1996–97 Toronto Raptors season explained

Team:	Toronto Raptors
End Year:	1997
Wins:	30
Losses:	52
Division:	Central
Division Place:	8
Conf Place:	12
Coach:	Darrell Walker
Gm:	Isiah Thomas
Owner:	John Bitove
Arena:	SkyDome Copps Coliseum Maple Leaf Gardens
Playoffs:	Did not qualify
Bbr Team:	TOR
Television:	TSN CKVR CityTV CTV
Radio:	CFRB

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Raptors' second season in the National Basketball Association.^[1] The Raptors had the second overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and drafted Marcus Camby from the University of Massachusetts,^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} and started their season with new head coach Darrell Walker.^{[7] [8] [9]} Veteran leadership was added as the team signed free agent Walt Williams,^{[10] [11] [12]} acquired Popeye Jones from the Dallas Mavericks,^{[13] [14] [15]} acquired three-point specialist Hubert Davis from the New York Knicks,^{[16] [17] [18]} and signed John Long, who came out of his retirement. The team also signed Benoit Benjamin, but released him to free agency after only just four games.^{[19] [20]} Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the NBA, the Raptors started their season by wearing throwback uniforms of the Toronto Huskies in their season opener against the New York Knicks at the SkyDome on November 1, 1996, but lost to the Knicks, 107–99.^{[21] [22] [23]}

The Raptors got off to a 3–3 start to the season, but then lost six straight games afterwards, and held a 17–29 record at the All-Star break.^[24] At midseason, the team re-signed free agent Oliver Miller after a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks,^{[25] [26]} and traded Acie Earl to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for second-year guard Shawn Respert,^{[27] [28] [29]} while signing free agents Reggie Slater and Clifford Rozier. The Raptors finished last place in the Central Division with a 30–52 record, which was a nine-game improvement over their inaugural season.^[30]

Second-year star Damon Stoudamire averaged 20.2 points, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while Williams averaged 16.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and Camby provided the team with 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, Doug Christie contributed 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, and finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting,^{[31] [32] [33]} while Carlos Rogers averaged 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game off the bench, and Jones provided with 7.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.^[34]

Following the season, Davis signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks,^{[35] [36] [37]} while Rozier signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Long retired.

Draft picks

See main article: 1996 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.^[21]
• 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.^[38]
• December 8, 1996 – In a game against the defending NBA 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.

