Going International: The 2006 Toronto Raptors

2005 NBA Record: 27-55 (4th in the Atlantic Division, East Conference)
It shouldn't be surprising that the Toronto Raptors, the only NBA team outside of the United States, went international in the 2005 NBA off-season. With the first pick in this summer's NBA Draft, the Raptors bypassed LaMarcus Aldridge and Adam Morrison for the potentially great seven footer Andre Bargnani. As well, former Phoenix Suns general manager Bryan Colangelo brought in Italian basketball legend Maurizio Gherardini as his assistant general manager and several European players to fill out the Raptors bench. Coach Sam Mitchell has a major task in 2006, which is to mesh his new group of international players with talented youngsters like Chris Bosh and T.J. Ford into something resembling a professional team.

Front Court- At center, Mitchell will probably go with Rasho Nasterovic, who gives a yeoman's effort each game but will make Raptors fans clamoring for Andrea Bargnani to get polished in a hurry. Nasterovic will take some defensive and rebounding pressure off of team leader Chris Bosh, who can score from the interior and midrange along with rebounding, passing, and dictating the direction of the franchise. Bosh will have another great season with point guard T.J. Ford making plays and starting up the offense throughout the season. Scoring forward Morris Peterson will continue to bring points by the bucketful but little else unless he turns into a complete player overnight. Don't count on that but count on an improved front court that will get even better with Andrea Bargnani making spot starts after the All Star Break.

Back Court- The deal sending away Charlie Villanueva to the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard T.J. Ford was one of Colangelo's better moves this off-season. Villanueva is promising but they are solid in the front court and a bona fide point guard will give the often chaotic Raptors offense some direction. Ford can push the ball, pass, and make plays, but the Bucks were willing to deal him because of injury concerns. Ford will play most of the season and his play making ability will help improve Bosh's performance down low and open up some shots for other players. Shooting guard Fred Jones is a solid and versatile player who could really flourish on a team with a lot of talent at the point and down low. Jones should expect some open shots and if he drives to the hole regularly, he will become central to the team's rebuilding effort.

Bench- The bench has some solid potential but is low on NBA experience, leaving many questions as to how the Raptors will do once the starters are on the bench. Andre Bargnani will get considerable minutes in an effort to get him NBA ready but his shooting ability and versatility makes him an immediate contributor in 2006. Forward Joey Graham can bang inside and is athletic, but needs to live up to his potential in his second season or Colangelo will ship him out. Guards Anthony Parker and Jose Calderon can play both guard positions, can score, and already have experience as professionals in the international game. The bench has a lot of potential in two to three years, but this year will be too up and down to make them a playoff contender.

Intangibles- Coach Sam Mitchell has a wealth of knowledge and a good relationship with his players but he may need a translator with the amount of foreign talent on his team in 2006. However, players like Anthony Parker and Andrea Bargnani have played professionally in renowned European and world leagues which have proven to produce good talent over the last decade. General Manager Bryan Colangelo certainly gave him enough talent and this year is important for his future as the Raptors head coach. If they can add ten to twelve wins onto their 2005 title and play close against top Eastern Conference teams, Raptors fans will come back and Mitchell will prowl the sidelines in 2007.

2006 NBA Projection: 38-44 (3rd in the Atlantic Division) Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks aren't improving and the Raptors made too many moves in the off-season not to have some residual enthusiasm. T.J. Ford is an important piece to the puzzle for the Raptors and Bargnani will be ready to start in the NBA by the end of the 2006-2007 season. Colangelo's wheeling and dealing will yield some benefits in 2006, with 38 wins in a formerly moribund Toronto team nothing to sneeze at.