Toronto Raptors: Ranking the top 5 jerseys of all time

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 09: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a three pointer against the Boston Celtics in the first half during Game Six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on September 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

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Over the years, the Toronto Raptors have had several different jerseys to showcase over the past 25 years and we take a look at some of the best ones.

With the Toronto Raptors unveiling their new threads for the 2020-21 season, here’s a countdown of the team’s best looks.

1. “Dino” jerseys (1995/96-’98/99)

When the Raptors were born in 1994, they entered a crowded sporting market. The Blue Jays were two years removed from back-to-back World Series championships, and the Maple Leafs, are, well, the Maple Leafs.

Owner John Bitove Jr. knew he had to make a splash, and oh, he made a big one. The Raptors unveiled their inaugural jerseys on May 24, 1994 to great fanfare. A full-size Raptor was able to cover a large part of the jersey due to a new printing technology, and the claw-marked pinstripes added an element of order to an outlandish look.

The back of the jersey showed ownership’s attention to detail, with stegosaurus spikes rising up out of the nameplate. The shorts kept the dino theme going, portraying a small raptor taking a bite out of a “TR.”

The Raptors moved on from their first-ever threads quite quickly, but the look has proven to transcend eras. The team brought both the purple and white looks back for their 25th anniversary season and will be releasing a purple adaptation to their newest iteration of uniforms in the coming weeks.

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