1995–96 Toronto Raptors season

1995–96 Toronto Raptors season
Inaugural season
Head coach	Brendan Malone
Owner(s)	John Bitove, Allan Slaight, Isiah Thomas
Arena	SkyDome Copps Coliseum
Results
Record	21–61 (.256)
Place	Division: 8th (Central) Conference: 14th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	TSN, CKVR
Radio	CFRB

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Toronto Raptors' first season in the team's franchise.^[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, 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 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. Following the season, Tracy Murray signed as a free agent with the Washington Bullets, Oliver Miller signed with the Dallas Mavericks and 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 second 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

Toronto Raptors roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From 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) 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 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 Brendan Malone Assistant coach(es) John Shumate (Notre Dame) Darrell Walker (Arkansas) Bob Zuffelato (Central Connecticut State) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster • Transactions

The first game

The Raptors first ever 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. 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 1-5 without him and finished 21-61 in his and the Raptors' rookie season.

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
y-Chicago Bulls	72	10	.878	–	39–2	33–8	24–4
x-Indiana Pacers	52	30	.634	20	32–9	20–21	19–9
x-Cleveland Cavaliers	47	35	.573	25	26–15	21–20	13–15
x-Atlanta Hawks	46	36	.561	26	26–15	20–21	15–13
x-Detroit Pistons	46	36	.561	26	30–11	16–25	15–13
Charlotte Hornets	41	41	.500	31	25–16	16–25	13–15
Milwaukee Bucks	25	57	.305	47	14–27	11–30	8–20
Toronto Raptors	21	61	.256	51	15–26	6–35	5–23

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	—	4–0	3–1	0–4	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	2–1	2–2	2–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–3
Boston	0–4	—	2–2	0–3	1–3	0–2	1–1	2–1	0–2	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	3–1	3–1	2–0	2–2	0–4	1–3	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	3–1	0–2	1–1	2–2
Charlotte	1–3	2–2	—	1–3	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–3	3–0	0–4	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	3–1
Chicago	4–0	3–0	3–1	—	4–0	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	3–1	4–0	2–0	3–0	3–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	4–0
Cleveland	1–3	3–1	1–3	0–4	—	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0	1–2	3–1	1–2	4–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–1
Dallas	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	—	2–2	0–2	2–2	1–3	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–4	2–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	1–3	4–0	0–2
Denver	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	—	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–1	0–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	2–0	3–1	3–1	1–1
Detroit	2–2	1–2	3–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	—	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	4–0	0–4	1–3	4–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–2
Golden State	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	0–2	—	2–2	1–1	3–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–3	4–0	1–1
Houston	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	—	2–0	4–0	3–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	2–0	2–2	4–0	1–1
Indiana	3–1	4–0	3–1	2–2	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	—	2–0	1–1	3–0	3–1	1–1	1–3	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	0–2	2–0	3–0
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	—	0–4	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1
L.A. Lakers	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	4–0	—	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	3–1	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	4–0	1–1
Miami	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–3	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	0–3	1–1	0–2	—	3–0	1–1	5–0	1–3	1–3	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–1	0–2	1–1	2–2
Milwaukee	2–2	1–3	1–3	0–4	0–4	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–3	—	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–3	2–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–3
Minnesota	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	1–1	—	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	0–4	3–1	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–3	2–2	0–2
New Jersey	0–4	2–2	3–0	0–3	2–1	1–1	2–0	0–4	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–5	3–1	1–1	—	2–2	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	0–2	2–0	2–2
New York	1–2	4–0	0–3	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–2	—	1–3	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	4–0	1–1	1–1	3–1
Orlando	2–2	3–1	4–0	1–3	2–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	—	4–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–1	1–1	2–0	4–0
Philadelphia	1–2	0–4	1–3	0–4	0–4	2–0	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–4	—	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–3
Phoenix	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–0	—	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0
Portland	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	4–0	0–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	—	1–3	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–3	2–2	0–2
Sacramento	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	—	1–3	0–4	2–0	0–4	2–2	0–2
San Antonio	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–2	4–0	0–2	3–1	3–1	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–1	3–1	3–1	—	2–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1
Seattle	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	0–2	4–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	4–0	2–2	—	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1
Toronto	0–4	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–4	2–0	0–2	1–2	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	1–2	1–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	—	0–2	1–1	3–1
Utah	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	3–1	1–3	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	3–1	4–0	1–3	1–3	2–0	—	4–0	1–1
Vancouver	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–4	2–2	2–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–4	—	0–2
Washington	3–1	2–2	1–3	0–4	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–1	1–1	1–1	0–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	0–4	3–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	—

