1997–98 Toronto Raptors season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Raptors' third season in the National Basketball Association. In the 1997 NBA draft, the Raptors selected high school basketball star Tracy McGrady with the ninth overall pick,    and acquired second-year forward John Wallace from the New York Knicks in a three-team trade during the off-season. In November, Isiah Thomas resigned as general manager, and later took up a job as color analyst for the NBA on NBC. After a 1–2 start, the Raptors struggled posting a 17-game losing streak, leading to a dreadful 1–19 start. The team later on improved in January with a 6–8 record, including a four-game winning streak, and held an 11–36 record at the All-Star break.

At midseason, the team traded Damon Stoudamire along with Walt Williams, and Carlos Rogers to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Kenny Anderson, Gary Trent and rookie guard Alvin Williams, as head coach Darrell Walker resigned after 49 games. However, Anderson refused to play for the Raptors and was dealt along with Popeye Jones, and Žan Tabak to the Boston Celtics in exchange for top draft pick Chauncey Billups and Dee Brown. The team also released Shawn Respert to free agency, where he later on signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks. Under interim Butch Carter, the Raptors continued to struggle posting a 5–28 record for the remainder of the season, which included a 13-game losing streak between March and April, and finishing last place in the Central Division with a franchise worst record of 16–66.

Doug Christie averaged 16.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, while Wallace averaged 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and second-year star Marcus Camby provided the team with 12.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and led the league with 3.7 blocks per game. In addition, Reggie Slater contributed 8.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while McGrady provided with 7.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game off the bench, and Miller averaged 6.3 points and rebounds per game each.

This was also the Raptors' final full season playing at the SkyDome. Following the season, Camby was traded to the New York Knicks,   while Billups was traded to the Denver Nuggets,   Trent signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks,   Oliver Miller was released to free agency, and Sharone Wright, who only played just seven games this season due to an off-season car accident, retired after four seasons in the NBA.

Regular season
In February 1998, Damon Stoudamire was traded by the Raptors along with Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers to the Portland Trail Blazers, for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gary Trent, two first-round draft choices, a second-round draft choice and an amount of money. Anderson refused to report to the team, because he did not want to play in Canada. He was then sent along with Popeye Jones and Žan Tabak to the Boston Celtics for Chauncey Billups, Dee Brown, John Thomas and Roy Rogers.

Highs
In his second year Marcus Camby lead the league in blocks with 3.7 per game

Lows
A seventeen-game losing streak at the start of the season. Their season was over before it even started.

Game log

 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 1
 * October 31
 * @ Miami
 * Doug Christie, Walt Williams (18)
 * Marcus Camby (12)
 * Walt Williams (4)
 * Miami Arena 14,795
 * 0-1
 * 0-1


 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 2
 * November 1
 * @ Atlanta
 * Damon Stoudamire (21)
 * Popeye Jones (7)
 * Damon Stoudamire (6)
 * Alexander Memorial Coliseum 8,539
 * 0-2
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 3
 * November 4
 * Golden State
 * John Wallace (17)
 * Doug Christie (8)
 * Damon Stoudamire (13)
 * SkyDome 16,624
 * 1-2
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 6
 * Seattle
 * Damon Stoudamire (22)
 * Marcus Camby (9)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * SkyDome 15,459
 * 1-3
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 8
 * @ Orlando
 * Marcus Camby (17)
 * Doug Christie (7)
 * Damon Stoudamire (9)
 * Orlando Arena 17,248
 * 1-4
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 10
 * San Antonio
 * Doug Christie (26)
 * Popeye Jones (12)
 * Damon Stoudamire (13)
 * SkyDome 18,174
 * 1-5
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 12
 * New York
 * John Wallace (13)
 * Popeye Jones (7)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * SkyDome 18,143
 * 1-6
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 8
 * November 14
 * @ Boston
 * Walt Williams (25)
 * Walt Williams (12)
 * Damon Stoudamire (9)
 * FleetCenter 17,224
 * 1-7
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 15
 * Indiana
 * John Wallace (17)
 * Tracy McGrady (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (14)
 * SkyDome 17,188
 * 1-8
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 18
 * Boston
 * John Wallace (30)
 * John Wallace (12)
 * Shawn Respert, Damon Stoudamire (6)
 * SkyDome 16,343
 * 1-9
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 11
 * November 20
 * @ Houston
 * Damon Stoudamire (25)
 * Damon Stoudamire (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (4)
 * Compaq Center 16,285
 * 1-10
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 12
 * November 22
 * @ Miami
 * John Wallace (28)
 * Žan Tabak (9)
 * Damon Stoudamire (11)
 * Miami Arena 14,381
 * 1-11
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 24
 * Portland
 * Damon Stoudamire (29)
 * Popeye Jones, Reggie Slater (7)
 * Damon Stoudamire (11)
 * SkyDome 15,051
 * 1-12
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 14
 * November 26
 * Atlanta
 * John Wallace (30)
 * Popeye Jones (16)
 * Damon Stoudamire (13)
 * SkyDome 15,639
 * 1-13
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 15
 * November 28
 * @ Dallas
 * Doug Christie (27)
 * John Wallace (10)
 * Damon Stoudamire (6)
 * Reunion Arena 13,327
 * 1-14
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 30
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * John Wallace (25)
 * Popeye Jones (9)
 * Damon Stoudamire (11)
 * Great Western Forum 14,940
 * 1-15
 * Doug Christie (27)
 * John Wallace (10)
 * Damon Stoudamire (6)
 * Reunion Arena 13,327
 * 1-14
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 30
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * John Wallace (25)
 * Popeye Jones (9)
 * Damon Stoudamire (11)
 * Great Western Forum 14,940
 * 1-15
 * 1-15


