1999–2000 Toronto Raptors season

{{Short description|Basketball team season history}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NBA season

| team = Toronto Raptors

| end_year = 2000

| wins = 45

| losses = 37

| division = Central

| division_place = 3

| conf_place = 6

| coach = Butch Carter

| gm = Glen Grunwald

| owners = Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

| arena = Air Canada Centre

| playoffs = First round
(lost to Knicks 0–3)

| bbr_team = TOR

| television =

• CTV Sportsnet
• TSN
• The Score
• CTV

| radio = CJCL

}}

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Raptors' fifth season in the National Basketball Association.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2000.html 1999–2000 Toronto Raptors] In the 1999 NBA draft, the Raptors received the fifth overall pick in a trade with the Denver Nuggets, and selected high school basketball star Jonathan Bender, and also selected Bosnian basketball star Aleksandar Radojević out of Barton Community College with the twelfth overall pick;{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Safety First: The Bulls Make Brand the Top Pick | work = The New York Times | date = July 1, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/01/sports/pro-basketball-safety-first-the-bulls-make-brand-the-top-pick.html | access-date = November 27, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Dukies Are Way Up | work = Los Angeles Times | date = July 1, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-01-sp-52079-story.html | access-date = June 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Denlinger | first = Ken | title = Grizzlies Take Terps' Francis with No. 2 Pick | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = July 1, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1999/draft/articles/draft1.htm | access-date = July 24, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Brand, Francis, Davis Go 1, 2, 3 | work = Associated Press | date = July 1, 1999 | url = https://apnews.com/article/8d75bb7fc3a9c512276da749d3b83154 | access-date = July 15, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1999 NBA Draft | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1999.html | access-date = December 1, 2022}} the team soon traded Bender to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Antonio Davis,{{cite news | title = Pacers' A. Davis for Raptors' Pick | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = July 1, 1999 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/07/01/pacers-a-davis-for-raptors-pick/ | access-date = July 15, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Pacers, Raptors Finalize Trade | work = CBS News | date = August 1, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pacers-raptors-finalize-trade/ | access-date = July 19, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Antonio Davis to Raptors | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = August 1, 1999 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'99-'00season/'99off-season/0801Davis-Bender.html | access-date = November 30, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wertheim | first = L. Jon | title = 8: TORONTO RAPTORS; Antonio Davis Got His Wish: A New Home with the League's Fastest-Rising Squad | work = Sports Illustrated Vault | date = November 1, 1999 | url = https://vault.si.com/vault/1999/11/01/8-toronto-raptors-antonio-davis-got-his-wish-a-new-home-with-the-leagues-fastest-rising-squad | access-date = July 2, 2023}} and signed free agents Muggsy Bogues,{{cite news | title = Raptors Sign Bogues | work = SFGate | date = September 23, 1999 | url = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Raptors-sign-Bogues-3066553.php | access-date = January 30, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL -- TORONTO; Bogues Signs with Raptors | work = The New York Times | date = September 24, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/24/sports/plus-pro-basketball-toronto-bogues-signs-with-raptors.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Alexander | first = Rachel | title = A Musician Who Can Jam | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = December 16, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/12/16/a-musician-who-can-jam/56568bdf-4671-4ad3-8eac-e3aa7b78f75f/ | access-date = October 12, 2022}} and three-point specialist Dell Curry during the off-season.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Curry Dumps Bucks for Raptors | work = CBS News | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/curry-dumps-bucks-for-raptors/ | access-date = January 2, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Magic's Gone, So Hardaway Traded | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-06-sp-63195-story.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Suns Strike Free-Agent Gold by Making Deal for Penny | work = Deseret News | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/8/6/19459273/suns-strike-free-agent-gold-by-making-deal-for-penny | access-date = July 2, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Raptors | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/08/06/raptors-129/ | access-date = July 2, 2023}}

However, Radojević only played just three games with the Raptors due to a left knee injury; Radojević played in the team's season opener at home against the Boston Celtics, and in the team's final two games of the regular season on the road, against the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic.{{cite news | title = Raptor Hurt | newspaper = Eugene Register-Guard | date = November 6, 1999 | page = 3D | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-0xWAAAAIBAJ&dq=Toronto+Raptors+aleksandar+radojevic+knee&pg=PA28&article_id=4609,1401618 | access-date = March 22, 2025}}{{cite web | last = Shipley | first = Amy | title = Austin: Wizards Lacking | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = December 2, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/12/03/austin-wizards-lacking/6efc457d-9c26-4131-973c-7046ff1e044c/ | access-date = March 23, 2025}}{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Radojevic Hopes for Another Shot | work = Deseret News | date = October 26, 2004 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2004/10/26/19857952/radojevic-hopes-for-another-shot/ | access-date = March 23, 2025}}{{cite web | title = Aleksandar Radojević 1999-2000 Game Log | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/radojal01/gamelog/2000 | access-date = March 24, 2025}}