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 NBA Records
width=100	Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	TOR	UTA	VAN	WAS
	—	3–1	1–3	1–3	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–1
	1–3	—	0–4	0–4	1–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–4
	3–1	4–0	—	0–4	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–2	2–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–2	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	3–1
	3–1	4–0	4–0	—	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1
	1–3	2–1	1–3	1–3	—	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	—	3–1	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	3–1	0–2
	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	—	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–2	0–4	1–1	0–4	3–1	1–1
	3–1	4–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	3–1	2–0	4–0	1–2	2–2	2–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	4–0
	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	0–2	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	1–3	4–0	0–4	2–0	0–4	3–1	0–2
	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–1	4–0	—	1–1	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0
	1–3	2–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	—	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–3	3–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–3
	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	—	2–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	4–0	1–3	2–0	1–3	4–0	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	2–2	—	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	4–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–3	4–0	2–0
	2–1	4–0	2–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	—	4–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–1
	0–4	3–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	—	0–2	2–1	1–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	4–0	0–2	3–1	0–4	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	0–4	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–3	4–0	1–1
	1–3	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–2	0–2	—	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
	3–1	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–1	1–1	2–2	—	3–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–0	1–1	2–0	4–0
	1–3	4–0	2–1	0–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	1–3	—	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	1–3
	0–4	3–1	0–4	0–4	0–3	0–2	1–1	1–2	0–2	0–2	0–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–3	2–2	—	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	—	1–3	4–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1
	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	—	2–2	4–0	1–3	0–2	2–2	4–0	0–2
	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	2–0	4–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	—	3–1	1–3	1–1	0–4	4–0	0–2
	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–4	1–3	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	1–3	0–2
	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	3–1	4–0	—	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0
Toronto	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	3–0	0–3	0–4	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	—	1–1	1–1	2–2
	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	—	4–0	2–0
	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–4	—	1–1
Washington	1–2	4–0	1–3	1–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1	3–1	0–4	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 1| November 1| New York| | Damon Stoudamire (28)| Popeye Jones (9)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| SkyDome
28,457| 0-1|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 2| November 2| @ Charlotte| | Damon Stoudamire (19)| Carlos Rogers (8)| Damon Stoudamire (5)| Charlotte Coliseum
24,042| 0-2|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3| November 5| Dallas| | Walt Williams (34)| Carlos Rogers (12)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| SkyDome
17,065| 1-2|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 4| November 8| L.A. Lakers| | Damon Stoudamire (21)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| SkyDome
27,357| 2-2|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 5| November 11| Denver| | Marcus Camby (26)| Carlos Rogers (9)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| SkyDome
17,132| 2-3|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 6| November 13| Philadelphia| | Marcus Camby (23)| Popeye Jones (14)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| SkyDome
17,385| 3-3|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 7| November 14| @ New York| | Marcus Camby (29)| Popeye Jones (8)| Damon Stoudamire (13)| Madison Square Garden
19,763| 3-4|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 8| November 16| @ Orlando| | Walt Williams (29)| Doug Christie (7)| Damon Stoudamire (5)| Orlando Arena
17,248| 3-5|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 9| November 19| Seattle| | Doug Christie (31)| Popeye Jones (11)| Marcus Camby (4)| SkyDome
18,803| 3-6|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 10| November 21| Cleveland| | Damon Stoudamire (24)| Acie Earl (8)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| SkyDome
16,835| 3-7|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 11| November 23| Atlanta| | Damon Stoudamire (22)| Popeye Jones (9)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| SkyDome
16,838| 3-8|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 12| November 26| Sacramento| | Damon Stoudamire (27)| Popeye Jones (16)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| SkyDome
15,037| 3-9|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13| November 27| Charlotte| | Walt Williams (23)| Popeye Jones (18)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| SkyDome
15,710| 4-9|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 14| November 30| @ Minnesota| | Damon Stoudamire (20)| Popeye Jones (15)| Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (4)| Target Center
18,679| 4-10

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 15| December 2| Houston| | Damon Stoudamire (27)| Popeye Jones (13)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| SkyDome
17,108| 5-10|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 16| December 3| @ Cleveland| | Doug Christie, Acie Earl (16)| Popeye Jones (9)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| Gund Arena
13,494| 5-11|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17| December 5| Washington| | Walt Williams (29)| Popeye Jones (13)| Damon Stoudamire (9)| SkyDome
15,222| 6-11|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 18| December 7| @ Atlanta| | Walt Williams (17)| Popeye Jones (10)| Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (3)| Omni Coliseum
11,422| 6-12|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 19| December 8| Chicago| | Damon Stoudamire (31)| Popeye Jones (18)| Damon Stoudamire (13)| SkyDome
33,385| 7-12|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 20| December 10| Golden State| | Damon Stoudamire (19)| Carlos Rogers (8)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| SkyDome
15,132| 7-13|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 21| December 11| @ Boston| | Damon Stoudamire (31)| Popeye Jones (21)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| FleetCenter
14,760| 7-14|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 22| December 14| @ Miami| | Walt Williams (18)| Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (8)| Doug Christie (6)| Miami Arena
14,712| 7-15|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 23| December 16| Detroit| | Damon Stoudamire (28)| Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (6)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| SkyDome
16,546| 7-16|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 24| December 17| @ New Jersey| | Walt Williams (24)| Popeye Jones (12)| Doug Christie, Popeye Jones (3)| Continental Airlines Arena
10,078| 8-16|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 25| December 19| Milwaukee| | Damon Stoudamire (19)| Popeye Jones (17)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| SkyDome
15,321| 9-16|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 26| December 20| @ Cleveland| | Carlos Rogers (18)| Doug Christie (8)| Damon Stoudamire (7)| Gund Arena
14,624| 9-17|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 27| December 22| @ Indiana| | Carlos Rogers (15)| Popeye Jones (11)| Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (3)| Market Square Arena
14,533| 9-18|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28| December 26| New Jersey| | Damon Stoudamire (18)| Popeye Jones (11)| Doug Christie (7)| Copps Coliseum
16,630| 9-19|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 29| December 27| @ Washington| | Doug Christie (20)| Marcus Camby (10)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| USAir Arena
18,756| 10-19

