1996–97 Toronto Raptors season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the second season for the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association.^[1] The Raptors received the second overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected center Marcus Camby from the University of Massachusetts,^[2][3][4] and started their season with new head coach Darrell Walker.^[5][6][7] Veteran leadership was added as the team signed free agent Walt Williams,^[8][9][10] acquired Popeye Jones from the Dallas Mavericks,^[11][12][13] acquired three-point specialist Hubert Davis from the New York Knicks,^[14][15] 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.^[16][17]

1996–97 Toronto Raptors season
Head coach	Darrell Walker
General manager	Isiah Thomas
Owner(s)	John Bitove
Arena	SkyDome Copps Coliseum Maple Leaf Gardens
Results
Record	30–52 (.366)
Place	Division: 8th (Central) Conference: 12th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	TSN CKVR CityTV CTV
Radio	CFRB
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the NBA, the Raptors started the regular 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.^[18][19][20] The Raptors got off to a 3–3 start to the regular season, but then lost six straight games afterwards, and held a 17–29 record at the All-Star break.^[21] At mid-season, the team re-signed free agent Oliver Miller after a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks,^[22][23] and traded Acie Earl to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for second-year guard Shawn Respert,^[24][25][26] while signing free agents Reggie Slater and Clifford Rozier. The Raptors finished in last place in the Central Division with a 30–52 record, which was a nine-game improvement over their inaugural season.^[27]

Second-year star Damon Stoudamire averaged 20.2 points, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and led the Raptors with 176 three-point field goals, while Williams averaged 16.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and contributed 175 three-point field goals, and Camby provided the team with 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, Doug Christie contributed 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, along with 147 three-point field goals, and finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting,^[28][29] 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.^[30]

Following the season, Davis signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks,^[31][32][33] while Rozier signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Long retired.

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	2	Marcus Camby	C/PF	United States	UMass

Roster

1996–97 Toronto Raptors roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From C 21 Marcus Camby 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1974–03–22 UMass G 13 Doug Christie 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1970–05–09 Pepperdine G 44 Hubert Davis 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1970–05–17 North Carolina F 54 Popeye Jones 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1970–06–17 Murray State F 32 Martin Lewis 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1975–04–28 Seward County CC G 25 John Long 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1956–08–28 Detroit Mercy C 2 Oliver Miller 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 280 lb (127 kg) 1970–04–06 Arkansas G 31 Shawn Respert 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1972–02–06 Michigan State F 34 Carlos Rogers 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1971–02–06 Tennessee State C 7 Clifford Rozier 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1972–10–31 Louisville F 24 Reggie Slater 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1970–08–27 Wyoming G 20 Damon Stoudamire 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 1973–09–03 Arizona C 3 Žan Tabak 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1970–06–15 Croatia F 42 Walt Williams 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1970–04–16 Maryland C 4 Sharone Wright 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1973–01–30 Clemson

Head coach Darrell Walker Assistant(s) John Shumate Jim Thomas Bob Zuffelato Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Updated: February 20, 1997

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.^[18]
• 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.^[34]
• 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.

Season standings

Central Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–	39–2	30–11	24–4
x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13	36–5	20–21	17–11
x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	17–11
x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	14–14
Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27	25–16	17–24	13–15
Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30	21–20	18–23	11–17
Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36	20–21	13–28	10–18
Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39	18–23	12–29	6–22

1996–97 NBA East standings

#	Eastern Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–
2	y-Miami Heat	61	21	.744	8
3	x-New York Knicks	57	25	.695	12
4	x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13
5	x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15
6	x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15
7	x-Orlando Magic	45	37	.549	24
8	x-Washington Bullets	44	38	.537	25
9	Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27
10	Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30
11	Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36
12	Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39
13	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	43
14	Philadelphia 76ers	22	60	.268	47
15	Boston Celtics	15	67	.183	54

