1995–96 Toronto Raptors season

Offseason

Expansion draft

The team's roster was then filled as a result of an expansion draft in 1995. Following a coin flip, Toronto was given first choice and selected Chicago Bulls point guard and three-point specialist B. J. Armstrong. Armstrong refused to report for training, and Thomas promptly traded him to the Golden State Warriors for power forwards Carlos Rogers and Victor Alexander. Thomas then selected a wide range of players in the expansion draft.

NBA draft

Main article: 1995 NBA draft

Subsequent to the expansion draft, Toronto was given the seventh pick, after the Vancouver Grizzlies, in the 1995 NBA draft. They selected Damon Stoudamire, a point guard out of University of Arizona, around whom Thomas chose to base the franchise. The selection of Stoudamire was met with boos from fans at the 1995 NBA draft at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, many of whom wanted 1995 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Ed O'Bannon of UCLA, who was taken with the next pick by the New Jersey Nets (and, unlike Stoudamire, would not have success and be out of the league after two seasons), The Raptors' second selection was guard Jimmy King from Michigan, a senior and part of the recruiting class of 1991 that became known as The Fab Five.

Roster

• Brendan Malone
• John Shumate
• Darrell Walker
• Bob Zuffelato

Roster notes

• Point guard Keith Jennings was on the injured reserve list due to a preseason knee injury, and missed the entire regular season.
• Point guard B.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.

The first game

The Raptors' first ever regular season game was played on November 3, 1995, against the New Jersey Nets at the SkyDome 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 as Damon 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.

Regular season

The team played its first season in the Central Division, 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-time Detroit Pistons assistant Brendan Malone as the Raptors' head coach.

The Raptors concluded their inaugural season with a 21–61 win–loss record, who set an NBA best 72–10 win–loss regular season record. With averages of 19.0 points and 9.3 assists per game, Stoudamire also won the 1995–96 Rookie of the Year Award.

Highs

• December 10, 1995, The Raptors play the Vancouver Grizzlies for the first time. The game is held at General Motors Place in Vancouver. The Raptors win the game by a score of 93–81.
• March 24, 1996 – The Raptors beat the eventual NBA Champion Chicago 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 legendary Magic Johnson played his only game against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. The Los Angeles Lakers won the game by a score of 111–106.

Stoudamire's breakout year

Stoudamire had a noteworthy rookie 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 a Mighty 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 by Dennis 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 the Rookie 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 being Mark 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.

Lows

• 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.

Season standings

Game log

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 1 | November 3 | New Jersey | | Alvin Robertson (30) | Alvin Robertson (7) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | SkyDome 33,306 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 2 | November 4 | @ Indiana | | Damon Stoudamire (26) | John Salley (9) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | Market Square Arena 16,640 | 1-1 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 3 | November 7 | @ Chicago | | Willie Anderson (23) | Oliver Miller (9) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | United Center 23,102 | 1–2 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 4 | November 8 | Sacramento | | Tracy Murray (22) | Oliver Miller (11) | Willie Anderson (4) | SkyDome 16,793 | 1–3 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 5 | November 10 | Phoenix | | Tracy Murray (23) | John Salley (11) | Damon Stoudamire (7) | SkyDome 25,207 | 1–4 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 6 | November 11 | @ Charlotte | | Willie Anderson (24) | Willie Anderson (9) | Alvin Robertson (7) | Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 | 1–5 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 7 | November 13 | Utah | | Willie Anderson, Alvin Robertson (22) | Ed Pinckney (10) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | SkyDome 18,351 | 1–6 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 8 | November 15 | Houston | | Damon Stoudamire, Žan Tabak (20) | Žan Tabak (15) | Alvin Robertson (10) | SkyDome 20,831 | 1–7 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 9 | November 17 | Minnesota | | Damon Stoudamire (20) | Oliver Miller, Damon Stoudamire (7) | Damon Stoudamire (13) | SkyDome 18,401 | 2–7 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 10 | November 18 | @ Washington | | Damon Stoudamire (23) | Willie Anderson (9) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | USAir Arena 18,756 | 3–7 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 11 | November 21 | Seattle | | Oliver Miller (23) | Damon Stoudamire (12) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | SkyDome 21,836 | 4–7 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 12 | November 22 | @ Milwaukee | | Alvin Robertson (18) | Ed Pinckney (8) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | Bradley Center 14,959 | 4–8 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 13 | November 25 | @ Atlanta | | Tracy Murray (22) | Ed Pinckney (13) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | Omni Coliseum 10,253 | 4–9 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 | November 27 | Golden State | | Willie Anderson (26) | John Salley (9) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | SkyDome 19,563 | 5–9 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 15 | November 28 | @ Cleveland | | Damon Stoudamire (18) | Žan Tabak (8) | Willie Anderson (5) | Gund Arena 15,188 | 5–10

