Editing Toronto Raptors (section)

====Naming the team ====
Initial sentiment was in favour of reviving the Huskies nickname, but team management realized it would be nearly impossible to design a logo that did not substantially resemble that of the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] to avoid confusion with that team.<ref>{{cite book |last=Donovan |first=Michael Leo |date=1997 |title=The Name Game: Football, Baseball, Hockey & Basketball How Your Favorite Sports Teams Were Named |publisher=Warwick Publishing |location=Toronto |isbn=1-895629-74-8 }}</ref> As a result, a nationwide contest was held to help name the team and develop their colours and logo. Over 2,000 entries were narrowed down to ten prospects: Beavers, Bobcats, Dragons, Grizzlies, Hogs, Raptors, Scorpions, T-Rex, Tarantulas, and Terriers.<ref name="groundwork" /> The final selection—''Toronto Raptors''—was unveiled on Canadian national television on May 15, 1994:<ref name="groundwork" /> the choice was influenced by the popularity of the [[Jurassic Park (film)|1993 film adaption]] of the 1990 [[science fiction]] novel ''[[Jurassic Park (novel)|Jurassic Park]]'' by [[Michael Crichton]]; The name "Raptor" is a common informal name for the ''[[Velociraptor]]'', a species of dinosaur featured in the film. On May 24, 1994, the team's logo and first general manager, [[Isiah Thomas]], were revealed at a press conference.<ref name="groundwork" /> As part of the deal, Thomas received an option to purchase part of the team, reportedly for under market value.<ref>{{cite news|title='Piston for life' Thomas named Raptors' GM NBA superstar to have 10% stake in new franchise|date=May 25, 1994|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|last=Young|first=Chris}}</ref><ref name=double/> He would purchase 4.5 per cent in May 1995<ref>{{cite news|title=Raptors' Thomas 'voice of reason' in NBA talks|date=August 13, 1995|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|last=Young|first=Chris}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thomas is key player on Raptors' court He handles everything but the ball for new basketball squad|date=October 19, 1995|first=David|last=Israelson|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref> and a further 4.5 per cent in December 1995,<ref name=double>{{cite news|title=Thomas to double stake in Raptors Price undisclosed, but thought to be bargain for Toronto GM|date=December 29, 1995|last=Campbell|first=Neil|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thomas to up stake in Raptors|date=December 28, 1995|newspaper=[[Vancouver Sun|The Vancouver Sun]]}}</ref> half each from Bitove and Slaight, decreasing their share to 39.5 per cent.<ref name=groundwork/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/10/21/Franchises/RAPTORS-UP-FOR-GRABS-AS-SLAIGHT-ENACTS-BUYOUT-CLAUSE.aspx|title=RAPTORS UP FOR GRABS AS SLAIGHT ENACTS BUYOUT CLAUSE|date=October 21, 1996|access-date=December 27, 2013|archive-date=December 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228222845/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/10/21/Franchises/RAPTORS-UP-FOR-GRABS-AS-SLAIGHT-ENACTS-BUYOUT-CLAUSE.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The team's colours of bright red, purple, black, and silver were also revealed; "Naismith" silver was chosen to honour Canadian [[James Naismith]], the inventor of basketball.<ref name="groundwork" /> The team originally competed in the [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]],<ref name="9596stand">{{cite web|title=1995–96 Standings|url=http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19951996.html|website=www.nba.com|access-date=June 16, 2007|archive-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116204720/http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19951996.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and before the inaugural season began, sales of Raptors merchandise ranked seventh in the league, marking a successful return of professional basketball to Canada.<ref name="groundwork" />