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 NBA Records
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
Atlanta	—	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
Boston	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
Charlotte	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
Chicago	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
Cleveland	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
Dallas	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
Denver	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
Detroit	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
Golden State	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
Houston	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
Indiana	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
L.A. Clippers	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
Miami	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
Milwaukee	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
Minnesota	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
New Jersey	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
New York	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
Orlando	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
Philadelphia	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
Phoenix	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
Portland	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
Sacramento	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
San Antonio	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
Seattle	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
Utah	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
Vancouver	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

1996–97 game log
November: 4–10 (home: 4–6; road: 0–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 November 1 New York L 99–107 Damon Stoudamire (28) Popeye Jones (9) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 28,457 0–1 2 November 2 @ Charlotte L 98–109 Damon Stoudamire (19) Carlos Rogers (8) Damon Stoudamire (5) Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 0–2 3 November 5 Dallas W 100–96 Walt Williams (34) Carlos Rogers (12) Damon Stoudamire (8) SkyDome 17,065 1–2 4 November 8 L.A. Lakers W 93–92 Damon Stoudamire (21) Damon Stoudamire (10) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 27,357 2-2 5 November 11 Denver L 93–104 Marcus Camby (26) Carlos Rogers (9) Damon Stoudamire (6) SkyDome 17,132 2–3 6 November 13 Philadelphia W 110–98 Marcus Camby (23) Popeye Jones (14) Damon Stoudamire (12) SkyDome 17,385 3-3 7 November 14 @ New York L 96–99 Marcus Camby (29) Popeye Jones (8) Damon Stoudamire (13) Madison Square Garden 19,763 3–4 8 November 16 @ Orlando L 87–92 Walt Williams (29) Doug Christie (7) Damon Stoudamire (5) Orlando Arena 17,248 3–5 9 November 19 Seattle L 98–106 Doug Christie (31) Popeye Jones (11) Marcus Camby (4) SkyDome 18,803 3–6 10 November 21 Cleveland L 81–89 Damon Stoudamire (24) Acie Earl (8) Damon Stoudamire (6) SkyDome 16,835 3–7 11 November 23 Atlanta L 88–91 Damon Stoudamire (22) Popeye Jones (9) Damon Stoudamire (8) SkyDome 16,838 3–8 12 November 26 Sacramento L 87–98 Damon Stoudamire (27) Popeye Jones (16) Damon Stoudamire (6) SkyDome 15,037 3–9 13 November 27 Charlotte W 92–88 Walt Williams (23) Popeye Jones (18) Damon Stoudamire (6) SkyDome 15,710 4–9 14 November 30 @ Minnesota L 70–79 Damon Stoudamire (20) Popeye Jones (15) Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (4) Target Center 18,679 4–10
