The Raptors revealed a new primary logo of a dinosaur playing basketball,[8] and got new pinstripe uniforms with the logo on the front of their jerseys, adding purple and red to their color scheme.[9][10] The team played their home games at theSkyDome inToronto, Ontario,Canada, which was also home to theMLB'sToronto Blue Jays.
In their NBA regular season debut on November 3, 1995, the Raptors defeated theNew Jersey Nets at the SkyDome, 94–79,[27][28][29] but went on a 7-game losing streak afterwards, and held a 13–34 record at the All-Star break.[30] At mid-season, the team traded Anderson, and Alexander to theNew York Knicks in exchange forDoug Christie,[31][32][33] and then traded Massenburg, and Pinckney to thePhiladelphia 76ers in exchange for second-year forwardSharone Wright,[34][35][36] while Salley was released to free agency, and later on signed with theChicago Bulls.[37][38] The Raptors finished their inaugural season in last place in theCentral Division with a record of 21 wins and 61 losses.[39]
Stoudamire averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, contributed 133 three-point field goals, and was named theNBA Rookie of the Year, and was also named to theNBA All-Rookie First Team.[40][41][42] In addition, Murray finished second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game, led the Raptors with 151 three-point field goals, and finished tied in fifth place inMost Improved Player voting,[43] while Miller provided the team with 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, and Robertson contributed 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Off the bench, Tabak provided with 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Rogers also contributed 7.7 points per game, and Earl contributed 7.5 points per game.[44]
During theNBA All-Star weekend at theAlamodome inSan Antonio, Texas, Stoudamire was selected for theNBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference Rookie team;[45] Stoudamire scored 19 points along with 11 assists and 4 steals, and was named the Rookie Game's Most Valuable Player, as the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference, 94–92.[46][47][48]
The Raptors finished third in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 950,330 at the SkyDome during the regular season.[44][49] Following the season, Malone was fired as head coach after only one season with the Raptors,[50][51][52] while Murray signed as a free agent with theWashington Bullets,[53][54][55] Miller signed with theDallas Mavericks,[56][57] and Robertson retired after ten seasons in the NBA.
The Raptors' new logo would remain in use until 2008, where they changed the background of the logo from purple to red, while the original logo with the dinosaur lasted until 2015; the new pinstripe uniforms lasted until 1999.
Subsequent to the expansion draft, Toronto was given the seventh pick, after the Vancouver Grizzlies, in the1995 NBA draft. They selectedDamon Stoudamire, a point guard out ofUniversity of Arizona, around whom Thomas chose to base the franchise. The selection of Stoudamire was met with boos from fans at the1995 NBA draft atSkyDome inToronto, Ontario, many of whom wanted 1995 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding PlayerEd O'Bannon ofUCLA, who was taken with the next pick by theNew Jersey Nets (and, unlike Stoudamire, would not have success and be out of the league after two seasons),[22][23] The Raptors' second selection was guardJimmy King fromMichigan, a senior and part of the recruiting class of 1991 that became known asThe Fab Five.
Point guardB.J. Tyler was on the injured reserve list due to permanent nerve damage, after accidentally falling asleep with an ice pack on his ankle, missed the entire regular season, and never played for the Raptors.[59][60]
The Raptors' first ever regular season game was played on November 3, 1995, against theNew Jersey Nets at theSkyDome 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 asDamon 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.[61]
The team played its first season in theCentral Division,[62] and before the inaugural season began, sales of Raptors merchandise ranked seventh in the league, marking a successful return of basketball to Canada. As GM, Isiah Thomas quickly staffed the management positions with his own personnel, naming long-timeDetroit Pistons assistantBrendan Malone as the Raptors' head coach.
The Skydome — now theRogers Centre — was the original arena for the Raptors between 1995 and 1999.
The Raptors concluded their inaugural season with a 21–61 win–loss record,[62] although they were one of the nine teams to defeat the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls,[63] who set an NBA best 72–10 win–loss regular season record. With averages of 19.0points and 9.3assists per game, Stoudamire also won the1995–96Rookie of the Year Award.[64]
December 10, 1995, The Raptors play theVancouver Grizzlies for the first time. The game is held atGeneral Motors Place in Vancouver. The Raptors win the game by a score of 93–81.
March 24, 1996 – The Raptors beat the eventual NBA ChampionChicago Bulls by a score of 109–108, one of only ten losses the Bulls would suffer that season.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 legendaryMagic Johnson played his only game against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. TheLos Angeles Lakers won the game by a score of 111–106.
Stoudamire had a noteworthyrookie 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 aMighty 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 byDennis Scott. Stoudamire 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 theRookie 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 beingMark 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 2–8 without him and finished 21–61 in his and the Raptors' rookie season.[40]
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.
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