 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 17
 * December 3
 * @ Utah
 * Damon Stoudamire (25)
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * Oliver Miller (4)
 * Delta Center 19,590
 * 1-16
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 18
 * December 5
 * @ Phoenix
 * John Wallace (20)
 * Oliver Miller (9)
 * Damon Stoudamire (4)
 * America West Arena 19,023
 * 1-17
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 19
 * December 7
 * Detroit
 * John Wallace (23)
 * Oliver Miller (9)
 * Damon Stoudamire (9)
 * SkyDome 16,289
 * 1-18
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 9
 * Charlotte
 * Damon Stoudamire (20)
 * Oliver Miller (12)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * SkyDome 16,325
 * 1-19
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 21
 * December 10
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Walt Williams (39)
 * Oliver Miller (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (14)
 * CoreStates Center 11,833
 * 2-19
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 22
 * December 13
 * @ Chicago
 * John Wallace (14)
 * John Wallace (7)
 * Chris Garner, Damon Stoudamire (3)
 * United Center 23,867
 * 2-20
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 23
 * December 15
 * Indiana
 * Marcus Camby (28)
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * Damon Stoudamire (15)
 * SkyDome 14,562
 * 2-21
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 17
 * Boston
 * Tracy McGrady (17)
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * Damon Stoudamire (5)
 * SkyDome 14,771
 * 2-22
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 25
 * December 19
 * Milwaukee
 * Damon Stoudamire (36)
 * Marcus Camby (14)
 * Damon Stoudamire (8)
 * SkyDome 15,076
 * 3-22
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 26
 * December 20
 * Washington
 * Marcus Camby, Damon Stoudamire (18)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * Damon Stoudamire (8)
 * SkyDome 15,434
 * 3-23
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 27
 * December 22
 * @ Charlotte
 * Damon Stoudamire (21)
 * Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * Doug Christie (6)
 * Charlotte Coliseum 23,449
 * 3-24
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 28
 * December 27
 * @ New York
 * Damon Stoudamire (30)
 * Reggie Slater (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (5)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 4-24
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 29
 * December 30
 * @ Detroit
 * Damon Stoudamire (36)
 * Oliver Miller (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 19,087
 * 4-25
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 30
 * December 31
 * @ Washington
 * Damon Stoudamire (19)
 * Tracy McGrady, Damon Stoudamire (5)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * MCI Center 19,651
 * 4-26
 * Oliver Miller (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 19,087
 * 4-25
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 30
 * December 31
 * @ Washington
 * Damon Stoudamire (19)
 * Tracy McGrady, Damon Stoudamire (5)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * MCI Center 19,651
 * 4-26
 * 4-26