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 | December 1 | Philadelphia | | Willie Anderson (23) | Ed Pinckney (16) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | SkyDome 19,789 | 6–10 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 17 | December 3 | Miami | | Oliver Miller (29) | Ed Pinckney (12) | Damon Stoudamire (15) | SkyDome 21,238 | 6–11 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 18 | December 5 | @ Seattle | | Tracy Murray (23) | Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson, Žan Tabak (5) | Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (5) | KeyArena 17,072 | 6–12 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 19 | December 7 | @ Portland | | Tracy Murray (28) | Ed Pinckney (15) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | Rose Garden 20,039 | 6–13 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 20 | December 8 | @ L.A. Lakers | | Damon Stoudamire (20) | Ed Pinckney (8) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | Great Western Forum 12,982 | 6–14 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 | December 10 | @ Vancouver | | Damon Stoudamire (24) | Ed Pinckney (16) | Damon Stoudamire (8) | General Motors Place 17,438 | 7–14 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 22 | December 12 | Boston | | Damon Stoudamire (18) | Ed Pinckney (8) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | SkyDome 21,875 | 7–15 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 23 | December 14 | Indiana | | Oliver Miller (22) | Oliver Miller (12) | Damon Stoudamire (13) | SkyDome 19,763 | 7–16 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 24 | December 15 | @ Boston | | Žan Tabak (18) | Žan Tabak (8) | Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (7) | FleetCenter 17,580 | 7–17 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 25 | December 17 | Orlando | | Damon Stoudamire (21) | Ed Pinckney (11) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | SkyDome 25,820 | 8–17 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 26 | December 19 | Detroit | | Damon Stoudamire (19) | Oliver Miller (11) | Damon Stoudamire (8) | SkyDome 21,128 | 8–18 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 27 | December 22 | @ Chicago | | Žan Tabak (24) | Damon Stoudamire, Žan Tabak (8) | Damon Stoudamire (13) | United Center 22,987 | 8–19 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 28 | December 23 | @ New York | | Damon Stoudamire (25) | Ed Pinckney (10) | Damon Stoudamire (8) | Madison Square Garden 19,763 | 8-20 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 | December 26 | Milwaukee | | Damon Stoudamire (21) | Ed Pinckney (9) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | Copps Coliseum 17,242 | 9-20 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 30 | December 28 | @ Detroit | | Damon Stoudamire (27) | Oliver Miller (7) | Damon Stoudamire (7) | The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 | 9–21

|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 31 | January 3 | @ Orlando | | Alvin Robertson (27) | Oliver Miller (12) | Damon Stoudamire (13) | Orlando Arena 17,248 | 9-22 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 32 | January 4 | @ Atlanta | | Alvin Robertson (21) | Willie Anderson, Ed Pinckney (7) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | Omni Coliseum 7,194 | 9-23 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 33 | January 9 | Charlotte | | Tracy Murray (25) | Tony Massenburg (8) | Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (8) | SkyDome 20,326 | 9-24 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 34 | January 11 | Atlanta | | Damon Stoudamire (18) | Tony Massenburg, Carlos Rogers, Žan Tabak (7) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | SkyDome 19,868 | 9-25 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 35 | January 13 | Washington | | Damon Stoudamire (29) | Tony Massenburg (11) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | SkyDome 25,432 | 10–25 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 36 | January 15 | @ New Jersey | | Damon Stoudamire (18) | Oliver Miller (9) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | Continental Airlines Arena 10,034 | 10–26 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 37 | January 16 | Indiana | | Damon Stoudamire (29) | Tony Massenburg (14) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | SkyDome 19,868 | 10–27 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 38 | January 18 | Chicago | | Damon Stoudamire (26) | Tony Massenburg (8) | Damon Stoudamire (12) | SkyDome 36,118 | 10–28 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 39 | January 21 | Boston | | Damon Stoudamire (23) | Tony Massenburg (14) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | SkyDome 24,334 | 11–28 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 40 | January 23 | New Jersey | | Tracy Murray (16) | Tony Massenburg (8) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | SkyDome 20,915 | 12–28 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 41 | January 25 | Vancouver | | Damon Stoudamire (22) | Oliver Miller (13) | Damon Stoudamire (12) | SkyDome 21,378 | 12–29 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 42 | January 27 | @ Denver | | Damon Stoudamire (23) | Tony Massenburg (11) | Damon Stoudamire (5) | McNichols Sports Arena 16,635 | 12–30 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 43 | January 30 | @ Sacramento | | Oliver Miller (18) | Tony Massenburg (5) | Damon Stoudamire (6) | ARCO Arena 17,317 | 12–31

