2005 Toronto Raptors

With several solid starters on the roster, the Toronto Raptors thought they would have a better season in 2004-05. The departure of Vince Carter was a mixed blessing, and the handiwork of Chris Bosh and Rafer Alston wasn't enough to keep the Raptors in contention. A good draft this year could help immeasurably, so be ready to buy your Raptors tickets before they're gone.

The Toronto Raptors are one of the newest teams in the National Basketball Association. They first joined the league in 1995 under club president John I. Botive. Toronto, however, did have basketball for a brief period before the Raptors joined the league. In fact, Toronto had hosted the NBA's first game on November 1, 1946, when the Knicks beat the Toronto Huskies, 68-66. The Toronto franchise folded at the end of the 1946-47 season, however, and the NBA wouldn't return to Canada for nearly 50 years. The Raptors were placed in the NBA's Eastern Conference's Central Division playing against such rivals as the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Chicago Bulls.

The Raptors are coached by first time head coach Kevin O'Neil. O'Neil had three seasons as an assistant coach where he established a reputation as a defensive specialist. He hopes to bring a winning defensive attitude north of the border to help the Raptors continue to improve. The cornerstone of the Raptors franchise is perennial All-Star, and slam-dunk artist Vince Carter. Carter provides Raptor's ticket holders a constant source of excitement. The Raptors are fortunate to have good talent, young and veteran, surrounding Carter. Versatile point guard Jalen Rose can score at anytime as can his young backcourt mate Morris Peterson. Talented, young left-handed forward Chris Bosh is a scoring threat both inside and out. He is part of a solid front court when teamed with bulky Lonnie Baxter and Donyell Marshall.

The Raptors play their home basketball games in the new Air Canada Centre. The Air Canada Centre is located in the heart of downtown, nestled between Union Station and the Gardiner Expressway. You can always count on a complete entertainment experience when you attend a Raptors game at Air Canada Centre. From before the opening tip to after the final horn, the action never stops with music, dancing, acclaimed halftime performances and, of course, The Raptor. The Raptor is the most recognizable mascot in all of Canada. It is known for its high flying basketball theatrics.

The Raptors are not the only major sports team located in Toronto, Ontario. The city is also home to Major League Baseball's Blue Jays of the American League. The Blue Jays play their home games at Skydome, the first retractable roof stadium in North America. The team won back to back world championships in the early 1990s. Hockey is, of course, the city's first love. The Maple Leafs of the NHL share the Air Canada Centre with the Raptors. The Leafs are so popular that they are the only team in North America with their own TV station, Leafs TV. The city is also home to one of the most successful Canadian Football League teams, the Toronto Argonauts, who shares Skydome with the Blue Jays.

Raptors' ticket holders should continue to witness exciting basketball at the Air Canada Centre for years to come. The solid offensive lineup, combined with Kevin O'Neil's defensive mind, should turn the Raptors into Eastern Conference contenders.