The Raptors will tip off a three-game pre-Christmas swing through the Western Conference later tonight as they face the Mavericks. Following the tilt against Dallas, Toronto will head to Oklahoma City and San Antonio before flying home in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

Tonight in Big D, the Raps will say hello to a few men who once wore the red and white: Vince Carter, Jose Calderon and Shawn Marion.

With due respect to Marion, his time in Toronto was so brief that he didn’t leave much of a legacy either way, but Carter and Calderon currently sit at opposite ends of the all-time franchise popularity spectrum.

Along with Chris Bosh, Carter sits atop nearly every meaningful statistical category in franchise history. But the way both men departed Toronto ultimately left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans. It’s a hunger of hatred that seemingly can’t be filled without a constant barrage of boos every time either individual comes to the ACC.

In time, perhaps folks will excuse what went down when Bosh bolted for Miami or when Carter allegedly talked his way out of town (eventually landing in New Jersey). For now, too many fans only see fire in their eyes when the names “Bosh” or “Carter” are uttered.

Thus, neither can be considered for a “Most Popular Raptors of All Time” list (nor can Tracy McGrady, for that matter). But who would make the list, and where does Calderon rank? Let’s break it down.

1. Charles Oakley (1998–2001): To this day, when fans or media discuss what is missing for the Raptors (or for many teams in the Association), the answer invariably becomes “a guy like Oak.” He was rough and tough; he mumbled and grumbled. And his tenacity, edge and attitude are exactly what Toronto needed then (and still needs now) alongside a budding superstar like Carter.

2. Jose Calderon (2005–13): He battled Jack, Ford, Lowry and more and he seemed to always come out on top. Calderon is first in team history in total assists and second in games played. He cried when he was traded to Detroit last season and often talked about wanting to stay in Toronto for his entire career. Plus, how many other point guards in the NBA are humble enough to play the role of Gatorade delivery guy for all their teammates at halftime?

3. Morris Peterson (2000–07): His durability was incredible—at one point he was the iron man of the NBA—and so was his ability to make the circus shot. Peterson was never afraid to take the ball to the hole and get hammered in traffic or hoist one from the perimeter. He was never a number-one guy, but as a second or third option—a guy who knew and accepted his role—Peterson was a fantastic complimentary piece during the VC era.

4. Alvin Williams (1998–2006): It’s hard not to love a player who once said (paraphrasing) that he’d die on the floor if that’s what it took. Williams played bone-on-bone in both knees for a number of years, suppressing the pain for the betterment of the team. And though he no longer does any coaching with Toronto, he trumpets the city every chance he gets.

5. Jerome Williams (2001–03): From the high socks to the headbands and the patented bark, the Junkyard Dog had folks eating out of the palms of his hands. And he still does. Like him or not (and most did), he is still one of the loudest backers and advocates for the city and the organization overall.

6. DeMar DeRozan (2009–present): If there’s a poster-boy for the organization—currently—it’s DeRozan. The California Kid is off to a big start in 2013–14 and he’s quickly rising a number of key all-time stats charts for the Raptors. Unfortunately, for now, DeRozan will be associated with the losing years in Toronto and he has yet to experience post-season play. Thus, hardcore fans are likely driving the anti-tank talk to give Double D his first taste.

7. Matt Bonner (2004–06): The Red Rocket became a bit of a cult hero for a lot of reasons. He lived and breathed Toronto, riding the subway to work and social outings, et al. He wrestled Kevin Garnett and got ejected. He took the heat from Sam Mitchell. He made threes. Bonner met his wife in Toronto and still owns a home in the city, and as he said last week he’s “honoured” to be remembered so fondly by the fans, stating, “That’s honoured—with a U.”

8. Anthony Parker (2006–09): Calm. Cool. Quiet-but-confident demeanor. That was both on and off of the floor. Parker could be lethal from the perimeter and quick-handed defensively. He was easy to approach as well—as a fan looking for an autograph or as a reporter wanting to chat. Parker’s maturity gave the Raptors a longer leash with the officials at times as well and, thus, his style benefited Toronto in a lot of ways. He was, perhaps, the best of the best when you look back at the influx of Europeans and Euro League players that then-GM Bryan Colangelo lured to T.O.

9. Amir Johnson (2009–present): He could be JYD without the socks, headband, and over-the-top personality. One could argue that no Raptor, ever, has embraced the city and tried to learn about it and make it home like Johnson has. He is active in the community and constantly showing the same hustle and heart for Toronto as a city that he does on the floor for the Raptors.

10. Damon Stoudamire (1995–98): There are still a lot of folks out there that would like to see this name excluded. But he may be the first “defector” to be welcomed back by most fans in Toronto. Maybe folks are finally appreciating what he meant to Toronto in their expansion years—a young stud PG helping to put a new NBA city on the map.

Check back next week for nine bonus names to bring the total to 19—one name for every Raptors season so far.