Raptors End of Season Wrap up.

Predicted Outcome: 25-57, fourth place Southeast Division

Currently: 21-57, fifth place Southeast Division (4 games left)

The Toronto Raptors should change their name to the Toronto "Lack"-tors because that summarizes the team’s past, present and future. For its fifteen year history, Toronto has lacked in credibility and respect of much of the basketball viewing public as the Raptors garner little of no media attention whatsoever. As a result Toronto has lacked the ability to attract quality free agents and retain their own as well. The biggest name that the Raptors have ever attracted in the free agent was Hedo Turkoglu, and we all know how that ended, right? Throughout the course of the season, the Raptors consistently lacked in defensive awareness and intensity, rebounding, talent, veteran presence and leadership. With all that they were lacking, it is not shocking why the Raptors sport a 21-57 record and are currently last place in the Atlantic Division.

One area that the Raptors did not lack, however, was the strong camaraderie and positive chemistry between the team and its players. Despite their hardships, the Raptors never showed any signs of division of acrimony between players. The teammates seemed to genuinely like each other and went out of the way to support one another as they played this rather tough season. There was never talk in the media of players pointing fingers and placing blame. Despite the ongoing criticisms the team stuck together and did not fall in the traps that go along with a struggling team.


Credit the coaching staff for keeping the positive chemistry and camaraderie within the team. Coach Jay Triano and his assistants have done an excellent job in maintaining a positive attitude and maintaining a solid level of confidence within the organization. They know that they have a very inexperienced team that will make plenty of mistakes; however, they have done an excellent job in taking every game as a learning experience and an opportunity to grow and develop. In fact, the greatest strength of the Raptors’ coaching staff has been its ability to develop their young players. (. . . continued)