December: 6–9 (home: 5–2; road: 1–7) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 15 December 2 Houston W 100–89 Damon Stoudamire (27) Popeye Jones (13) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 17,108 5–10 16 December 3 @ Cleveland L 74–93 Doug Christie, Acie Earl (16) Popeye Jones (9) Damon Stoudamire (11) Gund Arena 13,494 5–11 17 December 5 Washington W 82–80 Walt Williams (29) Popeye Jones (13) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 15,222 6–11 18 December 7 @ Atlanta L 75–101 Walt Williams (17) Popeye Jones (10) Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (3) Omni Coliseum 11,422 6–12 19 December 8 Chicago W 97–89 Damon Stoudamire (31) Popeye Jones (18) Damon Stoudamire (13) SkyDome 33,385 7–12 20 December 10 Golden State L 91–101 Damon Stoudamire (19) Carlos Rogers (8) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 15,132 7–13 21 December 11 @ Boston L 113–115 (3OT) Damon Stoudamire (31) Popeye Jones (21) Damon Stoudamire (12) FleetCenter 14,760 7–14 22 December 14 @ Miami L 88–89 Walt Williams (18) Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (8) Doug Christie (6) Miami Arena 14,712 7–15 23 December 16 Detroit L 92–98 Damon Stoudamire (28) Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (6) Damon Stoudamire (8) SkyDome 16,546 7–16 24 December 17 @ New Jersey W 97–88 Walt Williams (24) Popeye Jones (12) Doug Christie, Popeye Jones (3) Continental Airlines Arena 10,078 8–16 25 December 19 Milwaukee W 96–93 Damon Stoudamire (19) Popeye Jones (17) Damon Stoudamire (12) SkyDome 15,321 9–16 26 December 20 @ Cleveland L 82–91 Carlos Rogers (18) Doug Christie (8) Damon Stoudamire (7) Gund Arena 14,624 9–17 27 December 22 @ Indiana L 92–111 Carlos Rogers (15) Popeye Jones (11) Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (3) Market Square Arena 14,533 9–18 28 December 26 New Jersey W 98–96 Damon Stoudamire (18) Popeye Jones (11) Doug Christie (7) Copps Coliseum 16,630 9–19 29 December 27 @ Washington L 82–100 Doug Christie (20) Marcus Camby (10) Damon Stoudamire (8) USAir Arena 18,756 10–19
January: 5–9 (home: 3–3; road: 2–6) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 30 January 2 @ Orlando L 94–96 (OT) Damon Stoudamire (32) Popeye Jones (11) Damon Stoudamire (12) Orlando Arena 17,248 10–20 31 January 4 @ Detroit L 74–118 Doug Christie (20) Popeye Jones (7) Damon Stoudamire (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 10–21 32 January 7 L.A. Clippers L 80–87 Damon Stoudamire (25) Doug Christie (11) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 15,249 10–22 33 January 9 Utah W 110–96 Damon Stoudamire (27) Popeye Jones (14) Doug Christie (10) SkyDome 12,410 11–22 34 January 11 @ New Jersey W 123–106 Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (28) Marcus Camby, Popeye Jones (9) Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (9) Continental Airlines Arena 15,527 12–22 35 January 12 Orlando L 85–88 Walt Williams (22) Popeye Jones (10) Damon Stoudamire (14) SkyDome 21,416 12–23 36 January 15 @ Seattle L 78–122 Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (15) Carlos Rogers, Walt Williams (7) Damon Stoudamire (7) KeyArena 17,072 12–24 37 January 17 @ Portland W 94–92 Damon Stoudamire (24) Popeye Jones (12) Doug Christie (8) Rose Garden 20,212 13–24 38 January 19 @ Vancouver L 92–100 Damon Stoudamire (34) Marcus Camby (11) Damon Stoudamire (6) General Motors Place 17,474 13–25 39 January 21 Minnesota W 118–106 Walt Williams (32) Popeye Jones (10) Damon Stoudamire (17) SkyDome 15,589 14–25 40 January 23 Miami L 87–99 Walt Williams (23) Marcus Camby (10) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 15,817 14–26 41 January 25 @ Chicago L 98–110 Damon Stoudamire (26) Popeye Jones (16) Damon Stoudamire (11) United Center 23,913 14–27 42 January 28 Portland W 120–84 Doug Christie (33) Clifford Rozier (11) Damon Stoudamire (13) SkyDome 15,327 15–27 43 January 29 @ Philadelphia L 99–101 Damon Stoudamire (25) Popeye Jones (10) Doug Christie (6) CoreStates Center 11,251 15–28
