And away we go (with apologies to Jackie Gleason)

RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR

They're ready. You're ready. Doug's ready. Let's go!

How long have you been waiting for this one? Since the end of the Orlando series? The start of training camp? The first pre-season game? Glad it’s here?

Lots of people are so I say find a nice spot in a comfy chair, put on that Jose jersey, grab an adult beverage and sit back and enjoy. And if you’ve got some time and the inclination, check out the in-game blog; if I’m going to do it, I’m hoping someone out there’s reading it.

And here it is:

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What to expect?

I have no real idea since it was impossible to get a true read of this team or the Sixers from the pre-season.

In a perfect world, Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh have it all worked out, Jose Calderon’s in mid-season form and Jamario Moon’s rediscovered what made him pretty good at times last year.

Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world (I know this because I’m not filthy rich and retired at some compound on Maui) so I’d think we’re in for a rather sloppy and choppy game as both teams continue to try to figure it out.

As I recall, most regular season openers are hardly works of art, games played more on emotion than skill so, please, take this one for what it is, the first of 82.

If they lose, don’t suggest roster moves or firings; if they win, don’t get those 82-0 T-shirts printed up.

(Like that's going to happen with you nutty fans) -

Oh yeah, it’ll be Jamario who’s the starting small forward today.

Sam gave us one of those, ‘duh!’ looks and lines yesterday when he was asked about it again.

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Because I’m a helluva guy (seriously, some people allegedly think so) and because you want to help a worthy cause, here’s that link again to the on-line auction for that great package my friends at the Raptors Foundation and Jawad have put together.

I heard they did about $900 the other day and the deadline’s today at 5 p.m.

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Checking into the mail:

Q: So you’re the coach. Down 15 at the half. Do you put Jose back out there or let Ukimon play it out and give them some much needed experience? If not, how long do you go with Jose before giving him the night off? What if it's the first night of a back to back?

CJ L, London

A: Do I get the coach’s salary?

No. Never. Ever.

You’ve got starters, they start; they play their regular minutes and you try to win games. Waving the white flag at half makes no sense whatsoever.

I keep the regular rotation down 15 with three minutes to go.

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Think this is a good sign for someone who travels a bit?

First flight of the season? Cancelled.

Yep, Air Canada got us again Tuesday, blowing off the 5:30 flight to Philly, giving some of us a chance to sit around the lounge for four hours.

Something about winds and rain down here. Funny, though, the Raptor charter left from the same Toronto airport to fly the same Philly airport a couple of hours before we were supposed to take off (and long after the commercial flight was cancelled).

Sweet, eh?

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On the other hand, the first regular season road beer was a Yeungling so that doesn’t bite.

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Hey, check, out Jose’s feet tonight. (And I know there are people out there who will)

I believe the deal is done and he’s got a sweet new endorsement gig with Li Ning, the Chinese shoe and apparel company that was all over the Beijing Olympics.

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Wonder how weird it’ll be around the arena tonight with this World Series thing and all.

One thing the Sixers got at the end of last season was a lot of support from the home crowd, they started selling out the place again and it was noisy. Really noisy.

It wasn’t early in the year, though. We were there in November and again in January and the joint was a mausoleum.

I suspect tonight will be somewhere in the middle but I expect, opening night and all, for it be more muted than zany. Does that help the Raptors? Probably more than it hurts the Sixers. Philly likes to run and dunk and scramble the game and that type of style feeds off a loud audience. Not sure we’re going to have that tonight.

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Another guy who was waived who isn’t coming here:

Q: Can you give us a rundown (and short dissertation on why we won't and/or shouldn't sign him) on Patrick Ewing Jr. in advance of the multitude of armchair GM's who will scream for BC to sign him?
Jeff R

A: Good heading ‘em off at the pass.

Well, he’d be the fifth big man here, maybe sixth if Jawai ever plays and if anyone thinks they should go over the tax threshold for a rookie fifth or sixth big man, they need to re-examine their knowledge of the game.