Game log

1995–96 game log
November: 5–10 (Home: 4–4; Road: 1–6) Game Date Time Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 November 3 New Jersey W 94–79 Alvin Robertson (30) Alvin Robertson (7) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 33,306 1-0 2 November 4 @ Indiana L 89–97 Damon Stoudamire (26) John Salley (9) Damon Stoudamire (11) Market Square Arena 16,640 1-1 3 November 7 @ Chicago L 108–117 Willie Anderson (23) Oliver Miller (9) Damon Stoudamire (10) United Center 23,102 1-2 4 November 8 Sacramento L 90–109 Tracy Murray (22) Oliver Miller (11) Willie Anderson (4) SkyDome 16,793 1-3 5 November 10 Phoenix L 108–112 Tracy Murray (23) John Salley (11) Damon Stoudamire (7) SkyDome 25,207 1-4 6 November 11 @ Charlotte L 117–123 (OT) Willie Anderson (24) Willie Anderson (9) Alvin Robertson (7) Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 1-5 7 November 13 Utah L 100–103 Willie Anderson, Alvin Robertson (22) Ed Pinckney (10) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 18,351 1-6 8 November 15 Houston L 93–96 Damon Stoudamire, Žan Tabak (20) Žan Tabak (15) Alvin Robertson (10) SkyDome 20,831 1-7 9 November 17 Minnesota W 114–96 Damon Stoudamire (20) Oliver Miller, Damon Stoudamire (7) Damon Stoudamire (13) SkyDome 18,401 2-7 10 November 18 @ Washington W 103–102 Damon Stoudamire (23) Willie Anderson (9) Damon Stoudamire (10) USAir Arena 18,756 3-7 11 November 21 Seattle W 102–97 Oliver Miller (23) Damon Stoudamire (12) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 21,836 4-7 12 November 22 @ Milwaukee L 86–96 Alvin Robertson (18) Ed Pinckney (8) Damon Stoudamire (9) Bradley Center 14,959 4-8 13 November 25 @ Atlanta L 102–114 Tracy Murray (22) Ed Pinckney (13) Damon Stoudamire (9) Omni Coliseum 10,253 4-9 14 November 27 Golden State W 101–98 Willie Anderson (26) John Salley (9) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 19,563 5-9 15 November 28 @ Cleveland L 89–93 Damon Stoudamire (18) Žan Tabak (8) Willie Anderson (5) Gund Arena 15,188 5-10
December: 4–11 (Home: 3–4; Road: 1–7) Game Date Time Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 16 December 1 Philadelphia W 105–102 Willie Anderson (23) Ed Pinckney (16) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 19,789 6-10 17 December 3 Miami L 94–112 Oliver Miller (29) Ed Pinckney (12) Damon Stoudamire (15) SkyDome 21,238 6-11 18 December 5 @ Seattle L 89–119 Tracy Murray (23) Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson, Žan Tabak (5) Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (5) KeyArena 17,072 6-12 19 December 7 @ Portland L 88–96 Tracy Murray (28) Ed Pinckney (15) Damon Stoudamire (10) Rose Garden 20,039 6-13 20 December 8 @ L.A. Lakers L 103–120 Damon Stoudamire (20) Ed Pinckney (8) Damon Stoudamire (10) Great Western Forum 12,982 6-14 21 December 10 @ Vancouver W 93–81 Damon Stoudamire (24) Ed Pinckney (16) Damon Stoudamire (8) General Motors Place 17,438 7-14 22 December 12 Boston L 96–116 Damon Stoudamire (18) Ed Pinckney (8) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 21,875 7-15 23 December 14 Indiana L 100–102 Oliver Miller (22) Oliver Miller (12) Damon Stoudamire (13) SkyDome 19,763 7-16 24 December 15 @ Boston L 103–122 Žan