|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 30| January 2| @ Orlando| | Damon Stoudamire (32)| Popeye Jones (11)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| Orlando Arena
17,248| 10-20|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 31| January 4| @ Detroit| | Doug Christie (20)| Popeye Jones (7)| Damon Stoudamire (5)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454| 10-21|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 32| January 7| L.A. Clippers| | Damon Stoudamire (25)| Doug Christie (11)| Damon Stoudamire (9)| SkyDome
15,249| 10-22|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33| January 9| Utah| | Damon Stoudamire (27)| Popeye Jones (14)| Doug Christie (10)| SkyDome
12,410| 11-22|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 34| January 11| @ New Jersey| | Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (28)| Marcus Camby, Popeye Jones (9)| Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (9)| Continental Airlines Arena
15,527| 12-22|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 35| January 12| Orlando| | Walt Williams (22)| Popeye Jones (10)| Damon Stoudamire (14)| SkyDome
21,416| 12-23|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 36| January 15| @ Seattle| | Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (15)| Carlos Rogers, Walt Williams (7)| Damon Stoudamire (7)| KeyArena
17,072| 12-24|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 37| January 17| @ Portland| | Damon Stoudamire (24)| Popeye Jones (12)| Doug Christie (8)| Rose Garden
20,212| 13-24|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 38| January 19| @ Vancouver| | Damon Stoudamire (34)| Marcus Camby (11)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| General Motors Place
17,474| 13-25|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 39| January 21| Minnesota| | Walt Williams (32)| Popeye Jones (10)| Damon Stoudamire (17)| SkyDome
15,589| 14-25|- bgcolor="ffcccc"| 40| January 23| Miami| | Walt Williams (23)| Marcus Camby (10)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| SkyDome
15,817| 14-26|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 41| January 25| @ Chicago| | Damon Stoudamire (26)| Popeye Jones (16)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| United Center
23,913| 14-27|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 42| January 28| Portland| | Doug Christie (33)| Clifford Rozier (11)| Damon Stoudamire (13)| SkyDome
15,327| 15-27|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 43| January 29| @ Philadelphia| | Damon Stoudamire (25)| Popeye Jones (10)| Doug Christie (6)| CoreStates Center
11,251| 15-28

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44| February 1| Phoenix| | Walt Williams (33)| Popeye Jones (14)| Damon Stoudamire (13)| SkyDome
19,405| 16-28|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 45| February 3| Boston| | Damon Stoudamire (26)| Popeye Jones (11)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| SkyDome
15,259| 16-29|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46| February 5| Cleveland| | Walt Williams (26)| Clifford Rozier (9)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| SkyDome
16,520| 17-29|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 47| February 11| @ Milwaukee| | Walt Williams (27)| Popeye Jones (14)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| Bradley Center
13,257| 17-30|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 48| February 12| @ Atlanta| | Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (15)| Clifford Rozier (7)| Damon Stoudamire (3)| Omni Coliseum
13,846| 17-31|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 49| February 14| Milwaukee| | Marcus Camby (21)| Oliver Miller (12)| Damon Stoudamire (14)| Maple Leaf Gardens
15,193| 17-32|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 50| February 16| Detroit| | Walt Williams (22)| Clifford Rozier (11)| Damon Stoudamire (15)| Maple Leaf Gardens
15,492| 17-33|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 51| February 17| @ Indiana| | Damon Stoudamire (23)| Oliver Miller (8)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| Market Square Arena
14,298| 17-34|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 52| February 19| @ San Antonio| | Damon Stoudamire (21)| Popeye Jones (11)| Damon Stoudamire (9)| Alamodome
13,179| 18-34|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 53| February 20| @ Houston| | Damon Stoudamire (17)| Popeye Jones (10)| Damon Stoudamire (7)| The Summit
16,285| 18-35|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 54| February 22| @ Dallas| | Doug Christie (22)| Oliver Miller (8)| Damon Stoudamire (9)| Reunion Arena
16,314| 19-35|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 55| February 25| @ Denver| | Damon Stoudamire (35)| Popeye Jones (7)| Damon Stoudamire (5)| McNichols Sports Arena
9,225| 20-35|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 56| February 27| @ Utah| | Walt Williams (32)| Popeye Jones, Carlos Rogers (8)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| Delta Center
19,911| 20-36|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 57| February 28| @ L.A. Clippers| | Damon Stoudamire (22)| Carlos Rogers (11)| Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (5)| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
8,574| 20-37

