Raptors Seeking Winning Change from Prehistoric Losing

The Toronto Raptors of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 were an (altogether) strong, emergent team that were looking to take the head off the other bodies of the Eastern Conference teams, but with inconsistency, inadequacy and injuries abounding, consecutive first-round exits seemed to be a natural products of the circumstances. Enter the updated Raptors, trim with youth and strong in veteran presence.

A major change revolves around the leaving of Terence Jerod "T.J." Ford and the coming of Jermaine O'Neal, from the Indiana Pacers, from a trade no less. With a controversy brewing around the starting point guard position with Jose Calderon and the lack of post presence aside from Chris Bosh, the trade between the two franchises seemed natural and a necessary option to take advantage of. O'Neal was most effective when he was healthy and had a teammate that could be interchangeable with him near the basket, not unlike Brad Miller. With age and malaise really doing the Pacers in recent years, O'Neal's arrival to Toronto should be to the benefit of the entire Toronto team. Bosh finally gets a big man versatile enough to play effectively and Calderon finally can breathe comfortably enough to run the show full-time.

Aside from this, one other topic of considerable note is the play Andrea Bargnani. After having a successful rookie campaign in 2006-'07, the 7-foot Italian struggled with his confidence and some minor injuries on the floor in 2008, which created a hint of doubt about how he'd be able to really flourish with the team. Bargnani will definitely have to sharpen up every single aspect of his game to be able to really take advantage of his matchups on the court. For head coach Sam Mitchell, a big issue was making Bargnani being a sole post player, but in reality, Bargnani is best as a combination forward, not being a center. The Raptors were considerably weaker with Big B as a center, largely because he wasn't able to fully take advantage of his outside shooting from the three-point area. Bargnani must become a better ballhandler (though already skilled for his size and age) and he must be better as a rebounder, but his success looks to lie in his position as a small forward/power forward hybrid, not unlike Dirk Nowitzki.

With a consistent veteran presence in Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon, another spark of energy in Hassan Adams of Arizona Wildcats fame and a new kid on the block with the rock in 2005 draftee Roko Leni-Ukic, the Raptors may be poised for advancement into the later rounds of the playoffs.