While many wait for arguably the most athletic player in the NBA today to give his thoughts on the Michael Jordan comeback scenario, Vince Carter has been silent up until now.  So what does he think of the attention that will soon turn to MJ?  "If he wants it all, he can have it," Carter said. "I don't mind."

Carter explains that being the NBA's marquee player was fun at first, but he now is more focused on taking his focus and my mentality to another level and helping his team get further into the NBA playoffs.

Hakeem Olajuwon is somewhat hesitant on the eve of training camp.  The Toronto Star reported he looked a bit shell-shocked as his more jovial teammates kidded around, the excitement of the upcoming season obvious.

The Nigerian-born Olajuwon's quiet words and actions have always been a testament to the peaceful teachings of Islam.  He spoke in Toronto about his sadness over the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, and his role as an NBA player and a Muslim. "Speaking for the Muslim community, it was a big setback.  This is against the faith, this is not what it teaches," he added. "It's a religion of peace. (The terrorist attacks) are exactly against what Islam teaches."

Vince Carter says his focus is on the team this year, rather than individual accomplishment.

As a kid, Mo Peterson wanted to be like Michael.

Raptors coach Lennie Wilkens talks about the September 11 tragedy and the upcoming season.

The Toronto Star's Chris Young reports that Vince Carter has changed agents.  Gone is Merle Scott who recently helped negotiate Carter's six-year, $94 million deal with the Raptors.

Carter will remain with the International Management Group (IMG), but his agent now is expected to be Mark Steinberg.  Steinberg is also responsible for Tiger Woods' portfolio.  Steinberg will be Carter's third agent.  His first agent was the disgraced William (Tank) Black, who negotiated a disastrous deal with Puma for Carter.

Robert MacLeod reports in the Toronto Globe and Mail that exhibition games outside the U.S. and Canada involving six NBA teams have been cancelled.

The teams involved are scrambling to schedule more exhibition games.  For example, the Raptors now have only six games scheduled.  

Also, they lose perhaps $100,000 for each of the foreign games.  "We might be losing some money, but I can't say the bottom line is always part of my job description," Raptors president Richard Peddie said. "But at the same time, the decision is the right one, and if we lose some money, we lose some money."

Robert MacLeod reports in the Toronto Globe and Mail that NBA games outside the U.S. and Canada appear unlikely at this time.  An email from league headquarters says that training camp is likely to open on schedule, and domestic exhibition games probably will be played as scheduled.  However, it also says, "We are considering whether it's advisable to proceed with any or all the preseason games currently scheduled to be played next month outside of the United States or Canada," A decision is expected by Wednesday, the league said in the note.

Many players appear very concerned about the travel arrangements, and support a possible decision to cancel the trips.  Along similar lines, Stephon Marbury called for extra police protection when teams are on the road.  Marbury said, "Just a couple of cop cars. I don't think that's too much. I mean, you've got $300-million in one bus, and sometimes people get ideas."

Fran Blinebury of the Houston Chronicle writes about Hakeem Olajuwon's reaction to this past week's terrorist attacks.