In their first full season playing at the Air Canada Centre, the Raptors got off to a 12–6 start, but then lost five of their next six games. However, the team got better as the regular season progressed, winning seven straight games between February and March, and holding a 26–21 record at the All-Star break.{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=10&year=2000 | access-date = July 22, 2022}} At mid-season, the team traded Alvin Williams to the Celtics in exchange for Danny Fortson, but the trade was voided due to Williams failing his physical exam; Williams only played 55 games this season due to knee injuries.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Fortson Back with Celtics | work = CBS News | date = February 11, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fortson-back-with-celtics/ | access-date = March 28, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Fortson Dealt to Toronto | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = February 11, 2000 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'99-'00season/'99-'00in-season/0209Fortson-Williams.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Celtics Cancel Trade with Raptors | work = Associated Press | date = February 11, 2000 | url = https://apnews.com/article/39cfd6d752fb6f36a403f608cd7b569d | access-date = October 17, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = N.B.A. ROUNDUP -- BOSTON; Trade Rescinded After Williams Flunks Physical | work = The New York Times | date = February 12, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/12/sports/nba-roundup-boston-trade-rescinded-after-williams-flunks-physical.html | access-date = October 17, 2022}} The Raptors showed improvement as they finished in third place in the Central Division with a 45–37 record, and qualified for their first ever playoff appearance.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 Toronto Raptors Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2000_games.html | access-date = June 26, 2021}}

Second-year star Vince Carter averaged 25.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team; he also won the Slam Dunk Contest in Oakland, California,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Carter Scores 50 on 3 of 5 Attempts | work = ESPN | date = February 12, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0212/353519.html | access-date = May 2, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Carter Flies to Dunk Contest Victory | work = The New York Times | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/13/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-carter-flies-to-dunk-contest-victory.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = Victory Is Slam Dunk for Carter | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-13-sp-63914-story.html | access-date = October 12, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Yant | first = Larry | title = Carter Proves He's the InVince-ible Dunker | work = SFGate | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Carter-proves-he-s-the-inVince-ible-dunker-3075630.php | access-date = May 2, 2023}} and was selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game, which was his first ever All-Star appearance.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Stockton, Malone Among All-Star Reserves | work = ESPN | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0201/328614.html | access-date = May 2, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA All-Star Team Selected | work = CBS News | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-all-star-team-selected/ | access-date = May 2, 2023}}{{cite news | title = NBA All-Star 2000 | work = Deseret News | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/13/19490723/nba-all-star-2000 | access-date = January 9, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2000 | access-date = May 15, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Game: West 137, East 126 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000.html | access-date = November 27, 2021}} In addition, Tracy McGrady averaged 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, while Doug Christie contributed 12.4 points, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Davis provided the team with 11.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Meanwhile Kevin Willis provided with 7.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game off the bench, and Charles Oakley contributed 6.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 Toronto Raptors Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2000.html | access-date = June 26, 2021}} Carter also finished in tenth place in Most Valuable Player voting,{{cite news | last = Nadel | first = John | title = THE NBA: Shaq Runaway MVP | work = Kitsap Sun | date = May 10, 2000 | url = https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/05-10/0072_the_nba__shaq_runaway_mvp.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}} while McGrady finished tied in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and in fifth place in Most Improved Player voting.{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = As Rose Blossoms, the Accolades Come | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 25, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-25-sp-34012-story.html | access-date = March 15, 2024}}{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2000.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}}

However, in the postseason, the Raptors were swept in the Eastern Conference First Round by the New York Knicks in three straight games.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = First Task Complete, Now the Heat | work = The New York Times | date = April 30, 2000 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/050100bkn-knicks.html | access-date = July 16, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks Move On with "Lucky One" | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 1, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-01-sp-25350-story.html | access-date = November 26, 2022}}{{cite news | title = New York 87, Toronto 80 | work = United Press International | date = April 30, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/04/30/New-York-87-Toronto-80/3479957067200/ | access-date = June 3, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Raptors vs. Knicks | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-raptors-vs-knicks.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}} Following the season, McGrady was traded to the Orlando Magic,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: BASKETBALL -- ORLANDO; McGrady Will Play Close to Home | work = The New York Times | date = July 15, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/15/sports/plus-basketball-orlando-mcgrady-will-play-close-to-home.html | access-date = July 23, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = With Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill, Orlando Has a New... | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = August 3, 2000 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2000-08-03-0008030327-story.html | access-date = June 8, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Hill, McGrady, and DeClercq Come to Orlando | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = August 3, 2000 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'00-'01/2000_off-season/080300Hill_T-Mac.html | access-date = July 3, 2023}}{{cite news | title = NBA Roundup | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 4, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/08/04/nba-roundup/c15e840f-d91e-40aa-bf78-5940dae54772/ | access-date = July 1, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Sign-and-Trade Deals Send Hill, McGrady to Magic | work = Deseret News | date = August 4, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/8/4/19521992/sign-and-trade-deals-send-hill-mcgrady-to-magic | access-date = December 15, 2022}} while Christie was dealt to the Sacramento Kings,{{cite news | title = NBA Approves Raptors-Kings Trade | work = Associated Press | date = September 29, 2000 | url = https://apnews.com/article/19ba69530c1ef7ce77e2434be8f510ca | access-date = December 28, 2021}}{{cite news | title = Raptors Get Williamson for Christie | work = United Press International | date = September 29, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/09/29/Raptors-get-Williamson-for-Christie/4870970200000/ | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Williamson Joins Raptors' Big Men | work = The New York Times | date = September 30, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/30/sports/plus-pro-basketball-williamson-joins-raptors-big-men.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last = White | first = Lonnie | title = Around the NBA | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 30, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-30-sp-29352-story.html | access-date = May 17, 2023}} Dee Brown signed as a free agent with the Magic,{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Magic Will Add Reid, Fill Roster | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = August 15, 2000 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2000-08-15-0008150274-story.html | access-date = July 15, 2022}} and head coach Butch Carter was fired.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: BASKETBALL; Raptors Fire Carter | work = The New York Times | date = June 14, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/14/sports/plus-basketball-raptors-fire-carter.html | access-date = November 7, 2022}}

