Raptors Continue to Struggle
Toronto Cannot Seem to Win Games
After a 3-0 start to the season expectations were high for Chris Bosh and company, but since then there has been long losing streaks and criticism of players, coaches and general managers. Sam Mitchell has already lost his position with the team, and Bryan Colangelo may end up making a move before the trade deadline to improve the team in hopes of making the playoffs.
Problems with Injuries and Inconsistency
The Raptors are the worst team in the Atlantic Division and much of that can be attributed to the fact that they are 2-7 against their local rivals. In addition, the Raptors have faced many injury problems this season. Jose Calderon has been frequently injured and has missed eight games already this season. This was the main concern when T.J. Ford was traded this past off season for Jermaine O’Neil who ironically enough has been injured a few times too. Although, O’Neil has shown brilliance at times when he has played, he , like the rest of the team, has shown inconsistency.
The Achilles heel for the Raptors has obviously been the backup point guard position which has not been filled well by either Will Solomon or Roko Ukic. Ukic has shown that he is developing however even then he has also shown that he cannot handle a full 48 minutes just yet. When Solomon has played, he has turned over the ball numerous times and has also shown poor defense.
Although the supporting cast of Anthony Parker, Joey Graham and the rest of the group has stepped up in some clutch situations, they have also been the most inconsistent players on the team. While Parker’s offensive instincts are great, his weak defense has allowed game tying and game winning shots. Joey Graham has shown the burst of energy that was expected of him when he first entered the NBA, but he has also showed a lack of aggression in many games.
Bosh and Bargnani
The positives for the teams has been Chris Bosh as usual, and based on his current form, Andrea Bargnani. Bosh has slowed down from the quick start he had at the beginning of the year, but he is still going to be called upon in the clutch and he is still the face of this franchise. He has also been injury free so far this season which is definitely a positive for Raptor fans considering Bosh has not played a full season since his second year in the NBA, and he is still averaging over 23 points a game.
Since Jay Triano took over as the interim coach, Andrea Bargnani has been on quite a roll especially since the New Year. He has added the aggression that was always desired for a man of his size, but has also stuck to his quick release shot. But considering how much the team is struggling, Bargnani’s progression has barely been noticed. The team is at its worst point in three years. They cannot win games and at times, cannot even buy a basket so to speak.
There is half of the year left, and times are rough for the Raptors. The question now remains, if they try to stick with the roster they have for a playoff push, or will Colangelo feel that he has to move some men around to improve the team and make a trade. The story of the Raptors being out-rebounded in games has been reported on numerous occasions the past three years, yet that story has not changed. Although O’Neil has improved their rebounding, for the most part the Raptors are still struggling on the defensive end of the floor.
Regardless if they make the playoffs or not, it is doubtful that this current Raptors team will be championship contenders, or even a team that will be able to make it to the second round of the playoffs.
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