 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 31
 * January 2
 * Detroit
 * Doug Christie (23)
 * Doug Christie (8)
 * Damon Stoudamire (16)
 * SkyDome 17,292
 * 4-27
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 32
 * January 3
 * @ Indiana
 * John Wallace (18)
 * Oliver Miller (12)
 * Damon Stoudamire (6)
 * Market Square Arena 16,259
 * 4-28
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 33
 * January 5
 * Houston
 * Oliver Miller (22)
 * Doug Christie, Žan Tabak (7)
 * Damon Stoudamire (12)
 * SkyDome 16,375
 * 4-29
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 34
 * January 7
 * Orlando
 * Damon Stoudamire (26)
 * Doug Christie (12)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * SkyDome 15,168
 * 4-30
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 35
 * January 10
 * @ Cleveland
 * Damon Stoudamire (34)
 * Oliver Miller (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (7)
 * Gund Arena 17,864
 * 5-30
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 12
 * New Jersey
 * Damon Stoudamire (19)
 * Marcus Camby (13)
 * Damon Stoudamire (6)
 * SkyDome 14,376
 * 5-31
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 37
 * January 14
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Damon Stoudamire (36)
 * Marcus Camby, Oliver Miller (6)
 * Damon Stoudamire (11)
 * SkyDome 15,073
 * 6-31
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 38
 * January 17
 * New York
 * Marcus Camby (22)
 * Carlos Rogers (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire (10)
 * SkyDome 18,898
 * 6-32
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 39
 * January 19
 * @ Charlotte
 * Žan Tabak (23)
 * Žan Tabak (7)
 * Damon Stoudamire (12)
 * Charlotte Coliseum 21,934
 * 6-33
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 40
 * January 21
 * Sacramento
 * Damon Stoudamire (36)
 * Marcus Camby (18)
 * Damon Stoudamire (11)
 * SkyDome 14,212
 * 7-33
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 41
 * January 24
 * Minnesota
 * Doug Christie (31)
 * Marcus Camby, Oliver Miller (12)
 * Damon Stoudamire (10)
 * SkyDome 15,778
 * 8-33
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 42
 * January 26
 * Philadelphia
 * Doug Christie (26)
 * Marcus Camby (10)
 * Damon Stoudamire (8)
 * SkyDome 14,458
 * 9-33
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 43
 * January 29
 * @ Denver
 * Damon Stoudamire (22)
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * Damon Stoudamire (5)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 9,629
 * 10-33
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 44
 * January 30
 * @ Sacramento
 * John Wallace (18)
 * Marcus Camby, Carlos Rogers (6)
 * Doug Christie, John Wallace (3)
 * ARCO Arena 14,170
 * 10-34
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * Damon Stoudamire (5)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 9,629
 * 10-33
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 44
 * January 30
 * @ Sacramento
 * John Wallace (18)
 * Marcus Camby, Carlos Rogers (6)
 * Doug Christie, John Wallace (3)
 * ARCO Arena 14,170
 * 10-34
 * 10-34


 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 45
 * February 1
 * @ Portland
 * Damon Stoudamire (21)
 * John Wallace (9)
 * Damon Stoudamire (9)
 * Rose Garden 20,792
 * 10-35
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 3
 * Phoenix
 * Doug Christie, Walt Williams (24)
 * Marcus Camby (10)
 * Damon Stoudamire (8)
 * SkyDome 14,344
 * 10-36
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 47
 * February 5
 * Dallas
 * Damon Stoudamire (21)
 * Marcus Camby (16)
 * Damon Stoudamire (8)
 * SkyDome 14,292
 * 11-36
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 48
 * February 10
 * @ Chicago
 * Damon Stoudamire (19)
 * Marcus Camby (11)
 * Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (4)
 * United Center 23,881
 * 11-37
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 12
 * Cleveland
 * Doug Christie (26)
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * Oliver Miller (10)
 * SkyDome 14,348
 * 11-38
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 13
 * @ New Jersey
 * John Wallace (29)
 * John Wallace (12)
 * John Wallace (6)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 14,263
 * 11-39
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 15
 * Miami
 * John Wallace (27)
 * Tracy McGrady (8)
 * Chris Garner (7)
 * SkyDome 16,888
 * 11-40
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 19
 * Chicago
 * John Wallace (19)
 * Oliver Miller (7)
 * Doug Christie (5)
 * SkyDome 30,172
 * 11-41
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 20
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Doug Christie (23)
 * Marcus Camby (10)
 * Oliver Miller (4)
 * Bradley Center 17,856
 * 11-42
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 54
 * February 22
 * Vancouver
 * Chauncey Billups (27)
 * Gary Trent (15)
 * Doug Christie (7)
 * SkyDome 16,932
 * 12-42
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 55
 * February 26
 * @ San Antonio
 * Doug Christie (17)
 * Gary Trent (10)
 * Oliver Miller (6)
 * Alamodome 13,978
 * 12-43
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 56
 * February 27
 * @ Orlando
 * Doug Christie (35)
 * Marcus Camby (13)
 * Dee Brown (9)
 * Orlando Arena 16,947
 * 13-43
 * Alamodome 13,978
 * 12-43
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 56
 * February 27
 * @ Orlando
 * Doug Christie (35)
 * Marcus Camby (13)
 * Dee Brown (9)
 * Orlando Arena 16,947
 * 13-43
 * 13-43