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A wee digression, if you don’t mind.

In a previous life, I was a baseball scribbler and was here in Philly in ’93 for the Blue Jays-Phillies World Series.

Working for The Canadian Press, we were sort of the fringe media and didn’t stay with the team out at some posh suburban hotel. Oh, no. We were at the official media hotel, which was some crappy Holiday Inn in the vast parking lot wasteland around Veterans Stadium and it sucked.

How bad?

Well, the housekeeping staff was on strike, leaving managers to fix up the rooms and if you got new linens or towels every third day, you were special. And even then, it was dicey.

I recall a now-famous pucks big shot who was then a mere radio schlub arriving in his room ready to relax, pulling down the bedspread to find something that look suspiciously like a blood stain on one of the sheets.

Needless to say, he beat a rather hasty retreat from that room. And, I recall, that hotel.

I don’t know where my seamhead brethren are staying this year but I can guaran-damn-tee you it’s not in a dicey joint like that.

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Speaking of Philly, here’s what my man Phil Jasner had in the morning paper today. He also had a notes package that says Thaddeus Young, who’d been bothered by a bad back, will indeed start.

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Last letter of the day:

Q: The Raptors are still a young franchise and have yet to retire a player's jersey in the rafters of the ACC.  Who do you believe will be the first?  Does "he who shall not be named" deserve it?

Jesse S, Thornhill

A: If I’m a hard-ass on the Hall of Fame stuff, I’m worse on this. There is no one connected with the franchise yet who is remotely close to deserving a number retirement. And I cannot imagine who that guy may be.

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In the time I took to write this, Greg Oden did not get hurt.

Comments

[Brian]

No, Oden did not get hurt in the time it took you to write that. Unless, of course, you wrote it in the 13-odd minutes he was on the court.

[Aaron Campbell]

Why is it that the Celtics keep getting no respect?

Last year heading into the Playoffs with the best regular season record, pundits were picking the likes of San Antonio, Detroit and the Lakers ahead of them to win the title.

This year coming off a dominating Championship run, people are overlooking them again.

Are you guys nuts? They should be the favorites heading into the season, no questions asked.

[Bo Klymkiw]

There is one player currently connected with the franchise who IS REMOTELY close to deserving a number retirement: CHRIS BOSH!!!! He's already surpassed he-who-shall-not-be-named as the gretatest Raptor player ever. All we need to make him a lock is a couple of playoff series wins ...

[Justin Edwards]

Enjoy the game tonight Doug... I think the Raps should look at Ewing Jr.. He is more of a wing than a big...

[Pete]

Doug,
Did Sam Dalembert and Leo Rautins ever resolve their little conflict that happened during the olympics?
It looks like they are going to run into each other today either prior to the game, during the game, or after the game, and I can see it being extremely awkward if they weren't... you know, cool about what had happened.

Blogger's note: No, no resolution. Awkward? Probably.

[Carl J]

"In the time I took to write this, Greg Oden did not get hurt."

Looks like you spoke too soon. Although it doesn't look serious, he was pulled from the game due to a tweeked ankle, when he landed Fisher's foot.

0 points, 5 Rebounds, 1 block, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers in 13 minutes.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/viewcast/2008/10/28/index.html?contestId=23618&vendorId=2008102813&vendorVisitTeam=22&vendorHomeTeam=13&pageType=recap#

Blogger's note: Um, yeah, I know. Was sort of a joke, cheap shot.

[GP]

I find your strong stance and opinion that VC is not remotely close to having his number retired a little surprising. While I certainly do not hold him in high regard for some of his antics and for his exit, I think his contributions to basketball not only in Toronto but in the rest of Canada to be far greater than most other franchise players. Which brings me to my question (albeit vague)....Do you think his exit and attitude outweigh what he did for the popularity of the sport in Toronto and Canada? How do you think he'll be remembered in say 20 years?