Tabak (18) Žan Tabak (8) Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (7) FleetCenter 17,580 7-17 25 December 17 Orlando W 110–93 Damon Stoudamire (21) Ed Pinckney (11) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 25,820 8-17 26 December 19 Detroit L 82–94 Damon Stoudamire (19) Oliver Miller (11) Damon Stoudamire (8) SkyDome 21,128 8-18 27 December 22 @ Chicago L 104–113 Žan Tabak (24) Damon Stoudamire, Žan Tabak (8) Damon Stoudamire (13) United Center 22,987 8-19 28 December 23 @ New York L 91–103 Damon Stoudamire (25) Ed Pinckney (10) Damon Stoudamire (8) Madison Square Garden 19,763 8-20 29 December 26 Milwaukee W 93–87 Damon Stoudamire (21) Ed Pinckney (9) Damon Stoudamire (11) Copps Coliseum 17,242 9-20 30 December 28 @ Detroit L 91–113 Damon Stoudamire (27) Oliver Miller (7) Damon Stoudamire (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 9-21
January: 3–10 (Home: 3–5; Road: 0–5) Game Date Time Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 31 January 3 @ Orlando L 110–121 Alvin Robertson (27) Oliver Miller (12) Damon Stoudamire (13) Orlando Arena 17,248 9-22 32 January 4 @ Atlanta L 101–104 (OT) Alvin Robertson (21) Willie Anderson, Ed Pinckney (7) Damon Stoudamire (10) Omni Coliseum 7,194 9-23 33 January 9 Charlotte L 91–92 Tracy Murray (25) Tony Massenburg (8) Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (8) SkyDome 20,326 9-24 34 January 11 Atlanta L 79–87 Damon Stoudamire (18) Tony Massenburg, Carlos Rogers, Žan Tabak (7) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 19,868 9-25 35 January 13 Washington W 106–100 Damon Stoudamire (29) Tony Massenburg (11) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 25,432 10-25 36 January 15 @ New Jersey L 83–108 Damon Stoudamire (18) Oliver Miller (9) Damon Stoudamire (11) Continental Airlines Arena 10,034 10-26 37 January 16 Indiana L 102–110 Damon Stoudamire (29) Tony Massenburg (14) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 19,868 10-27 38 January 18 Chicago L 89–92 Damon Stoudamire (26) Tony Massenburg (8) Damon Stoudamire (12) SkyDome 36,118 10-28 39 January 21 Boston W 97–95 Damon Stoudamire (23) Tony Massenburg (14) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 24,334 11-28 40 January 23 New Jersey W 86–79 Tracy Murray (16) Tony Massenburg (8) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 20,915 12-28 41 January 25 Vancouver L 101–106 (OT) Damon Stoudamire (22) Oliver Miller (13) Damon Stoudamire (12) SkyDome 21,378 12-29 42 January 27 @ Denver L 82–93 Damon Stoudamire (23) Tony Massenburg (11) Damon Stoudamire (5) McNichols Sports Arena 16,635 12-30 43 January 30 @ Sacramento L 75–102 Oliver Miller (18) Tony Massenburg (5) Damon Stoudamire (6) ARCO Arena 17,317 12-31
February: 2–10 (Home: 0–3; Road: 2–7) Game Date Time Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 44 February 2 @ Golden State L 111–114 Damon Stoudamire (25) Oliver Miller (7) Damon Stoudamire (11) Oakland Coliseum 15,025 12-32 45 February 3 @ L.A. Clippers W 119–113 (OT) Damon Stoudamire (25) Oliver Miller (11) Damon Stoudamire (6) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 5,846 13-32 46 February 5 Portland L 87–90 Tracy Murray, Damon Stoudamire (16) Tony Massenburg (10) Damon