October 28, 2026
October 28, 2026
2000-2001 Toronto Raptors: Vinsanity
The Toronto Raptors may not have been a postseason juggernaut in the NBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but they were certainly one of the most entertaining teams to watch take the floor. The core reason the Raptors were a hot ticket for any basketball fan was the highlight reel of dunks and dazzling plays that Toronto’s star players would pull off.
In the 2000-2001 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors went 47-35, finishing 5 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the Central Division. The Raptors went 27-14 on their home court at the Air Canada Centre, now known as Scotiabank Arena, and 20-21 on the road. They also went 18-10 in divisional play. Though December was an off month for them, the Raptors fared well in every other month of the regular season, going 8-6 in November, 9-7 in January, 7-5 in February, 9-5 in March and 7-3 in April.
Small forward Vince Carter was the first true breakout star in the history of the Raptors franchise, and Toronto basketball fans quickly warmed up to him. Carter’s style of play was admirable in the sense that he always gave fans something to talk about, whether it was a jaw-dropping dunk or a dazzling play. For a time, Carter’s nickname was “Vinsanity.” According to his career statistics on Basketball-Reference, Carter had 2,070 points, 416 rebounds, 291 assists, 114 steals and 82 blocks, making 162 of 397 3-point shots and 384 of 502 free throws. Carter made the All-Star Game and the All-NBA Second Team. He averaged 27.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
Center Antonio Davis had 1,069 points, 787 rebounds and 151 blocks, making 319 of 423 free throws. Davis also made the All-Star Game. Shooting guard Alvin Williams had 802 points, 407 assists and 123 steals, making 33 of 108 3-point shots and 109 of 145 free throws. Power forward Charles Oakley had 748 points, 741 rebounds, 264 assists and 76 steals, making 11 of 49 3-point shots and 127 of 152 free throws.
Shooting guard Morris Peterson was taken by the Raptors with the 21st overall pick in the 1st Round of the 2000 NBA Draft, and he had a solid rookie season with 747 points and 63 steals, making 63 of 165 3-point shots and 104 of 145 free throws. Peterson made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Point guard Mark Jackson had 461 points, 498 assists and 63 steals, making 57 of 165 3-point shots and 64 of 76 free throws. Power forward Keon Clark had 413 points and 110 blocks, making 167 of 320 field goal shots and 79 of 135 free throws. Point guard Chris Childs made 12 of 42 3-point shots, and small forward Tracy Murray made 29 of 80 3-point shots. The full 2000-2001 Toronto Raptors roster and stats show just how deep the team was beyond its star.
In the 1st Round of the 2001 Eastern Conference playoffs, the Raptors had to revisit the end of their previous campaign, when they were bounced from the 2000 playoffs by the New York Knicks. Thankfully, the Raptors got their ideal result this time around as they eliminated the Knicks 3 games to 2.
In Game 1 on April 22 at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks beat the Raptors 92-85. The Raptors responded by winning Game 2 on April 26 by a score of 94-74. Alvin Williams had 23 points and 4 rebounds, making 3 of 5 3-point shots. Vince Carter had 22 points and 7 rebounds. Antonio Davis had 15 points and 12 rebounds. In Game 3 on April 29 at the Air Canada Centre, the Knicks beat the Raptors 89-87.
On the brink of elimination, the Raptors refused to be knocked out by the Knicks again as they evened the series with a 100-93 win in Game 4 on May 2. Carter had 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, making 2 of 4 3-point shots. Chris Childs had 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, making 4 of 5 3-point shots. Williams had 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. In the deciding Game 5 on May 4 at Madison Square Garden, the Raptors edged out the Knicks 93-89. Carter had 27 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, making 3 of 3 3-point shots. Williams had 18 points, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Finally advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the 2000-2001 Toronto Raptors appeared ready to make significant history for the franchise. However, there was another team just as talented as the Raptors that wanted to make some noise of its own. In a tough 7-game series, the Raptors fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 3. These games highlighted the stellar play of both Vince Carter and point guard Allen Iverson.
In Game 1 on May 6 at the First Union Center, the Raptors beat the 76ers 96-93. Carter had 35 points and 7 rebounds. Dell Curry contributed 20 points and 4 rebounds, making 4 of 9 3-point shots. In Game 3 on May 11 at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto basketball fans were given a special treat as the Raptors crushed the 76ers 102-78. The highlight reels were playing as “Vinsanity” took off. Vince Carter turned in one of the best performances in the history of the NBA playoffs with 50 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks, making 9 of 13 3-point shots. Antonio Davis had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Chris Childs had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists, making 2 of 3 3-point shots.
In Game 6 on May 18 at the Air Canada Centre, the Raptors forced a Game 7 by winning 101-89. Carter had 39 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, making 4 of 8 3-point shots. Morris Peterson had 17 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists, making 3 of 5 3-point shots. Antonio Davis had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Toronto Raptors returned to the playoffs the following year in 2002, but they wouldn’t return again until the 2006-2007 NBA season. Vince Carter’s impact on the game of basketball was felt by fans, and his place in basketball history was cemented by his stellar seasons in Toronto before he moved on to the New Jersey Nets.
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