 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 57
 * March 3
 * Utah
 * Chauncey Billups (26)
 * Gary Trent (7)
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * SkyDome 16,448
 * 13-44
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 58
 * March 4
 * @ Cleveland
 * Doug Christie (16)
 * Marcus Camby, Oliver Miller (5)
 * Dee Brown, John Wallace (4)
 * Gund Arena 15,017
 * 13-45
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 59
 * March 6
 * @ Minnesota
 * Chauncey Billups (20)
 * Marcus Camby (9)
 * Oliver Miller (4)
 * Target Center 18,156
 * 13-46
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 60
 * March 8
 * @ Vancouver
 * Dee Brown (21)
 * Doug Christie (8)
 * Oliver Miller (8)
 * General Motors Place 16,098
 * 13-47
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 61
 * March 10
 * @ Seattle
 * John Wallace (25)
 * John Wallace (9)
 * Doug Christie, John Wallace (5)
 * KeyArena 17,072
 * 13-48
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 62
 * March 13
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * Reggie Slater (20)
 * Oliver Miller (7)
 * Oliver Miller (4)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 6,152
 * 13-49
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 63
 * March 15
 * @ Golden State
 * Doug Christie (24)
 * Marcus Camby (16)
 * Oliver Miller (4)
 * The New Arena in Oakland 13,063
 * 14-49
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 64
 * March 17
 * Atlanta
 * Doug Christie (30)
 * Oliver Miller (9)
 * Doug Christie (8)
 * SkyDome 16,546
 * 14-50
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 65
 * March 19
 * Denver
 * Dee Brown (24)
 * Doug Christie (9)
 * Dee Brown, Doug Christie, Oliver Miller (5)
 * SkyDome 14,274
 * 15-50
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 20
 * @ Detroit
 * Chauncey Billups (22)
 * Marcus Camby (8)
 * Doug Christie (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 15-51
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 22
 * Chicago
 * John Wallace (26)
 * Doug Christie, Tracy McGrady (9)
 * Tracy McGrady (8)
 * SkyDome 33,216
 * 15-52
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 68
 * March 24
 * Charlotte
 * Marcus Camby (20)
 * John Wallace (10)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * SkyDome 14,490
 * 15-53
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 69
 * March 26
 * Cleveland
 * Doug Christie (26)
 * Marcus Camby (13)
 * Doug Christie (8)
 * SkyDome 14,120
 * 15-54
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 70
 * March 29
 * Orlando
 * Doug Christie (20)
 * Oliver Miller (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * SkyDome 16,876
 * 15-55
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 71
 * March 31
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Chauncey Billups (21)
 * Marcus Camby, Gary Trent (7)
 * Chauncey Billups, Oliver Miller (6)
 * Maple Leaf Gardens 16,086
 * 15-56
 * Doug Christie (20)
 * Oliver Miller (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * SkyDome 16,876
 * 15-55
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 71
 * March 31
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Chauncey Billups (21)
 * Marcus Camby, Gary Trent (7)
 * Chauncey Billups, Oliver Miller (6)
 * Maple Leaf Gardens 16,086
 * 15-56
 * 15-56


 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 72
 * April 1
 * @ Atlanta
 * Doug Christie, Gary Trent (14)
 * Marcus Camby, Tracy McGrady (9)
 * Doug Christie (3)
 * Georgia Dome 10,441
 * 15-57
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 73
 * April 3
 * @ Washington
 * Dee Brown (30)
 * Gary Trent (10)
 * Dee Brown (6)
 * MCI Center 18,324
 * 15-58
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 74
 * April 5
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Gary Trent (25)
 * Tracy McGrady (13)
 * Dee Brown (6)
 * CoreStates Center 15,808
 * 15-59
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 75
 * April 7
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Doug Christie (20)
 * Reggie Slater (8)
 * Doug Christie (5)
 * Bradley Center 13,288
 * 15-60
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 76
 * April 8
 * Milwaukee
 * Gary Trent (24)
 * Chauncey Billups, Tracy McGrady (9)
 * Doug Christie (8)
 * SkyDome 14,168
 * 15-61
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 77
 * April 10
 * Miami
 * Doug Christie (26)
 * Tracy McGrady (15)
 * Doug Christie (7)
 * SkyDome 16,111
 * 15-62
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 78
 * April 12
 * New Jersey
 * Dee Brown (30)
 * Marcus Camby (11)
 * Tracy McGrady (6)
 * SkyDome 14,088
 * 15-63
 * - bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 79
 * April 14
 * @ New Jersey
 * Doug Christie (23)
 * Marcus Camby (12)
 * Chauncey Billups, Doug Christie (4)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 17,521
 * 16-63
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 16
 * @ New York
 * Doug Christie (14)
 * Doug Christie, Tracy McGrady (7)
 * Dee Brown (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 16-64
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 17
 * @ Indiana
 * Doug Christie (24)
 * Gary Trent (12)
 * Chauncey Billups (5)
 * Market Square Arena 16,059
 * 16-65
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 19
 * Philadelphia
 * Doug Christie (16)
 * Marcus Camby (11)
 * Doug Christie (4)
 * Copps Coliseum 14,578
 * 16-66
 * 16-65
 * - bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 19
 * Philadelphia
 * Doug Christie (16)
 * Marcus Camby (11)
 * Doug Christie (4)
 * Copps Coliseum 14,578
 * 16-66
 * 16-66

Regular season
* Statistics include only games with the Raptors