Long before the Toronto Raptors were the toast of Ontario basketball, the Toronto Tornados played for 2 1/2 years in the CBA. With their home floor over the University of Toronto's Varsity Arena ice, the Tornados were owned by Ted Stepien, the former owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and were coached by former Cavs assistant Gerald Oliver.
In the Tornados' first season, the club averaged 1,225 fans per night - even when the heating system was designed more for hockey than for basketball. The team started off soft, drawing a 4-11 record through January 4th, before rattling of 7 victories in their next eleven contests. Still, the team finished in last place, with a 16-28 record, despite the team's talented backcourt duo of Carl Nicks and Robert Smith.
Representing the Tornados at the 1984 All-Star Game, Robert Smith hit a 3-point field goal in sudden death overtime to help his All-Star team beat the host Wyoming Wildcatters, 125-122.
The 1984-85 season looked to be another sub-par year, with Toronto sporting a 9-18 record at midseason. Suddenly, the Tornados developed new life, winning 17 of their last 21 games and sneaking into the playoffs on the fourth and final Eastern Division playoff spot. To make the playoffs, Toronto had to take at least one standings point in their final game of the season, against the Puerto Rico Coquis. Puerto Rico won the game; but Toronto won the second quarter, assuring them a playoff spot. Then, suddenly, everything unraveled. Tornados owner Ted Stepien was convinced that Gerald Oliver would take a new coaching assignment after the season, and fired Oliver - just before the playoffs. Toronto's general manager, Keith Foulke, coached the Tornados in the first round, losing to Albany in five games.
The Tornados started their third campaign in Toronto, but poor attendance (including an announced crowd of 358 in a home loss to the Maine Windjammers) and an early losing streak forced owner Ted Stepien to announce that the franchise would leave Toronto immediately. The Tornados' final home game, a 114-111 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Thrillers, was witnessed by only 370 fans. After a three-game road trip, the team found a new home in Pensacola, Florida.
Regular Season Standings
W L QW QP Result
1983-1984 16 28 74.0 122.0 Did not make playoffs
1984-1985 26 22 101.5 179.5 Lost in quarterfinals
1985-1986 2 7 11.5 17.5 Moved in mid-season
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Home Court: |
| ALL-STAR GAME: Never hosted. | |
PLAYOFFS1983-1984 Did Not Make Playoffs 1984-1985 Lost in quarterfinals to Albany, 2 games to 3 | |