August 2
There is a lot of magic up in Toronto. You have to give credit to Raptors GM Glen Grunwald for doing a tremendous job.

I remember when Grunwald was at the University of Indiana as a player. He was labeled as the next superstar. Instead, he turned out to be a marginal player. Now Grunwald is earning superstar status in the front office.

	Olajuwon

The Raptors GM made several early moves; they included re-signing veteran free agents Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams and Alvin Williams. That led to a long-term deal with Vince Carter, who agreed to stay in Toronto after many thought he would leave next year. The superstar is staying thanks to a six-year extension.

Now Toronto has added Hakeem Olajuwon to the mix.

I've seen Olajuwon play for many years. I'll never forget watching the Dream play down in New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl Classic. Jim Simpson and I called the game, which was during his freshman year. I'll never forget getting on an elevator with Olajuwon, looking at him, smiling and calling him, "Akeem the Dream." He started to laugh.

I told him that someday he would be special. We laughed and he gave me a big hug.

Talk about a long career where a player showed class. This guy is as classy as anyone, getting the job done in every way possible. He has always been a workaholic, a guy with a great mental attitude. What a move for Toronto!

The Raptors are putting all the elements together to make a run in the Eastern Conference. How could Houston let this guy get away? I know the Rockets made a pretty good offer, but it is hard to imagine him out of that uniform.

There are certain guys you expect to finish their careers in the uniform they started in. You think about Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn in baseball. The same applies for Olajuwon.

Fans in Toronto will be ecstatic with this addition. Olajuwon will be able to give the Raptors 20 to 25 solid minutes in the post. That will free up some air space for Mr. Carter to continue his magical show.

It has been a busy offseason north of the border. Raptors fans will be happy to see the team Lenny Wilkens puts on the floor next season.