February: 5–9 (home: 2–4; road: 3–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 44 February 1 Phoenix W 110–86 Walt Williams (33) Popeye Jones (14) Damon Stoudamire (13) SkyDome 19,405 16–28 45 February 3 Boston L 102–114 Damon Stoudamire (26) Popeye Jones (11) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 15,259 16–29 46 February 5 Cleveland W 89–84 Walt Williams (26) Clifford Rozier (9) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 16,520 17–29 47 February 11 @ Milwaukee L 96–101 Walt Williams (27) Popeye Jones (14) Damon Stoudamire (12) Bradley Center 13,257 17–30 48 February 12 @ Atlanta L 84–106 Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (15) Clifford Rozier (7) Damon Stoudamire (3) Omni Coliseum 13,846 17–31 49 February 14 Milwaukee L 102–106 Marcus Camby (21) Oliver Miller (12) Damon Stoudamire (14) Maple Leaf Gardens 15,193 17–32 50 February 16 Detroit L 89–92 Walt Williams (22) Clifford Rozier (11) Damon Stoudamire (15) Maple Leaf Gardens 15,492 17–33 51 February 17 @ Indiana L 103–105 Damon Stoudamire (23) Oliver Miller (8) Damon Stoudamire (11) Market Square Arena 14,298 17–34 52 February 19 @ San Antonio W 125–92 Damon Stoudamire (21) Popeye Jones (11) Damon Stoudamire (9) Alamodome 13,179 18–34 53 February 20 @ Houston L 97–107 Damon Stoudamire (17) Popeye Jones (10) Damon Stoudamire (7) The Summit 16,285 18–35 54 February 22 @ Dallas W 99–92 Doug Christie (22) Oliver Miller (8) Damon Stoudamire (9) Reunion Arena 16,314 19–35 55 February 25 @ Denver W 124–122 (OT) Damon Stoudamire (35) Popeye Jones (7) Damon Stoudamire (5) McNichols Sports Arena 9,225 20–35 56 February 27 @ Utah L 114–118 Walt Williams (32) Popeye Jones, Carlos Rogers (8) Damon Stoudamire (8) Delta Center 19,911 20–36 57 February 28 @ L.A. Clippers L 92–94 Damon Stoudamire (22) Carlos Rogers (11) Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (5) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 8,574 20–37
March: 6–10 (home: 3–7; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 58 March 3 Boston L 103–107 Carlos Rogers (17) Carlos Rogers, Damon Stoudamire (7) Damon Stoudamire (17) SkyDome 15,385 20–38 59 March 5 New York L 94–100 Marcus Camby, Doug Christie (24) Marcus Camby (9) Damon Stoudamire (8) SkyDome 18,319 20–39 60 March 7 San Antonio L 103–106 Damon Stoudamire (25) Marcus Camby (9) Doug Christie (9) SkyDome 16,178 20–40 61 March 9 Vancouver W 81–77 Walt Williams (16) Marcus Camby (12) Damon Stoudamire (10) SkyDome 19,186 21–40 62 March 11 @ Phoenix W 105–101 Marcus Camby (23) Clifford Rozier (14) Damon Stoudamire (9) America West Arena 19,023 22–40 63 March 13 @ Sacramento W 103–96 Damon Stoudamire (31) Marcus Camby, Walt Williams (6) Damon Stoudamire (6) ARCO Arena 17,317 23–40 64 March 15 @ Golden State L 102–106 Marcus Camby (27) Marcus Camby (9) Damon Stoudamire (14) San Jose Arena 15,058 23–41 65 March 16 @ L.A. Lakers L 90–98 (OT) Damon Stoudamire (25) Marcus Camby (11) Damon Stoudamire (8) Great Western Forum 16,839 23–42 66 March 18 Philadelphia W 117–105 Marcus Camby (36) Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (10) Damon Stoudamire (12) Maple Leaf Gardens 15,219 24–42 67 March 19 @ Detroit W 99–97 Marcus Camby (28) Marcus Camby (14) Doug Christie (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 25–42 68 March 21 Charlotte L 97–102 Damon Stoudamire (29) Marcus Camby (16) Doug Christie (9) SkyDome 16,993 25–43 69 March 23 Atlanta L 79–90 Marcus Camby (37) Marcus Camby, Walt Williams (8) Damon Stoudamire (9) SkyDome 18,533 25–44 70 March 25 Indiana L 84–98 Walt Williams (16) Marcus Camby (10) Damon Stoudamire (6) SkyDome 15,763 25–45 71 March 27 Chicago L 83–96 Damon Stoudamire (18) Clifford Rozier (10) Damon Stoudamire (12) SkyDome 34,104 25–46 72 March 28 @ Washington L 86–113 Doug Christie (17) Reggie Slater (10) Damon Stoudamire (3) USAir Arena 18,756 25–47 73 March 30 Miami W 102–97 Damon Stoudamire (35) Popeye Jones (12) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 17,959 26–47
April: 4–5 (home: 1–2; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 74 April 2 @ Philadelphia W 112–90 Doug Christie (29) Doug Christie (15) Damon Stoudamire (15) CoreStates Center 13,769 27–47 75 April 5 @ Miami L 84–98 Damon Stoudamire (25) Marcus Camby, Clifford Rozier (6) Damon Stoudamire (7) Miami Arena 15,200 27–48 76 April 8 Washington W 100–94 Damon Stoudamire (29) Clifford Rozier (10) Damon Stoudamire (13) SkyDome 17,159 28–48 77 April 10 Orlando L 69–105 Sharone Wright (17) Popeye Jones (12) Damon Stoudamire (5) SkyDome 20,280 28–49 78 April 12 Indiana L 89–100 Damon Stoudamire (22) Popeye Jones, Clifford Rozier (11) Damon Stoudamire (11) SkyDome 21,832 28–50 79 April 14 @ Chicago L 100–117 Damon Stoudamire (29) Carlos Rogers (12) Damon Stoudamire (12) United Center 23,896 28–51 80 April 15 @ Milwaukee L 85–92 Reggie Slater (19) Clifford Rozier (13) Damon Stoudamire (11) Bradley Center 14,652 28–52 81 April 18 @ Charlotte W 108–100 Damon Stoudamire (28) Marcus Camby, Popeye Jones (8) Damon Stoudamire (9) Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 29–52 82 April 20 @ Boston W 125–94 Damon Stoudamire (32) Popeye Jones (12) Damon Stoudamire (6) FleetCenter 17,820 30–52
1996–97 season schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player	POS	GP	GS	MP	REB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS	MPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Damon Stoudamire	PG	81	81	3,311	330	709	123	13	1,634	40.9	4.1	8.8	1.5	.2	20.2
Doug Christie	SG	81	81	3,127	432	315	201	45	1,176	38.6	5.3	3.9	2.5	.6	14.5
Popeye Jones	PF	79	61	2,421	680	84	58	39	616	30.6	8.6	1.1	.7	.5	7.8
Walt Williams	SF	73	73	2,647	367	197	97	62	1,199	36.3	5.0	2.7	1.3	.8	16.4
Marcus Camby	C	63	38	1,897	394	97	66	130	935	30.1	6.3	1.5	1.0	2.1	14.8
Sharone Wright	C	60	28	1,009	186	28	15	50	390	16.8	3.1	.5	.3	.8	6.5
Carlos Rogers	PF	56	3	1,397	304	37	42	69	551	24.9	5.4	.7	.8	1.2	9.8
Clifford Rozier†	C	41	29	732	234	31	24	44	189	17.9	5.7	.8	.6	1.1	4.6
Acie Earl†	C	38	0	457	85	18	12	27	162	12.0	2.2	.5	.3	.7	4.3
Hubert Davis	SG	36	0	623	40	34	11	2	181	17.3	1.1	.9	.3	.1	5.0
John Long	SG	32	0	370	40	21	9	2	129	11.6	1.3	.7	.3	.1	4.0
Donald Whiteside	PG	27	1	259	12	36	11	0	59	9.6	.4	1.3	.4	.0	2.2
Shawn Respert†	SG	27	0	412	32	32	20	2	152	15.3	1.2	1.2	.7	.1	5.6
Reggie Slater	PF	26	0	406	95	21	9	6	203	15.6	3.7	.8	.3	.2	7.8
Oliver Miller†	C	19	8	316	73	29	13	13	114	16.6	3.8	1.5	.7	.7	6.0
Žan Tabak	C	13	4	218	49	14	6	11	84	16.8	3.8	1.1	.5	.8	6.5
Martin Lewis	SF	9	0	50	6	4	1	2	14	5.6	.7	.4	.1	.2	1.6
Earl Cureton	PF	9	0	46	9	4	0	0	7	5.1	1.0	.4	.0	.0	.8
Brad Lohaus	PF	6	0	45	7	1	1	0	10	7.5	1.2	.2	.2	.0	1.7
Benoit Benjamin	C	4	3	44	9	1	1	0	13	11.0	2.3	.3	.3	.0	3.3
Jimmy Oliver	SG	4	0	43	5	1	2	0	11	10.8	1.3	.3	.5	.0	2.8

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

Award winners

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

Transactions