sam Mitchell, he took over following his dismissal and posted a disastrous 87-142 record through parts of three seasons with the team. He's now the interim head coach with the Phoenix Suns.
Aside from Jamaal Magloire, who was the only Canadian to play for the Raptors?
While Canada now supplies the NBA with the most players outside of the United States, that was far from the case prior to the Raptors entering the league. Even in the 1990s and early 2000s, there were few Canadians in the league. That's why it was such a big deal when the team signed big man Jamal Magloire in 2011, despite the fact the Toronto native was nearing the end of his career. The second Canadian player to play for the team had a much larger impact than Magloire, but was recently dealt to the Indiana Pacers.
What is the name of the first Toronto basketball team that played in the NBA in the 1946-47 season?
The Raptors have only been around for a little over 20 years, but Toronto was actually the site of the first NBA (then Basketball Association of America) game on November 1, 1946. The first-year Toronto franchise, donning blue and white colors similar to the Maple Leafs - and later the Blue Jays - hosted the New York Knickerbockers and lost 68-66. The game was attended by 7,090 people and low attendance figures hurt the team all season. It only lasted that one year before fading into obscurity. Only five of the team's players went on to play more than 10 additional games in the league.
Who is this player?
As much as Vince Carter helped the Raptors turn the corner into becoming a competitive team, this 6-foot-9 center out of the University of Texas played just as big of a role. A second-round pick of the Indiana Pacers in the 1990 NBA Draft, he was dealt to the Raptors in 1999 and experienced a career-best season in his first year with the team, averaging 11.5 points and 8.8 rebounds with increased playing time. He later posted career-highs in points (14.5) and rebounds (10.1) with Toronto. He returned to Toronto to retire as a member of the Raptors in 2006 after playing briefly with the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks.
Who is this player?
A 36 year old native of Spain, this 6-foot-3 point guard signed with the Raptors prior to the 2005-06 season and primarily came off the bench in his first two seasons before establishing himself as one of the best playmaking point guards in the league. He split time with T.J Ford, but eventually prevailed as the team's go-to point guard. He averaged a career-high 12.8 points and 8.9 assists per game in the 2008-09 season, while also shooting a league-best 98.1 percent from the free-throw line.