21 Facts About The Toronto Raptors

1. New York Knicks and The Toronto Raptors had a playoff rivalry in 2000 and 2001.

2. The Toronto Raptors won the division final but then faced the Nets in the opening round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.

3. On September 30, 2013, The Toronto Raptors-based rapper Drake was announced as the new "global ambassador" for the Toronto Raptors, thereby joining the executive committee of his hometown's NBA team.

4. The Toronto Raptors set NBA attendance records in their 2000, 2001, and 2002 seasons when they made the playoffs.

5. On December 8, 2009, The Toronto Raptors introduced a blue-and-white throwback jersey to commemorate the Toronto Huskies of the Basketball Association of America, regarded by many as the unofficial, geographical predecessor of the Raptors.

6. The Toronto Raptors unveiled new jerseys in 1999−2000, launching a unique road jersey that had a purple front and a black back.

7. The Toronto Raptors finished the regular season with a franchise-record 59 wins, which was the second best overall in the league behind only the Houston Rockets.

8. The Toronto Raptors hosted the 2016 NBA All-Star Game on February 14, 2016 and its associated weekend for the first time in its history.

9. The Toronto Raptors opened a new practice facility, originally known as the BioSteel Centre in Exhibition Place, on February 10, 2016.

10. On June 25, 2015, The Toronto Raptors selected Delon Wright with their first-round pick in the 2015 NBA draft, along with Norman Powell in the second round.

11. The Toronto Raptors used their number five pick to select Jonas Valanciunas, a centre from Lithuania in the 2011 NBA draft.

12. The Toronto Raptors introduced a black alternate road jersey for the season similar to the earlier purple design that was dropped a few seasons ago.

13. The Toronto Raptors would respond with a strong Game 3 victory keyed by great point guard play from Ford and Jose Calderon.

14. The Toronto Raptors were praised for their improved defence, ball-sharing and tremendous team chemistry.

15. The Toronto Raptors lost ten in a row after Bosh's injury and finished the season with the fifth worst record in the NBA.

16. The Toronto Raptors started their training camp by trading Alston to the Houston Rockets for Mike James and signing free agent Jose Calderon as a backup for James.

17. The Toronto Raptors continued to rebuild during the 2005 NBA draft, selecting Charlie Villanueva, Joey Graham, Roko Ukic and Uros Slokar, with Villanueva's selection being very controversial amongst basketball pundits and Raptors fans alike.

18. The Toronto Raptors received Alonzo Mourning, forwards Eric Williams and Aaron Williams and two mid-to-late future first round picks from the New Jersey Nets.

19. Furthermore, The Toronto Raptors recorded the dubious honour of being the only team in NBA history not to dress 12 players for a single game in a season.

20. The Toronto Raptors was the more balanced team with Carter, Alvin Williams and Davis providing much of the offensive game and Chris Childs and Jerome Williams on defence.

21. The Toronto Raptors marked a return of professional basketball to the city after a 48-year absence.