Butch Carter was fired on June 13, 2000, after the organization decided they wanted a return of "stability" to the franchise.{{cite web| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-disintegration-of-butch-carter/article1040694/| title = The disintegration of Butch Carter - The Globe and Mail| website = The Globe and Mail| date = June 14, 2000}} In his last season as coach of the Raptors, he invited friend and rap star Percy Miller, otherwise known as Master P, to the pre-season training camp to try out for the team.{{cite news | title = Raptors Waive Two; Master P "Crushed" | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = October 28, 1999 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/10/28/raptors-waive-two-master-p-crushed/ | access-date = September 15, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = After Lockout, Plan Is to Lock in Success | work = Los Angeles Times | date = November 7, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-07-sp-31074-story.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}}{{Ref|Firing}} Carter claimed it was an attempt to deflect media attention away from Vince Carter, but was criticized for trying to draw attention to himself and his friendship with Miller. Carter also released a book where he claimed that his coach at Indiana University, Bobby Knight, had launched into a racist tirade during practice, which Knight denied.{{Ref|Firing}}

Carter was involved in public feuds with Vince Carter and McGrady,{{Ref|Firing}} limiting their minutes because he did not want to burn them out in their young careers. Carter also had an off-court feud with his ex-wife.{{Ref|Firing}} During the opening round of the 2000 NBA Playoffs against the Knicks, Knicks center and former Raptors player Marcus Camby, who had played under Carter during the second half of the 1997–98 season, made what Carter considered an inflammatory remark about Carter by calling him a "liar", and Carter decided to file a $5-million defamation suit against him for what he said were inaccurate statements.{{cite news | last = Nobles | first = Charlie | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Coach of Raptors Not Ruffled by Camby | work = The New York Times | date = April 21, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/21/sports/pro-basketball-coach-of-raptors-not-ruffled-by-camby.html | access-date = November 7, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Raptor Coach Files Defamation Suit Against Camby | work = The New York Times | date = April 23, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/23/sports/pro-basketball-raptor-coach-files-defamation-suit-against-camby.html | access-date = November 7, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Raptor Coach Sues Camby After Being Called "Liar" | work = Los Angeles Times | date = April 23, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-23-sp-22726-story.html | access-date = July 3, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wyche | first = Steve | title = Knicks Have the Answer in Round 1 | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = April 24, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/04/24/knicks-have-the-answer-in-round-1/c4bc727e-5724-48b5-b204-1c5a9ad0f8b0/ | access-date = July 3, 2023}}{{Ref|Firing}} NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik believed it was a frivolous suit and criticized Carter for filing it,Statement made before the April 23, 2000 NBA on NBC broadcast of Game 1 of the 2000 Eastern Conference first round playoffs between the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden which led to Carter dropping the suit.{{Ref|Firing}}

In his last few weeks as Raptors coach, Butch Carter made attempts to ouster friend Glen Grunwald as General Manager, and was cited as one of the reasons why McGrady decided to leave the team and sign with the Orlando Magic.{{Ref|Firing}} The Raptors organization, players, and fans all had decided that Carter's off-court issues were too much of a distraction for the team going forward.{{Ref|Firing}}

This season saw the Raptors change their uniforms, adding side panels to their jerseys and shorts.{{cite web | title = Toronto Raptors Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/2acw5jgrgyuwowef2dg2inna9/Toronto_Raptors/2000/Primary_White_Uniform | access-date = July 15, 2021}}{{cite web | title = Toronto Raptors Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/fe53k721mrugqx0zhofzfzbut/Toronto_Raptors/2000/Primary_Dark_Uniform | access-date = July 15, 2021}} The home jerseys remained in use until 2006, while the road jerseys lasted until 2003, where the city name "Toronto" was replaced with the team name "Raptors" on the front of their jerseys.