CALEDON, Ont. — When it comes to jersey retirements, Kyle Lowry’s was always a full-court breakaway ending in an inevitable slam dunk, metaphorically speaking.

It was the off-court version of something an earlier generation of Raptors fans got used to seeing in spectacular fashion when Vince Carter was on the floor and in full flight. 

But when it comes to honouring their history and elevating their legends, the path Lowry and Carter took to having their jerseys retired has been as different as their on-court playing style.

While Carter flew through the air with the greatest of ease, getting his No. 15 retired was an underdog’s journey requiring patience, persistence, toughness and time: roughly analogous to how Lowry’s NBA on-court style enabled him to evolve from journeyman to superstar over his 20 seasons, peaking during his franchise-defining nine seasons in Toronto. 

In the end, Carter’s No. 15 and Lowry’s No. 7 will hang side by side at the top of Scotiabank Arena, the first and second jerseys, respectively, that the Raptors have honoured in the franchise’s 32-year history. 

Lowry’s jersey retirement ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 10, when the Raptors host LeBron James and Lowry’s hometown Philadelphia 76ers, but his number going up will only be the final act in a celebration that will have run for months by that time. 

It started with his retirement announcement in Toronto on July 7, when he signed a one-day contract so he could formally end his career as a Toronto Raptor. 

This weekend marks Stage 2, when Lowry swoops in for 36 hours of festivities. 

Naturally — given the former point guard’s off-court passions — it all started with the KLOW Invitational, a charity golf tournament Lowry was hosting Friday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, with proceeds benefitting the MLSE Foundation. 

Then there is Kyle’s Block Party — a free fan event — slated for Jurassic Park outside Scotiabank Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday evening is A Night For Seven, a gala dinner again in support of the MLSE Foundation. 

And the turnout has been impressive: former teammates Fred Van Vleet, DeMar DeRozan, Serge Ibaka, CJ Miles and Danny Green, along with former Raptors........

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