Stoudamire (7) SkyDome 20,832 13-33 47 February 7 Milwaukee L 88–93 Oliver Miller (21) Oliver Miller (12) Damon Stoudamire (6) SkyDome 21,335 13-34 48 February 13 @ Miami W 98–87 Damon Stoudamire (29) Alvin Robertson (12) Damon Stoudamire (7) Miami Arena 14,286 14-34 49 February 15 Cleveland L 76–95 Willie Anderson (17) Oliver Miller (8) Damon Stoudamire (7) Copps Coliseum 17,242 14-35 50 February 17 @ Detroit L 95–108 Oliver Miller (25) Tracy Murray (7) Damon Stoudamire (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 14-36 51 February 22 @ Utah L 86–102 Damon Stoudamire (23) Herb Williams (8) Damon Stoudamire (6) Delta Center 19,911 14-37 52 February 23 @ Phoenix L 105–110 Damon Stoudamire (29) Oliver Miller (8) Damon Stoudamire (10) America West Arena 19,023 14-38 53 February 25 @ Dallas L 98–105 Damon Stoudamire (23) Žan Tabak (16) Damon Stoudamire (10) Reunion Arena 16,618 14-39 54 February 27 @ Houston L 100–105 Tracy Murray (22) Žan Tabak (10) Damon Stoudamire (19) The Summit 16,200 14-40 55 February 29 @ San Antonio L 95–120 Oliver Miller, Oliver Miller (13) Oliver Miller (8) Damon Stoudamire (5) Alamodome 18,083 14-41
March: 4–12 (Home: 3–7; Road: 1–5) Game Date Time Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 56 March 3 @ Cleveland W 100–89 Tracy Murray (29) Doug Christie, Oliver Miller (5) Doug Christie (6) Gund Arena 18,409 15-41 57 March 5 Detroit L 84–105 Sharone Wright (25) Oliver Miller (8) Damon Stoudamire (6) SkyDome 22,968 15-42 58 March 6 New York L 82–89 Sharone Wright (18) Oliver Miller, Sharone Wright (8) Damon Stoudamire (15) SkyDome 21,998 15-43 59 March 8 @ Miami L 79–109 Vincenzo Esposito (12) Oliver Miller (10) Damon Stoudamire (5) Miami Arena 14,319 15-44 60 March 10 Dallas W 128–112 Damon Stoudamire (25) Žan Tabak (14) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 21,873 16-44 61 March 12 @ Philadelphia L 110–118 Tracy Murray (31) Oliver Miller (11) Doug Christie, Alvin Robertson (8) CoreStates Spectrum 8,806 16-45 62 March 15 @ Charlotte L 101–113 Oliver Miller, Damon Stoudamire, Sharone Wright (20) Oliver Miller (10) Damon Stoudamire (11) Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 16-46 63 March 17 @ Indiana L 96–105 Damon Stoudamire (23) Tracy Murray (9) Damon Stoudamire (12) Market Square Arena 16,579 16-47 64 March 18 Denver L 114–122 Tracy Murray (40) Oliver Miller (9) Damon Stoudamire (16) SkyDome 20,324 16-48 65 March 20 Charlotte W 107–89 Carlos Rogers, Damon Stoudamire (24) Oliver Miller (15) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 22,033 17-48 66 March 22 San Antonio L 108–120 Tracy Murray (29) Oliver Miller (12) Damon Stoudamire (13) SkyDome 25,964 17-49 67 March 24 Chicago W 109–108 Damon Stoudamire (30) Oliver Miller, Tracy Murray (12) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 36,131 18-49 68 March 26 Atlanta L 111–114 Tracy Murray, Damon Stoudamire (30) Oliver Miller, Tracy Murray (9) Damon Stoudamire (12) SkyDome 21,473 18-50 69 March 27 @ Philadelphia L 94–103 Žan Tabak (26) Žan Tabak (11) Alvin Robertson (6) CoreStates Spectrum 7,411 18-51 70 March 29 Orlando L 86–126 Damon Stoudamire (15) Carlos Rogers (9) Damon Stoudamire (5) SkyDome 35,681 18-52 71 March 31 L.A. Lakers L 106–111 Tracy Murray (32) Tracy Murray (10) Damon Stoudamire (15) SkyDome 36,046 18-53
