Get ready for another exciting basketball season as Canada based Toronto Raptors prepare to storm the US courts. A highly competitive professional basketball club, the Raptors has enthralled thousands of sports fans for over seventeen years. Since its inception, the franchise has produced highly notable players that have made name for themselves in the North American basketball circuit. Currently under head coach Dwane Casey and manager Masai Ujiri, the Raptors is looking in great shape for the upcoming season. The team will be taking on several NBA clubs including Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Formation
Formed in 1993, the Toronto Raptors was initially established as a part of NBA’s expansion efforts in Canada. The bid for the expansion franchise was won by Toronto based businessman, John Bitove. The team played its inaugural season in 1995 and became the first NBA franchise based in Canada since the 1940s Toronto Huskies.
A nationwide contest helped the newly formed franchise to choose its name, logo and colors. After narrowing down two thousand entries, the management revealed the final selection on national television in 1994. Isiah Thomas was named the first general manager of the team during the broadcast.
Recent Years and Current Standings
Over the years, Raptors have become highly popular for being one of the most competitive NBA clubs from Canada. The team managed to make the NBA playoffs for three consecutive seasons beginning in 2000. During the past decade, players such as Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh and Vince Carter helped the Raptors to set league attendance records as well as reach franchise-high season wins. In 2007, the Raptors managed to bag their first ‘Atlantic Division Title’. Currently, the team’s roster comprises of exceptionally talented players such as Rudy Gay, Aaron Gray, Austin Daye, Steve Novak and Amir Johnson.
Raptors Live in Action
The Toronto Raptors are famous for attracting large crowds for home as well as away matches. The team has set NBA attendance records and continues to attract masses every year. Their home arena, Air Canada Centre, boasts a capacity of over twenty thousand people, where the Raptors often play in front of jammed packed crowds. The players exhibit highly coordinated game plays throughout the match, leaving the fans exuberant.
Every season, thousands of basketball lovers from US as well as Canada seek Toronto Raptors tickets. Witnessing the Raptors playing live is always a spectacular experience for the fans. So make sure to become a part of the season’s hottest basketball matches and catch your favorite players live in action.