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Wilkens Safe - TSN

Williams Sets Record - TSN

RAPTORS WIN

Vince Carter returned to the Toronto Raptors' starting lineup Sunday after missing 23 games with a strained right knee. Carter received a loud ovation when introduced as a starter against the Sacramento Kings. The All-Star forward looked tentative in the opening minutes. Carter had his first shot blocked by Vlade Divac. He then made a fadeaway jumper, but later missed a 3-pointer. Carter picked up two fouls and was replaced by Voshon Lenard with 7:07 left in the first quarter. Carter, who partially separated a patella tendon from his kneecap Dec. 10, received medical arance on Friday. The All-Star forward had hoped to return two weeks ago, but was held back by team doctors. Before Sunday, Carter played in 10 other games this season. He has been practicing with the team for more than a week. Carter also missed 10 games earlier this season with an injured left knee. The Raptors, who have a record of 10-33, have lost five straight games.


RAPTORS RELEASE GREG FOSTER AND JERMAINE JACKSON

Toronto released center Greg Foster and guard Jermaine Jackson on Tuesday to make room for two signings on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. Both Foster and Jackson were originally signed under NBA-granted roster exemptions. Guard Rafer Alston and forward Art Long will sign 10-day contracts with the Raptors on Wednesday. Alston and Long should see some work right away, as the Raptors are always nursing a handful of injuries. Neither expects to be a fantasy factor, however.


TEAM REPORT FOR DECEMBER 27

Toronto continues to fall as it lost its fourth straight with a 97-88 loss at Seattle on Thursday. ... The Raptors dropped to 4-10 on the road in the opener of a five-game trip. ... F Jerome Williams on coping with losing: "It's just one of those things where you come out hard and play well early on but realize you shoot your load too early." ... Fs Vince Carter and Antonio Davis are not with the team on this road trip due to injuries. ... Coach Lenny Wilkens on the team's injuries: "It's very frustrating because when you don't have your key people, you can't win. The list goes on and on - I know my players are tired of hearing about it." - Credit: Yahoo.com


JYD TO HAVE ELBOW EXAMINED

TORONTO (AP) -- Raptors forward Jerome Williams will get a second opinion Tuesday on his sore left elbow, an injury that has sidelined him the past three games. He will be examined in Birmingham, Ala., by Dr. James Andrews. The noted orthopedic specialist also has treated Raptors star Vince Carter. He is not with Toronto on its four-game road trip. He has averaged 8.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 30.1 minutes in 13 games. He had a career-high 30 points in a 115-109 victory at Orlando on Nov. 12.


MURRAY OUT FOUR MONTHS

Raptors' forward Lamond Murray will be out for four months after he had surgery to repair the Lisfranc ligament in his right foot on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. Murray's original diagnosis slated him for an eight-week rehab stint, and this report has doubled the time period. The news is terrible for the Raptors, who have been beset with injuries this preseason. If healthy, Murray would be the first player off their bench and likely their third or fourth best scorer.


HUFFMAN TO UNDERGO SURGERY

Centre Nate Huffman will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday. The 7-foot-1 rookie is expected to miss four-to-six weeks. He missed the last two exhibition games because of swelling in the knee. Huffman, 27, signed with Toronto over the summer after averaging 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds for Israeli League champion Maccabi Elite Tel-Aviv last season. The native of Battle Creek, Mich., was the MVP of both the Suproleague and Israeli League for the 2000-01 season. 


OLAJUWON TO RETIRE

Toronto Raptors' center Hakeem Olajuwon will announce his retirement on November 2, the day of the Raptors' home opener, the New York Post reported. Olajuwan, 39, has a serious back injury that would require surgery and sideline him for 9-to-11 months. He played 17 seasons with the Houston Rockets before joining the Raptors last year.

The Dream has been plagued with injuries over recent years, but that shouldn't overshadow his status as one of the 50 greatest players of all time. From the mid-80s and mid-90s, Hakeem and fellow center David Robinson dominated the fantasy basketball world.


RAPTORS TRADE YOGI STEWART FOR LAMOND MURRAY

The Toronto Raptors have acquired forward Lamond Murray and a future second-round draft pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for centre Michael Stewart and a future first-round draft pick. "Lamond is a talented veteran who will solidify our rotation and improve our scoring," said Glen Grunwald, Raptors senior vice-president and general manager. "He has proven to be a consistent performer throughout his NBA career." Murray averaged a career-best and team-high 16.6 points with the Cavs last season. He also added 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 32.6 minutes per game. He started 68 of his 71 appearances and tallied 20 or more points on 26 occasions, including a career-best 40 points versus Golden State on January 2. He ranked 13th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at 42.4 (101-238).


 

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UPDATES

27/12/2002 - Recent pics added

31/10/2002 - Updated roster

13/10/2002 - Updated pictures

13/10/2002 - Raptors Central becomes Sports Central's site of the week.

25/09/2002 - Added A. Davis gallery

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