November 3rd, 1995

On this day in 1995, the NBA's newest expansion team, the Toronto Raptors, won their very first game in the league against the NJ Nets 94-79.  The Raptors were the NBA's first expansion team since 1989's inclusion of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic.

Most notably, the Raptors gained popularity by becoming the second such sports franchise to gain notoriety by choosing a mascot name based on a crappy, yet popular, 1990's movie.  Anaheim Ducks.  Jurassic Park.



Hey, we'll give the Ducks credit.  At least it was a sports movie, and they didn't fall into the trap of adapting those putrid jerseys worn in the movie.  Sorry, Bombay, they suck.

Impress your co-workers: the Toronto Raptors were part of the infamous 90's "teal and purple" sports color trend.  Can you name the bazillion other expansion teams that fell under this phenomenon? Our very own Josh Bacott certainly did in our most recent podcast (cue commercial).