The Toronto Raptors Are Showing How Dinosaurs Went Extinct

There have been many theories offered for the demise of dinosaurs, and most of them center around starvation or an asteroid, but after watching the Toronto Raptors, maybe scientists need to consider some alternatives.

Dinosaurs, especially Raptors, were considered some of the strongest, most fierce land animals to walk the Earth, but to compare the NBA team in Toronto with actual raptors would be a grave disservice to the species.

The Toronto version of the Raptors have none of the qualities associated with their prehistoric brethren, and the manner in which the Toronto Raptors have faded in the face of pressure suggest no fight or fierceness.

Consider, the Raptors absolutely needed to win yesterday's game against the Golden State Warriors, but faced with a team playing for nothing, Toronto was literally run off the court.

Chris Bosh was readily willing to accept blame, and he was equally gracious enough to distribute it amongst his teammates, when exclaiming that each player must accept responsibility in the Raptors' quest for the postseason.

The loss dropped Toronto to the seventh position in the East, only one and a half game in front of the Chicago Bulls, and hastened their descent to the bottom of the standings in much the same manner the dinosaurs disappeared from the earth.

Issues abound, but the journey to the center of Toronto's problems must begin with Bosh, who is a certified superstar, but has none of the resolve and will of some of his superstar peers.

Since Bosh made his return from injury, the Raptors have lost four games in a row, and even though Bosh has performed with distinction in most games, his impact has not left a discernible mark on Toronto's record.

No one would question the talent which courses through Bosh's veins, but his inability to capture critical wins in the face of adversity leaves him a notch or two below players of his caliber.

It's hard to imagine Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, or LeBron James losing to the Warriors in a must-win game, and even though Bosh bears much of the weight, blame must also be dispersed among his teammates.

Hedo Turkoglu was signed as the missing piece for the Raptors, a player who would thrust them into contention in the Eastern Conference, and possibly place them on par with the league's elite.

Instead, each part of Turkoglu's game has regressed, and his 12-point per game average is well below his output as a crucial member of the Orlando Magic's 2009 NBA Finals team.

With Orlando, Turkoglu was an important secondary ball-handler, and the only member of the team who could create his own shot in critical possessions, but without Dwight Howard, his flaws have been exposed.

Turkoglu excelled in Orlando because Howard could mask his defensive short-comings with his shot-blocking ability in the post, but in Toronto, Turkoglu has no weak side help like Howard.

In fact, that axiom translates to offense as well, because opposing teams were reluctant to double Turkoglu in Orlando, while leaving Howard with single coverage in the post.

Hedo is finding the going much more difficult in Toronto, and with the protective blanket of Howard stripped away, it's becoming clear the Raptors may have spent more than Turkoglu was worth.

One bright spot for the Raptors has been the play of Andrea Bargnani, who has shown great maturity in his game, and has become a legitimate second option behind Bosh.

His 17 point per game average has been impressive, but it's still not enough to off-set Toronto's inability to get stops, and defense has been the glaring issue in the Raptors' season.

Toronto can score points by the bushel, but they also allow the opposition the same opportunity, which is sure to shorten their stay in the postseason, if they make it that far.

Two weeks ago, there was talk of Toronto challenging the Boston Celtics for supremacy in the Atlantic Division, but now fate has reduced them to a team struggling to maintain their postseason viability.

The dinosaurs were such powerful creatures that it's hard to picture them succumbing in the same manner as Toronto, but maybe they did just roll over and die once the fight had left their bodies.