Toronto Raptors: A tumultuous past and a changing culture
By Jesse Graham
Looking back on the Toronto Raptors’ tumultuous past and its effect on Canadian culture
For long-time Toronto Raptors fans, the journey to an NBA title has been a long and arduous process. While last year’s title run may lead you to believe otherwise, the bulk of the Raptors’ existence was anything but glamorous.
The young Toronto Raptors and the Vince era
In 1995 the NBA expanded its borders and welcomed Canada to the NBA family. The Raptors acquired some solid young players like Damon Stoudamire and Marcus Camby and the team had its fair share of great moments, most notably getting a win over the mythic 95-96 Bulls team. But besides the thrill of pro basketball coming North of the border, Canadian fans were not given all that much to cheer about on the court.
The spark the Raptors were looking for would come to them in the 1998 draft. In the draft, the Raptors traded their fourth pick for what turned into UNC’s electrifying, high flying, highlight machine – Vince Carter. While I personally did not witness the rise of Vince Carter and the Raptors in the early 2000s, my older brother has made Vince’s ascension a folkloric tale.
The young and mighty Vince Carter put the Raptors on the map with awe-inspiring dunks and athletic heroics of all sorts. This new and exciting Vince Carter managed to generate more excitement as he entered the now historic 2000 All-Star dunk competition at Oracle Arena.
Vince, in the now-classic purple pinstripes, showed viewers dunks that they had never dreamed of. Vince had arrived, and he did so in show-stopping fashion. He showed the world his vicious swagger, and as he looked into the camera and proudly tugged on his jersey, he made it clear that the Raptors had arrived with him.
Along with the dunks and the highlights, Vince also brought winning to the franchise. In young Vince’s ascendancy, he was recognized as the 1999 rookie of the year. The Raps managed to surround Vince with a mix of hard-nosed veterans and exciting young talent to create a formidable team.
In their first playoff appearance, the Raps fell victim to the eventual Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks in a three-game sweep. Each game was competitive and as is the case for many young teams this seeming playoff failure was a point of pride; a necessary steppingstone to eventual post-season success. Raps fans had much to look forward to.
The following year the Raptors would get their revenge over the defending Eastern Conference champions and proceed to the second round. The following series was a heavyweight bout pitting the electrifying Vince “half man half amazing” Carter against the transcendent Allen “The Answer” Iverson. The series was hard-fought, and it all came down to one final shot in Game 7.
After a sideline out of bounds scramble the Raptors managed to get the ball into the hands of their superstar. The clock ticked away and the Raptors and its new fan base held their collective breath as the 76ers remained draped all over Vince. He managed to get the ball and shake free of his defender with a pump fake. He rose up and got a rushed albeit clean look at the basket. For a brief second the Raps had meaningful victory in their crosshairs.
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. The ball clanked off the back of the rim, the buzzer sounded, and the ball soared in the opposite direction as the 76ers and its fans stormed the floor in celebration.
For many Canadians, I imagine this incarnation of the Raps was what sparked a lifelong passion for basketball. Unlike the previous year, however, the Raps and its fanbase exited the playoffs with pure heartbreak. But who cares right? They’ll make it again next year, right? As long as Vince is around all is well, right?
Unfortunately, Vince’s days North of the border were soon coming to an end. Along with Vince’s departure came the end of the first great era of Raptors basketball and the beginning of mediocrity.