April: 3–8 (Home: 2–3; Road: 1–5) Game Date Time Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 72 April 2 L.A. Clippers W 104–103 (OT) Tracy Murray (30) Oliver Miller (15) Damon Stoudamire (12) SkyDome 21,135 19-53 73 April 4 Cleveland L 77–98 Dwayne Whitfield (16) Dwayne Whitfield (12) Jimmy King (6) SkyDome 21,173 19-54 74 April 6 New York L 106–139 Tracy Murray (23) Tracy Murray (8) Doug Christie, Oliver Miller (5) SkyDome 23,168 19-55 75 April 8 @ Minnesota L 101–115 Doug Christie, Tracy Murray (21) Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson (10) Alvin Robertson (7) Target Center 13,011 19-56 76 April 9 @ Milwaukee W 102–96 Alvin Robertson (25) Alvin Robertson (10) Doug Christie, Alvin Robertson (6) Bradley Center 15,935 20-56 77 April 12 @ Boston L 108–136 Acie Earl (40) Acie Earl (12) Jimmy King (6) FleetCenter 17,930 20-57 78 April 14 @ Washington L 97–110 Acie Earl (26) Oliver Miller (17) Oliver Miller (5) USAir Arena 18,756 20-58 79 April 15 @ New York L 79–125 Acie Earl (25) Acie Earl (11) Jimmy King (8) Madison Square Garden 19,763 20-59 80 April 17 @ New Jersey L 95–107 Acie Earl (28) Alvin Robertson (13) Alvin Robertson (8) Continental Airlines Arena 14,688 20-60 81 April 19 Washington W 107–103 Doug Christie (30) Oliver Miller (13) Oliver Miller (9) SkyDome 24,454 21-60 82 April 21 Philadelphia L 105–109 (OT) Oliver Miller (35) Oliver Miller (12) Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson (9) SkyDome 27,118 21-61
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	49	42	31.9	.440	.305	.856	3.8	3.0	1.18	1.04	12.4
Doug Christie	32	17	25.6	.436	.414	.789	3.8	2.9	1.81	.50	10.1
Acie Earl	42	7	15.6	.424	.000	.719	3.1	.6	.43	.88	7.5
Vincenzo Esposito	30	0	9.4	.360	.232	.795	.5	.8	.23	.00	3.9
Jimmy King	62	1	14.0	.431	.147	.701	1.8	1.4	.34	.21	4.5
Martin Lewis	16	0	11.8	.483	.286	.600	1.8	.2	.50	.19	4.7
Tony Massenburg	24	20	27.5	.510	.000	.662	6.9	.8	.54	.38	10.1
Oliver Miller	76	72	33.1	.526	.000	.661	7.4	2.9	1.42	1.88	12.9
Tracy Murray	82	37	30.0	.454	.422	.831	4.3	1.6	1.06	.49	16.2
Dan O'Sullivan	5	2	27.8	.371	.000	.875	6.4	.4	.40	.80	6.6
Ed Pinckney	47	24	21.9	.502	.000	.758	6.0	1.1	.66	.36	7.0
Alvin Robertson	77	69	32.2	.470	.272	.677	4.4	4.2	2.16	.47	9.3
Carlos Rogers	56	18	18.6	.517	.143	.546	3.0	.6	.45	.86	7.7
John Salley	25	6	19.3	.486	.000	.723	3.9	1.6	.44	.48	6.0
Damon Stoudamire	70	70	40.9	.426	.395	.797	4.0	9.3	1.40	.27	19.0
Žan Tabak	67	18	19.9	.543	.000	.561	4.8	.9	.36	.46	7.7
Dwayne Whitfield	8	1	15.2	.433	.000	.636	3.1	.2	.38	.25	5.0
Herb Williams	1	0	31.0	.375	.000	.000	8.0	.0	1.00	2.00	6.0
Sharone Wright	11	6	27.1	.508	.333	.685	5.2	1.0	.55	.91	16.5

Franchise firsts

Point: Alvin Robertson

Award winners

• Damon Stoudamire, First Team, NBA All-Rookie Team
• Damon Stoudamire, NBA Rookie of the Year Award
• Damon Stoudamire, NBA Schick Rookie Game, MVP

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, 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, nba.com, accessed 16 June 2007.

External links

• 1995-96 Toronto Raptors season at Basketball Reference
• 1995-96 Toronto Raptors season at Database Basketball
• Expansion Draft Details