|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 58| March 3| Boston| | Carlos Rogers (17)| Carlos Rogers, Damon Stoudamire (7)| Damon Stoudamire (17)| SkyDome
15,385| 20-38|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 59| March 5| New York| | Marcus Camby, Doug Christie (24)| Marcus Camby (9)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| SkyDome
18,319| 20-39|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 60| March 7| San Antonio| | Damon Stoudamire (25)| Marcus Camby (9)| Doug Christie (9)| SkyDome
16,178| 20-40|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 61| March 9| Vancouver| | Walt Williams (16)| Marcus Camby (12)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| SkyDome
19,186| 21-40|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 62| March 11| @ Phoenix| | Marcus Camby (23)| Clifford Rozier (14)| Damon Stoudamire (9)| America West Arena
19,023| 22-40|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 63| March 13| @ Sacramento| | Damon Stoudamire (31)| Marcus Camby, Walt Williams (6)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| ARCO Arena
17,317| 23-40|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 64| March 15| @ Golden State| | Marcus Camby (27)| Marcus Camby (9)| Damon Stoudamire (14)| San Jose Arena
15,058| 23-41|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 65| March 16| @ L.A. Lakers| | Damon Stoudamire (25)| Marcus Camby (11)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| Great Western Forum
16,839| 23-42|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 66| March 18| Philadelphia| | Marcus Camby (36)| Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (10)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| Maple Leaf Gardens
15,219| 24-42|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 67| March 19| @ Detroit| | Marcus Camby (28)| Marcus Camby (14)| Doug Christie (7)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454| 25-42|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 68| March 21| Charlotte| | Damon Stoudamire (29)| Marcus Camby (16)| Doug Christie (9)| SkyDome
16,993| 25-43|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 69| March 23| Atlanta| | Marcus Camby (37)| Marcus Camby, Walt Williams (8)| Damon Stoudamire (9)| SkyDome
18,533| 25-44|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 70| March 25| Indiana| | Walt Williams (16)| Marcus Camby (10)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| SkyDome
15,763| 25-45|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 71| March 27| Chicago| | Damon Stoudamire (18)| Clifford Rozier (10)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| SkyDome
34,104| 25-46|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 72| March 28| @ Washington| | Doug Christie (17)| Reggie Slater (10)| Damon Stoudamire (3)| USAir Arena
18,756| 25-47|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 73| March 30| Miami| | Damon Stoudamire (35)| Popeye Jones (12)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| SkyDome
17,959| 26-47