|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 44 | February 2 | @ Golden State | | Damon Stoudamire (25) | Oliver Miller (7) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | Oakland Coliseum 15,025 | 12–32 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 | February 3 | @ L.A. Clippers | | Damon Stoudamire (25) | Oliver Miller (11) | Damon Stoudamire (6) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 5,846 | 13–32 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 46 | February 5 | Portland | | Tracy Murray, Damon Stoudamire (16) | Tony Massenburg (10) | Damon Stoudamire (7) | SkyDome 20,832 | 13–33 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 47 | February 7 | Milwaukee | | Oliver Miller (21) | Oliver Miller (12) | Damon Stoudamire (6) | SkyDome 21,335 | 13–34 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 48 | February 13 | @ Miami | | Damon Stoudamire (29) | Alvin Robertson (12) | Damon Stoudamire (7) | Miami Arena 14,286 | 14–34 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 49 | February 15 | Cleveland | | Willie Anderson (17) | Oliver Miller (8) | Damon Stoudamire (7) | Copps Coliseum 17,242 | 14–35 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 50 | February 17 | @ Detroit | | Oliver Miller (25) | Tracy Murray (7) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 | 14–36 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 51 | February 22 | @ Utah | | Damon Stoudamire (23) | Herb Williams (8) | Damon Stoudamire (6) | Delta Center 19,911 | 14–37 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 52 | February 23 | @ Phoenix | | Damon Stoudamire (29) | Oliver Miller (8) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | America West Arena 19,023 | 14–38 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 53 | February 25 | @ Dallas | | Damon Stoudamire (23) | Žan Tabak (16) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | Reunion Arena 16,618 | 14–39 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 54 | February 27 | @ Houston | | Tracy Murray (22) | Žan Tabak (10) | Damon Stoudamire (19) | The Summit 16,200 | 14–40 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 55 | February 29 | @ San Antonio | | Oliver Miller, Oliver Miller (13) | Oliver Miller (8) | Damon Stoudamire (5) | Alamodome 18,083 | 14–41

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 | March 3 | @ Cleveland | | Tracy Murray (29) | Doug Christie, Oliver Miller (5) | Doug Christie (6) | Gund Arena 18,409 | 15–41 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 57 | March 5 | Detroit | | Sharone Wright (25) | Oliver Miller (8) | Damon Stoudamire (6) | SkyDome 22,968 | 15–42 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 58 | March 6 | New York | | Sharone Wright (18) | Oliver Miller, Sharone Wright (8) | Damon Stoudamire (15) | SkyDome 21,998 | 15–43 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 59 | March 8 | @ Miami | | Vincenzo Esposito (12) | Oliver Miller (10) | Damon Stoudamire (5) | Miami Arena 14,319 | 15–44 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 60 | March 10 | Dallas | | Damon Stoudamire (25) | Žan Tabak (14) | Damon Stoudamire (9) | SkyDome 21,873 | 16–44 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 61 | March 12 | @ Philadelphia | | Tracy Murray (31) | Oliver Miller (11) | Doug Christie, Alvin Robertson (8) | CoreStates Spectrum 8,806 | 16–45 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 62 | March 15 | @ Charlotte | | Oliver Miller, Damon Stoudamire, Sharone Wright (20) | Oliver Miller (10) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 | 16–46 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 63 | March 17 | @ Indiana | | Damon Stoudamire (23) | Tracy Murray (9) | Damon Stoudamire (12) | Market Square Arena 16,579 | 16–47 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 64 | March 18 | Denver | | Tracy Murray (40) | Oliver Miller (9) | Damon Stoudamire (16) | SkyDome 20,324 | 16–48 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 65 | March 20 | Charlotte | | Carlos Rogers, Damon Stoudamire (24) | Oliver Miller (15) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | SkyDome 22,033 | 17–48 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 66 | March 22 | San Antonio | | Tracy Murray (29) | Oliver Miller (12) | Damon Stoudamire (13) | SkyDome 25,964 | 17–49 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 67 | March 24 | Chicago | | Damon Stoudamire (30) | Oliver Miller, Tracy Murray (12) | Damon Stoudamire (11) | SkyDome 36,131 | 18–49 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 68 | March 26 | Atlanta | | Tracy Murray, Damon Stoudamire (30) | Oliver Miller, Tracy Murray (9) | Damon Stoudamire (12) | SkyDome 21,473 | 18–50 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 69 | March 27 | @ Philadelphia | | Žan Tabak (26) | Žan Tabak (11) | Alvin Robertson (6) | CoreStates Spectrum 7,411 | 18–51 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 70 | March 29 | Orlando | | Damon Stoudamire (15) | Carlos Rogers (9) | Damon Stoudamire (5) | SkyDome 35,681 | 18–52 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 71 | March 31 | L.A. Lakers | | Tracy Murray (32) | Tracy Murray (10) | Damon Stoudamire (15) | SkyDome 36,046 | 18–53

