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Air Jordan, Air Canada will be focal points in the EastOne of the biggest comparisons you will see this season will be between Toronto's Vince Carter with Washington's Michael Jordan. Both played collegiately at North Carolina. Both won the slam dunk contest. Both possess tremendous physical skills. Both are nicknamed Air. But that, at least for now, is where the comparisons stop - until this seasons ends, that is. Because Jordan won six championships while he was with the Chicago Bulls, but Carter, still young and growing, has yet to win one. Many think this could be Carter's chance to imitate Jordan in that area as well. Not only did the Toronto Raptors hold on to Carter by signing him to a $90 million contract that will keep him - and professional basketball - in Canada for a while longer, but they also signed veteran center Hakeem Olajuwon by outbidding the Houston Rockets for his services. Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, General Basketball Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Arroyo returns a RaptorToronto added future Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon during the summer, but the newest Raptor with the largest cheering section at AmericanAirlines Arena tonight will be former Florida International University point guard Carlos Arroyo. Arroyo, an undrafted rookie, joins Philadelphia's Raja Bell as the only Golden Panthers to make the NBA. ``I feel I've worked so hard since I was 5 years old to get to this point,'' Arroyo said. ``This is a dream come true.'' Arroyo, 22, impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic, unselfish play and energy. ``He's a legitimate point guard -- he understands the position well,'' Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens said. Arroyo, 6-2, was in a hotel room with twin brother Alberto last week when he was told he made the team. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Davis says Magic were never close to signing himJohn Denton of the Florida Today reports: Toronto Raptors power forward Antonio Davis said before Tuesday's season-opener against Orlando that he appreciated the Magic's interest in attempting to sign him this past summer, but such a scenario never came close to materializing. Orlando targeted the rugged 6-foot-9, 240-pounder last summer, even visiting Davis' southwest Orlando home just minutes into the free-agent period. But with only the $4.5 million veteran exception to offer, the Magic were never a serious contender in the Davis sweepstakes. He eventually signed a seven-year, $64 million deal to return to Toronto. "I appreciate their efforts," Davis said. "I appreciate that they were very honest with me and that they took the time to show some interest." In other news Doc Rivers had some words for Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach George Karl. Rivers is still fuming that Karl questioned the Magic's loyalty two seasons ago when they pursued free agents Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. The two coaches exchanged barbs repeatedly in the playoffs. Before Tuesday's opener, Rivers took yet another verbal swipe at Karl. He questioned how loyal the Bucks were to center Scott Williams, who was traded to Denver last week to clear room for the acquisition of forward Anthony Mason. "The next time George Karl starts talking about loyalty go ask Scott Williams what he thinks," Rivers said. "Don't give me a loyalty speech about my team and then go out and do what you did to Scott Williams." Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Raptors Oct 2001 Archive
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