Blogger's note: Probably less fondly than he should be.

[Ryan D]

Last season, did Raptors TV play every Raptors game? (Need the answer for a bet.) Thanks.

Blogger's note: Not live, no. I don't know if they did every game as a Game In An Hour but I don't think so. And, need I remind you, gambling is illegal.

[John MacDonald]

I know that Patrick Ewing was a great big man for the Knicks but I was under the impression that he played a wing position (SF). So you saying why would the raps take a big man is kind of wrong, it should say why take another sub-par wing player who will make Sam's blood pressure go up.

[Sean]

Hey Doug,

As you probably know, B.C. was quoted saying this today, in reponse to possible moves in the near future:

"I think we're going to have to see where we are and gauge what opportunities there are to be had," Colangelo said. "Perhaps there's an opportunity that lies ahead. Perhaps there's a deal to be made where we can improve our team for a stretch run and a run in the playoffs. And if there's a decision like that that is quite obvious, I would recommend it to the board."

This is the first time I can remember B.C. saying he would be open to going to the board to go over the luxury tax threashold (and not "I like this team, give it time etc"). Is it just me, or is his stance softening as the weakness of his bench become more and more apparent?

Blogger's note: It's not the near future at all, it's around the February trade deadline and, no, I'm not surprised at all that he'd go to the board if he thought there was something special to do. In fact, I've written that often in the past. Whether the board would say yes, no one can tell, but I'd bet Bryan's power of persuasion are substantial.

[Danny Himmel]

Doug, thanks for the link to the Philly newspaper. The main thing I got out of the article was: Philly has a "Mayor Nutter"!!

[Ryan]

Ewing Jr. is a SF according to ESPN. And at 6'8, I think he'd be more likely competing with Graham/Kapono for the backup SF.
Which would probably make the case for getting him even weaker, but just thought it should be clarified as to which position he is listed as (though those things can vary quite a lot I'm sure).

Blogger's note: Yeah, that's where he's listed, some people I've talked to about him over the last little while, just in casual conversation, wonder if he's got a jump shot to be a SF and whether or not he'd be a sort of undersized, athletic four. Doesn't really matter, though, there's no spot for him here.

[Kevin]

To answer the writer who asked about the guy who wore #15 before Jorge. No way does he ever get credit in this town for what he did. Vince had moments of greatness and he could be worth the price of admission in those moments alone.
I paid full price one night in his final year to see a shadow play where I expected to see VINCE CARTER - SUPERSTAR. He deserves the same effort from the fans as the effort he played with before heading off to New Jersey.
Shame on the Raptors if they ever raise that shirt!

[Peter Z]

Ewing Jr. is NOT an NBA SF. like Doug said, he'd be an undersized, athletic 4... i.e. the type of player we do not need.

can't wait for tonight's game!! Dougie, I know you're not a gambling man, but any predictions for tonight's game?

Blogger's note: I predict it'll be a lot more comfortable in the arena than it will be in the ball park

[Jamie]

Toronto sports fans are crazy. It just goes to show how miserable it has been here for soo long. We turn players that would barely make it on other teams into super starts and expect them to play like it. Joey Graham, Nik Antropov, etc. I mean think about it...the KNICKS didnt want the guy!! why would we?...its unreal honestly...

[Joe T.]