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 72 | April 2 | L.A. Clippers | | Tracy Murray (30) | Oliver Miller (15) | Damon Stoudamire (12) | SkyDome 21,135 | 19–53 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 73 | April 4 | Cleveland | | Dwayne Whitfield (16) | Dwayne Whitfield (12) | Jimmy King (6) | SkyDome 21,173 | 19–54 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 74 | April 6 | New York | | Tracy Murray (23) | Tracy Murray (8) | Doug Christie, Oliver Miller (5) | SkyDome 23,168 | 19–55 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 75 | April 8 | @ Minnesota | | Doug Christie, Tracy Murray (21) | Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson (10) | Alvin Robertson (7) | Target Center 13,011 | 19–56 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 76 | April 9 | @ Milwaukee | | Alvin Robertson (25) | Alvin Robertson (10) | Doug Christie, Alvin Robertson (6) | Bradley Center 15,935 | 20–56 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 77 | April 12 | @ Boston | | Acie Earl (40) | Acie Earl (12) | Jimmy King (6) | FleetCenter 17,930 | 20–57 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 78 | April 14 | @ Washington | | Acie Earl (26) | Oliver Miller (17) | Oliver Miller (5) | USAir Arena 18,756 | 20–58 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 79 | April 15 | @ New York | | Acie Earl (25) | Acie Earl (11) | Jimmy King (8) | Madison Square Garden 19,763 | 20–59 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 80 | April 17 | @ New Jersey | | Acie Earl (28) | Alvin Robertson (13) | Alvin Robertson (8) | Continental Airlines Arena 14,688 | 20–60 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 81 | April 19 | Washington | | Doug Christie (30) | Oliver Miller (13) | Oliver Miller (9) | SkyDome 24,454 | 21–60 |- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 82 | April 21 | Philadelphia | | Oliver Miller (35) | Oliver Miller (12) | Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson (9) | SkyDome 27,118 | 21–61

Player statistics

Regular season

• † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Raptors only.

Franchise firsts

Point: Alvin Robertson

Award winners

• Damon Stoudamire, First Team, NBA All-Rookie Team
• Damon Stoudamire, NBA Rookie of the Year Award
• Damon Stoudamire, NBA Schick Rookie Game, MVP

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Player Transactions Citation:

References

References

1. [https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/1996.html 1995-96 Toronto Raptors]
2. (November 5, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; N.B.A. Makes It Official: Toronto to Join in '95-'96". The New York Times.
3. Brown, Clifton. (November 3, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Now Playing in the N.B.A., the Raptors and the Grizzlies". The New York Times.
4. Farber, Michael. (November 20, 1995). "Whoa, Canada! When the NBA Hit the Court in Toronto and Vancouver, It Was Clear Both Fans and Players Had a Lot to Learn".
5. Swardson, Anne. (October 17, 1995). "Canada's Personality Split Over the Attitude of the NBA". The Washington Post.
6. Baker, Chris. (November 2, 1995). "THE NBA: 1995-96: Expanding the Border: Book of Isiah Will Be Rewritten in Toronto". Los Angeles Times.
7. Brown, Clifton. (November 5, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Thomas Takes on Challenge of Raptors". The New York Times.
8. "Toronto Raptors Logo".
9. "Toronto Raptors Uniform".
10. "Toronto Raptors Uniform".
11. Wise, Mike. (June 25, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Anthony Is No. 2 of the Secaucus 27". The New York Times.
12. Heisler, Mark. (June 25, 1995). "Armstrong Becomes Top Expansion Pick: NBA: Raptors Take Guard from Bulls. Massenburg Also Headed to Toronto, While Lakers Lose Harvey to Vancouver". Los Angeles Times.
13. "1995 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference.
14. Hillyer, John. (September 18, 1995). "Warriors Get Armstrong". SFGate.
15. (September 18, 1995). "NBA's Raptors Trade First Pick Armstrong to Warriors for Pair". Greensboro News and Record.
16. (September 19, 1995). "Toronto Expands Quickly, Getting Five for Armstrong". Los Angeles Times.
17. (October 30, 1995). "Raptors' Robertson Arrested". Tampa Bay Times.
18. (October 23, 1996). "Robertson Gets Probation". The Item.
19. Mathur, Ashish. (June 12, 2020). "Raptors: Every Notable Toronto Free-Agent Signing, by Year". Clutch Points.
20. (November 2, 1995). "Transactions". The Free Lance-Star.
21. (November 2, 1995). "Transactions". The Daily Courier.
22. Wise, Mike. (June 29, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board". The New York Times.
23. Heisler, Mark. (June 29, 1995). "NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way". Los Angeles Times.
24. "1995 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
25. (June 2, 1995). "Malone Named Raptors Coach". United Press International.
26. (June 3, 1995). "Raptors Hire Malone". The Washington Post.
27. Willis, George. (November 4, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Start by Earning a Sorry Place in History". The New York Times.
28. (November 4, 1995). "NBA ROUNDUP: Grizzlies, Raptors Welcome Reality with Big Victories". Los Angeles Times.
29. "New Jersey Nets at Toronto Raptors Box Score, November 3, 1995". Basketball-Reference.
30. "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference.
31. (February 18, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Knicks Are Close to a Trade". The New York Times.
32. (February 19, 1996). "Christie Goes to Raptors". Los Angeles Times.
33. (February 20, 1996). "Raptors, Knicks Complete 4-player Trade". Deseret News.
34. (February 22, 1996). "Wright to Raptors". United Press International.
35. (February 23, 1996). "Hardaway Heads for the Heat in Trade". Los Angeles Times.
36. (February 23, 1996). "Riley's Heat The Big Movers on D-Day". Deseret News.
37. (March 4, 1996). "Bulls Sign Salley to 10-Day Contract". United Press International.
38. Armour, Terry. (March 5, 1996). "Bulls Add Another Ex-Piston in Salley". Chicago Tribune.
39. "1995–96 Toronto Raptors Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
40. (May 16, 1996). "Rookie Award to Stoudamire". The New York Times.
41. (May 16, 1996). "Stoudamire Named Top Rookie After Lukewarm NBA Reception". Los Angeles Times.
42. "NBA & ABA Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference.
43. "1995–96 Toronto Raptors Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
44. (February 10, 1996). "Pro Basketball". The Gainesville Sun.
45. Wise, Mike. (February 11, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; The Clippers' Barry Hits the High Notes in His Jam Session". The New York Times.
46. (September 13, 2021). "1996 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
47. "1996 NBA Rising Stars: East 94, West 92". Basketball-Reference.
48. "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
49. "1995–96 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.
50. (April 23, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Malone Fired After a Season". The New York Times.
51. (April 23, 1996). "Raptors, Nets Fire Coaches". Los Angeles Times.
52. Cotton, Anthony. (April 23, 1996). "Ex-Bullet Walker Tapped as New Coach of Raptors". The Washington Post.
53. Adande, J.A.. (October 7, 1996). "Bullets' Front Line a Bonus". The Washington Post.
54. Brown, Clifton. (November 10, 1996). "Bullets Open Up Their Gifts and Run". The New York Times.
55. Adande, J.A.. (November 29, 1996). "Murray Takes a Shot at Getting on Track". The Washington Post.
56. (October 17, 1996). "Mavericks Sign Miller to One-Year Deal". United Press International.
57. Sheridan, Chris. (October 27, 1996). "Winners and Losers in Off-Season Action". Los Angeles Times.
58. Parks, Brad. (July 26, 1998). "Achieving His Dreams Abroad". The Washington Post.
59. (November 1, 1996). "Around the NBA". The Washington Post.
60. Starjacki, Will. (December 21, 2020). "B.J. Tyler Had One of the Most Bizarre Injuries in NBA History, After Which He Retired". Basketball Network.
61. [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199511030TOR.html New Jersey Nets at Toronto Raptors], basketball-reference.com, 3 November 1995, accessed 20 August 2015.
62. [http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19951996.html 1995-96 Standings] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-10-25 , nba.com/history, accessed 16 June 2007.)
63. although they were one of the nine teams to defeat the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls,[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/TOR19960324.html Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors], basketball-reference.com, 24 March 1996, accessed 16 June 2007.
64. [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/damon_stoudamire/bio.html Damon Stoudamire Info Page] {{webarchive. link. (2007-07-12 , nba.com, accessed 16 June 2007.)
65. "1995–96 Toronto Raptors Transactions". Basketball-Reference.