|- bgcolor="bbffbb"| 74| April 2| @ Philadelphia| | Doug Christie (29)| Doug Christie (15)| Damon Stoudamire (15)| CoreStates Center
13,769| 27-47|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 75| April 5| @ Miami| | Damon Stoudamire (25)| Marcus Camby, Clifford Rozier (6)| Damon Stoudamire (7)| Miami Arena
15,200| 27-48|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 76| April 8| Washington| | Damon Stoudamire (29)| Clifford Rozier (10)| Damon Stoudamire (13)| SkyDome
17,159| 28-48|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 77| April 10| Orlando| | Sharone Wright (17)| Popeye Jones (12)| Damon Stoudamire (5)| SkyDome
20,280| 28-49|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 78| April 12| Indiana| | Damon Stoudamire (22)| Popeye Jones, Clifford Rozier (11)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| SkyDome
21,832| 28-50|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 79| April 14| @ Chicago| | Damon Stoudamire (29)| Carlos Rogers (12)| Damon Stoudamire (12)| United Center
23,896| 28-51|- bgcolor="ffcccc" | 80| April 15| @ Milwaukee| | Reggie Slater (19)| Clifford Rozier (13)| Damon Stoudamire (11)| Bradley Center
14,652| 28-52|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 81| April 18| @ Charlotte| | Damon Stoudamire (28)| Marcus Camby, Popeye Jones (8)| Damon Stoudamire (9)| Charlotte Coliseum
24,042| 29-52|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 82| April 20| @ Boston| | Damon Stoudamire (32)| Popeye Jones (12)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| FleetCenter
17,820| 30-52

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
	PG	81	81	3,311	330	709	123	13	1,634	40.9	4.1	8.8	1.5	.2	20.2
	SG	81	81	3,127	432	315	201	45	1,176	38.6	5.3	3.9	2.5	.6	14.5
	PF	79	61	2,421	680	84	58	39	616	30.6	8.6	1.1	.7	.5	7.8
	SF	73	73	2,647	367	197	97	62	1,199	36.3	5.0	2.7	1.3	.8	16.4
	C	63	38	1,897	394	97	66	130	935	30.1	6.3	1.5	1.0	2.1	14.8
	C	60	28	1,009	186	28	15	50	390	16.8	3.1	.5	.3	.8	6.5
	PF	56	3	1,397	304	37	42	69	551	24.9	5.4	.7	.8	1.2	9.8
^†	C	41	29	732	234	31	24	44	189	17.9	5.7	.8	.6	1.1	4.6
^†	C	38	0	457	85	18	12	27	162	12.0	2.2	.5	.3	.7	4.3
	SG	36	0	623	40	34	11	2	181	17.3	1.1	.9	.3	.1	5.0
	SG	32	0	370	40	21	9	2	129	11.6	1.3	.7	.3	.1	4.0
	PG	27	1	259	12	36	11	0	59	9.6	.4	1.3	.4	.0	2.2
^†	SG	27	0	412	32	32	20	2	152	15.3	1.2	1.2	.7	.1	5.6
	PF	26	0	406	95	21	9	6	203	15.6	3.7	.8	.3	.2	7.8
^†	C	19	8	316	73	29	13	13	114	16.6	3.8	1.5	.7	.7	6.0
	C	13	4	218	49	14	6	11	84	16.8	3.8	1.1	.5	.8	6.5
	SF	9	0	50	6	4	1	2	14	5.6	.7	.4	.1	.2	1.6
	PF	9	0	46	9	4	0	0	7	5.1	1.0	.4	.0	.0	.8
	PF	6	0	45	7	1	1	0	10	7.5	1.2	.2	.2	.0	1.7
	C	4	3	44	9	1	1	0	13	11.0	2.3	.3	.3	.0	3.3
	SG	4	0	43	5	1	2	0	11	10.8	1.3	.3	.5	.0	2.8

Award winners

• Marcus Camby, First Team, NBA All-Rookie Team

External links

• 1996-97 Toronto Raptors season at Basketball Reference
• 1996-97 Toronto Raptors season at Database Basketball

