1996-97 Toronto
Raptors
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| NBA Affiliations |
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| Location |
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| 1996-97 Information |
| Owner(s) |
John Bitove,
Allan Slaight,
Isiah Thomas |
| Coach |
Darrell Walker |
| Local television |
CKVR-TV |
| Local radio |
CFRB-AM |
The Raptors started their second season with new coach Darrell Walker. Their win total
would increase from 21 in their inaugural season to 30 wins. Veteran leadership was added to the team with the acquisitions of
Walt Williams, Popeye Jones, John Long, and Earl Cureton.
NBA Draft
Regular season
Highs
- November 1, 1996 – To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of
the NBA, the first game of the season was played between the Raptors and the New York Knicks. Both teams wore throwback uniforms
to recognize the anniversary. The Raptors wore the jerseys of the Toronto Huskies. The
reason the game was played in Toronto was to recognize that the first ever NBA game was played in Toronto. The final score was
107-99 for the Knicks.
- November 8, 1996 – The Raptors pulled a huge upset by
defeating the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 93-92. One of the game’s highlights
was Popeye Jones blocking a shot by Shaquille O’Neal.
- December 8, 1996 – In a game against the defending World
Champion Chicago Bulls, the Raptors pulled another upset by defeating the Bulls 97-89
- February 25, 1997 – Versus the Denver Nuggets, the Raptors had their highest point total of the season. The final score was 124-122 for
the Raptors.
Lows
- January 15, 1997 – The Raptors suffer one of their worst
losses of the season. It was at the hands of the defending Western Conference champion Seattle Supersonics by a score of 122-78.
Season standings
Game log
Player stats
Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average
Award Winners
References
Atlantic: Boston • Miami • New
Jersey • New York • Orlando • Philadelphia • Washington
Central: Atlanta • Charlotte •
Chicago • Cleveland• Detroit • Indiana • Milwaukee •
Toronto
Midwest: Dallas • Denver • Houston • Minnesota • San Antonio •
Utah • Vancouver
Pacific: Golden State • LA Clippers • LA Lakers • Phoenix •
Portland • Sacramento • Seattle
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See also: 1997 NBA Draft • All-Star
Game • 1997 NBA Finals • Transactions
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