Toronto Raptors Tickets

Toronto Raptors 2008/2009 Season Preview The Toronto Raptors were stuck in neutral last season, making the playoffs but losing yet again in the first round, something that has become increasingly frustrating for their fans.

The Raptors had controversy at the point guard position for the second straight season, as they couldn't figure out whether T.J. Ford or Jose Calderon was their starter. Ford continued to be plagued by injuries and Calderon put up the better numbers, but that didn't seem to matter.

In the offseason, the Raptors have finally decided to make some changes. The team traded away Ford to the Indiana Pacers and acquire center Jermaine O' Neal. While it is a risk given O' Neal's bulky knee, it could turn out to be a fantastic move if he can stay healthy. A combination of Bosh and O' Neal down low will be a lot to handle for opponents.

It would be nice to see Andrea Bargnani finally realize his potential. The Raptors apparently wasted a top draft pick on him, and he could be a major difference-maker if he started to play up to his capabilities.

Because of Bargnani's struggles, the Raptors are now afraid to draft any player from Europe for fear he will also be a bust.

The signing of guard Jason Kapono proved to be a great move, as his outside shooting has made a difference for the Raptors. At 6' 8", he has outstanding ball-handling skills for a player his size and the ability to shoot from the outside over virtually any defender. Opponents simply cannot give him any space to spot up and shoot the basketball.

Outside of the Bosh-O' Neal combination, this team does little to impress me. Calderon is probably a top 15 point guard who could be an All-Star, but there are just too many missing pieces on this team.

They have plenty of eighth and ninth men on their bench, but not the important sixth man they need. Essentially, they have a plethora of role players but none of them are talented enough to make major impacts off the bench.

Given some of the other teams in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors still look like a middle-of-the-pack team that will make the playoffs but struggle to get out of the first round for yet another season.