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As Isiah Thomas was named the general manager in 1995, he quickly staffed the management with his own personnel, including the first head coach Brandon Malone who has been reunited with Isiah in the Knicks organization. Isiah chose to build the franchise around Damon Stoudamire, a point guard out of Arizona. The Raptors' pick of Stoudamire was greeted with boos from those present at the NBA Draft at the Skydome in Toronto, many whom bought into the hype surrounding UCLA star Ed O'Bannon. Stoudamire vindicated Thomas by winning the Rookie of the Year award that season.
Record: 21 Wins - 61 Losses
The team record improved by 9 games from its inaugural season and attendance was rising. Analysts predicted a strong or even a championship team in a matter of a few seasons.
Record: 30 Wins - 52 Losses
All optimism evaporated when the team was hit by numerous injuries in early 1997-1998 season. Thomas, a brilliant player and coach with inefficient management skills, failed to stop the downfall of the team which led to the dismantling of the core players and resignations of the head coach Darrell Walker and eventually Isiah himself. When Glen Grunwald was named to succeed Thomas in 1998, virtually nobody thought he could turn the team around as seen in the booing when he made his first appearance to Air Canada Centre for a speech. However the players reacted by playing harder and Marcus Camby earned his first two triple doubles of his career in the last four games of the season.
Record: 16 Wins - 66 Losses
On one hand Grunwald showed his better management ability than his predecessor by trading Camby to the Knicks for Charles Oakley whose tough mentalities and playoff experiences help the maturity of the young players. Many thought the trade could be hurting the team by the common understanding of acquiring an aging veteran for a promising young prospect who had already been the starting power forward. On the other hand the coaching staff temporarily solved the lack of a true point guard by rotating Dee Brown, Alvin Williams and Doug Christie to play the position. This move eventually paid off as Christie greatly refined his defensive game and became one of the elite guards in NBA. Alvin also picked up his offensive game as well. Kevin Willis , another veteran acquired from trade, solidified the center position. With those holes temporarily filled, the team won more games than the best 1996-1997 season during Thomas' tenure. The new coach Butch Carter dedicated in prospect developments and installed the competitiveness in the players, especially Tracy McGrady. Although the team did not make the playoffs in the 1998-1999 season, the optimism lost in previous years resurfaced with the brilliant performances from the rookie Vince Carter and much improved McGrady.
Record: 23 Wins - 27 Losses (a shortened 50-game schedule)
Grunwald knew that the solution to the lack of point guard and front court presence would have to come from mature veteran players. He also know that the aging Willis and Oakley would eventually have to play fewer minutes or risk injury. During the 1999 draft, he found a gem in Antonio Davis from the Indiana Pacers to play forward/center, who had been unable to play significant minutes with Indiana in the shadow of teammate Dale Davis . At the back court Butch Carter rotated Vince, Christie, Alvin and Dell Curry at the shooting guard position and Alvin and Muggsy BoguesPersonal Full Name: Tyrone Curtis Bogues Born: January 9, 1965 in Baltimore, MD Ht/Wt: 5'3"/136 lbs. High School: Dunbar (Baltimore, MD) College: Wake Forest Transactions Drafted by Washington Bullets in 1st round (12th overall) of 1987 NBA Draft. Selecte at point guard. Rotation of Antonio, Oakley and Willis in the front court and the maturation of Vince Carter helped the team make its first ever playoff appearance. As a coach and a team without significant playoff experience, the Raptors were swept by the New York Knicks in the playoffs.
Progressive team improvements and the rise to fame of Vince Carter attracted many fans around Toronto, many of whom were not previously basketball fans. Increased attendance and change of fan base contributed to the recent decline of the Toronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a Major League Baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, notable for being the first team from outside the United States to win the World Series. They are in the Eastern Division of the American League. They will soon be the only.
Record: 45 Wins - 37 Losses; eliminated in the first round of the playoffs