How Good Are The 2008-09 Toronto Raptors?

This article is also posted at hoops4life.com, an NBA fan site.

The NBA's sole Canadian team is facing a big challenge this season: advance through the NBA Playoffs. The Raptors has shown huge improvement over the previous two seasons, but they have struggled in the postseason. 

In the 2006-07 postseason, after clinching the Atlantic division title and getting the home court advantage for the first round, the Nets held them off in six games.

Last year, Orlando Magic defeated them in the first round after five games as well, despite different results throughout the regular season.

In 2007, they won 47 games in the regular season, but their lack of Playoff experience and key injuries such as Jorge Garbajosa’s, prevented them advancing in the postseason.

In 2008, things didn't go so well. They had an irregular performance during the regular season, and they won seven fewer games than the year before.

After this step back, the front office has made many key decisions. They placed trust in Sam Mitchell again, solved their point guard dilemma, selecting Spaniard Jose Calderon as full-time starter, and sent T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic to Indiana in exchange for All-Star forward, Jermaine O’Neal.

It is a risky move, but sometimes, you have to take risks in order to step forward. O’Neal has had health problems during the previous seasons, and he has missed 122 games in the last four years.  

However, if he stays healthy, he is one of the best inside players in the league. He is a five-time All-Star, and he has had back to back 20+ppg and 10+rpg seasons. He is also a big intimidator—considered one of the best blockers in the league.

At Toronto, he will play the center position, letting Chris Bosh, the team's best player , play the power forward spot. In my opinion, if O’Neal stays healthy, he will be a difference maker, and this tandem will be the best in the Eastern Conference.

We shouldn’t expect a tremendous season from O’Neal. He won’t be the same as his early years in the League; nevertheless, he will be a key part of this team success. His presence will take pressure off Bosh’s shoulders. He will have more freedom, and he could focus on his offensive talents. O’Neal will grab many rebounds, be a defensive power and put about fourteen points on the board.

It’s obvious that O’Neal’s presence will be great for Bosh; but not only for him. Jason Kapono and Jose Calderon will have open jumpers from the perimeter because of the double teams in the low post. Kapono and Calderon are smart shooters.

While O’Neal’s move is a risky one, Calderon’s is quite safe. As I wrote in a previous column, the Spanish point guard is the real deal, and with more talent around him he will be an All-Star. He has an outstanding basketball IQ and will bring smart choices with the ball on ever possession.

Jamarrio Moon will play at small forward, and Anthony Parker will share the backcourt with Calderon. These two players will provide aggressiveness and rebounding support as well as scoring.

Coming off the bench will be Andrea Bargnani, former first overall pick of 2006 NBA draft. He has to have a breakout year, and support his team as a role player. People should forget the background and expect a new role for this player.

Some other unproven players complete the rosters. Backing up Calderon will be European rookie Roko Ukic.  He played with TAU Vitoria, along with players like Andres Nocioni, Luis Scola, Francisco Oberto, and Calderon.  He has outstanding athletic abilities and plays the game at a break-neck pace, tools that will help as the second point guard, and at times, shooting guard.

These are their weapons—are they good enough?

They can be at least.  

They are a solid and more experienced team than in 2007.

In my opinion, Chris Bosh is the leader of this team, and he has to build the momentum which will guide them to the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.