Notes and References

1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/1997.html 1996-97 Toronto Raptors
2. News: Brown . Clifton . PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade . The New York Times . June 27, 1996 . July 12, 2022.
3. News: Heisler . Mark . The Surprises Are Few . Los Angeles Times . June 27, 1996 . December 1, 2022.
4. News: Cotton . Anthony . For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice . The Washington Post . June 27, 1996 . July 25, 2021.
5. News: Bembry . Jerry . 76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second . The Baltimore Sun . June 27, 1996 . June 2, 2023.
6. Web site: 1996 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 1, 2022.
7. News: Associated Press . BASKETBALL; Malone Fired After a Season . The New York Times . April 23, 1996 . December 27, 2022.
8. News: Cotton . Anthony . Ex-Bullet Walker Tapped as New Coach of Raptors . The Washington Post . April 23, 1996 . December 27, 2022.
9. News: Adande . J.A. . Walker Feels at Ease with Raptors' Reins . The Washington Post . December 5, 1996 . September 24, 2022.
10. News: Raptors Sign Walt Williams for Minimum . The New York Times . August 30, 1996 . September 23, 2022.
11. News: Winderman . Ira . Raptors Get Williams for Minimum . Sun Sentinel . August 30, 1996 . December 27, 2022.
12. News: Raptors Sign Walt Williams for 1 Year . United Press International . August 30, 1996 . July 29, 2021.
13. News: Raptors Get Popeye Jones from Mavs . Associated Press . July 23, 1996 . October 3, 2022.
14. News: Mavs Trade Popeye Jones for Jimmy King . United Press International . July 23, 1996 . October 13, 2021.
15. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Portland Gets Rider, Signs Anderson . Los Angeles Times . July 24, 1996 . January 30, 2023.
16. News: Brown . Clifton . PRO BASKETBALL; Davis Traded by Knicks to Raptors for '97 Pick . The New York Times . July 25, 1996 . January 21, 2022.
17. News: The New York Knicks Eased a Logjam... . Los Angeles Times . July 25, 1996 . October 22, 2022.
18. News: Knicks Trade Davis to Raptors for Top Pick . The Buffalo News . July 25, 1996 . January 14, 2023.
19. News: Associated Press . Raptors Sign Benjamin for Backup Role . Los Angeles Times . October 12, 1996 . September 26, 2022.
20. News: Standard Times . Daily Sports Capsule . South Coast Today . November 13, 1996 . February 2, 2023.
21. News: Toronto, But 50 Years Later . The New York Times . November 1, 1996 . July 5, 2021.
22. News: Wise . Mike . Knicks Finally Show Up for N.B.A.'s Party . The New York Times . November 2, 1996 . September 18, 2022.
23. News: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors Box Score, November 1, 1996 . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2023.
24. News: NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2023.
25. News: Associated Press . Sloan Gets a Longer Deal . Los Angeles Times . February 14, 1997 . February 2, 2023.
26. News: Raptors Sign Center Oliver Miller . Associated Press . November 28, 1997 . July 29, 2021.
27. News: Bucks Trade Shawn Respert for Acie Earl . Associated Press . February 20, 1997 . June 27, 2022.
28. News: Associated Press . Trading Deadline Becomes Much Ado About a Little . Los Angeles Times . February 21, 1997 . February 2, 2023.
29. News: Pacers Make Point in Reacquiring Jackson . The Washington Post . February 21, 1997 . June 21, 2023.
30. Web site: 1996–97 Toronto Raptors Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
31. News: Associated Press . Austin 'Most Improved' . Los Angeles Times . May 4, 1997 . October 3, 2022.
32. News: Sports Briefly . Deseret News . May 4, 1997 . February 2, 2023.
33. News: 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2022.
34. Web site: 1996–97 Toronto Raptors Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
35. News: Associated Press . Two Free Agents Sign . The New York Times . September 5, 1997 . January 21, 2022.
36. News: Shapiro . Mark . 76ers Sign Cummings to 2-Year Deal . Chicago Tribune . September 5, 1997 . January 13, 2023.
37. News: Staff and Wire Reports . NBA Referee Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns . Los Angeles Times . September 5, 1997 . January 13, 2023.
38. News: Wire Reports . Raptors Stun Lakers, 93-92 . The Spokesman Review . November 9, 1996 . June 29, 2022.