Sorry, Doug, but here's a long one to help out those folks who think Vince Carter's number will one day be retired by the Toronto Raptors. For comparison, I decided to look at tonight's opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, and see whose numbers they've retired in their 59 years as a franchise (including 14 as the Syracuse Nationals). In that time, they've retired 8 numbers (and 1 microphone). I didn't know how a chart would read so here's a list of those eight players and some highlights of their careers in Philadelphia:

Moses Malone (Hall of Fame, 5 seasons, 3-time All-Star, 1-time MVP, 1-time Finals MVP, 4-time All-NBA, 1-time All-Defensive, Career Offensive Rebounds Per Game Leader, Career Total Rebounds Per Game Leader, 2 East Finals appearances, 1 Finals appearance, 1 Championship Ring)

Julius Erving (Hall Of Fame, 11 seasons, 11-time All-Star, 1 MVP Award, 7-time All-NBA, Career Blocks Leader, 11 Playoff appearances, 7 East Finals appearances, 4 Finals appearances, 1 Championship Ring)

Mo Cheeks (11 seasons, 4-time All-Star, 5-time All-Defensive, Career Steals Leader, Career Assists Leader, 10 Playoff appearances, 5 East Finals appearances, 3 Finals appearances, 1 Championship Ring)

Wilt Chamberlain (Hall Of Fame, 3.5 seasons, 4-time All-Star, 3 MVP Awards, 4-time All-NBA, Career Filed Goal Pct Leader, Career Rebounds Per Game Leader (by Far), 4 Playoff appearances, 4 East Finals appearances, 1 Finals appearance, 1 Championship Ring)

Hal Greer (Hall of Fame, 15 seasons, 10-time All-Star, 7-time All-NBA, Career Games Played Leader, Career Minutes Played Leader, Career Field Goals Made Leader, Career Field Goal Attempts Leader, Career Points Leader, 13 Playoff Appearances, 6 East Finals appearances, 1 Finals appearance, 1 Championship Ring)

Bobby Jones (8 seasons, 3-time All-Star, 1-time Sixth Man of the Year, 7-time All-Defensive, 8 Playoff appearances, 5 East Finals appearances, 3 Finals appearances, 1 Championship Ring)

Billy Cunningham (Hall of Fame, 9 seasons, 4-time All-Star, 4-time All-NBA. 7 Playoff appearances, 3 East Finals appearances, 1 Finals appearance, 1 Championship Ring)

Charles Barkley (Hall of Fame, 8 seasons, 6-time All-Star, 7-time All-NBA, Career Offensive Rebound Leader, Career Defensive Rebound Leader, 6 Playoff appearances, 1 East Finals appearance)

Now let's have a look at VC's time in Toronto:

Vince Carter (6.5 seasons, 5-time All-Star, 1-time Rookie of the Year, 2-time All-NBA, Career Field Goals Leader, Career Field Goal Attempts Leader, Career Points Leader, Career Points Per Game Leader, 3 Playoff Appearances)

Odds are that unless he returns to Toronto for a number of years, his Career Leader team records will all fall, leaving him with a handful of All-Star appearances, 3 NBA Awards and 3 Playoff appearances. Oh, and only 1 Playoff series victory. That wouldn't be enough to raise his numbers to the rafters in Philly and it shouldn't be enough here...

Hey Doug, if you're still with me, am I missing something or have the 76ers not retires Dolph Schayes' number? And if not, why not?!...

[mark]

I love your column and respect your opinion. I just read that Al Harrington wants out of GS. Is this a perfect fit or what? Lets face all three option at SF are weak and AH would fill a big whole. Any interest on the part of the Raps? Joey and Kapono works under the cap, but I am not sure if that gets it done for GS. AH has this year and next left on his contract, so it also works if you believe the Raos are trying to clear room for 2010 to resign CB4 and go after someone else. Am I unrealistic?

Blogger's note: I can't see Golden State making that deal because I think there'd be better out there for Harrington.

[Marc]

Tonight's game is at 6 PM? Pourquoi?

Blogger's note: 8:37 pm World Series game across the parking lot

[Mike]

Interesting comment on Jose's shoe contract. I guess the Chinese shoe company wasn't as disturbed with the infamous Spanish basketball team photo as many were here.

[Paul]

Doug, I'm fired up. Not about this season as much, but by the quality of Joe T's and Mike's posts. Very insightful! Just like "the Doug". Please have a Philly Cheese Steak on our collective behalf.