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Toronto Raptors: The five worst stretches of futility in team history

By Jason Mills

Feb 26, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) defends during the first half at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) defends during the first half at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sam Mitchell, Toronto Raptors
LONDON, CANADA – OCTOBER 17: Roger Mason Jr. #31 of the Toronto Raptors talks to Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /

Raptors losing streak No. 3: November 2-18, 2005 (9 games)

The 2005/06 season would be the second year that Sam Mitchell was the Raptors’ head coach. In his first season, he oversaw a team that won 33 games, so the 05/06 season was disappointing when the Raptors recorded a won/loss record of 27-55. The man who would eventually be the Coach of the Year in 2007 at this time was considered one of the worst.

It was before Bryan Colangelo would become general manager of the Raptors, and the roster was littered with underperforming players like Rafael Araujo, Pape Sow, Mike James, and a past his prime Antonio Davis. Davis and Jalen Rose combined to play just 54 games.

The futility and losing started right away with the Raptors suffering through a 9 game losing streak beginning on opening night and went 1-9 to start the season.

Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell didn’t have a ton to work with this year

On November 20th, the Raptors would beat the Miami Heat to get their first win of the season but would immediately return to the losing with a six-game stretch. The Raptors would win only four of their first 20 games that season. Somehow, Mitchell survived getting fired.

The light at the end of the very dark tunnel in 2006 was that the Raptors were so bad they had a shot in the draft lottery at the 2006 Draft’s first selection, and won it for the first time in franchise history. The Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani, who would play a role in the Raptors returning to the playoffs in 2006-07 and 2007-08.