Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors basketball team plays in the Eastern Conference of the Atlantic Division in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Toronto Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 as one of two expansion teams located in Canada. When the Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis, and renamed Memphis Grizzlies, the Toronto Raptors became the only Canadian team to play in the NBA. The Raptors are also the only non-US team in the NBA.

The Raptors took their name in an attempt to take advantage of the popularity of "Jurassic Park".

The Toronto Raptors logo is of a red dinosaur in Raptors uniform dribbling a light blue basketball. The Toronto Raptors name hovers over the dinosaur surrounded in a black circle outline.

The Toronto Raptors jersey colors are red, black and white.

The Toronto Raptors cheerleaders, the Raptors Dance Pak, are a group of professional dancers adept in many dance forms. The Dance Pak cheers on the players and create elaborate dance routines for fan entertainment during Raptor home games. The dancers also perform for charities and other promotional appearances outside basketball.

Vince Carter, Toronto raptors, received a Rookie of the Year award in 1999. As their top player, he helped lead the Raptors to their first series win in the 2001 playoffs. When the owners traded Carter in 2004, the Toronto Raptors Chris Bosh led the team through their next games.

Some former Toronto Raptors coaches include Brendan Malone, Darrell Walker, Butch Carter, Lenny Wilkens and Kevin O'Neill. Darrell Walker played professional basketball for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Bullets, Chicago Bulls, and the Detroit Pistons before he coached for the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors. Lenny Wilkens was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice, once as a player and once a coach. As head coach, Wilkens claim to fame is in having the most team wins, and the most team losses, over any other NBA coach.

The NBA website hosts the Toronto Raptors home page as well as the other thirty professional basketball teams. On the Toronto Raptors homepage visitors discover information on the Toronto Raptors schedule and where to buy Toronto Raptors tickets. Fans can also download Toronto Raptors wallpaper featuring photos of their favorite team players in action. The Toronto Raptors News section covers up to the minute events through game reports, photos and videos of the Toronto Raptors television coverage.

The Toronto Raptors have yet to win a Conference title or NBA Championship. They won a Division title in 2007.