Chance To Advance Lost

In a season that has to this point had a lot of is the glass half full or empty moments another one happened yesterday. While the Raptors were getting the wood taken to them by Chris Paul and his  Hornets.  Good news from the NBA out of town scoreboard as the Sixers and Wizards both lost as well. Some will say that news is bad as Raptors had a chance to gain ground on both. It is all in how you look at it. Currently the Raptors are in what many would agree is the ideal spot to be. The 6th spot has been the focus of many Raptor fans based on the fact you get the Magic in round 1. The race for 5th through 7th is about as tight as you can get.

• Wizards 38-35
• Raptors 37-36
• Sixers    37-37

The one disappointment that has no good side to it was how Jason Kapono responded to a chance to be in the starting line-up.  Kapono got paid a lot of money to come to Toronto and he has been a disappointment. Many Raptor fans were saying that they wished we had just kept Morris Peterson. I love Moe P as much as anyone. But his time in Toronto was done and Kapono and Peterson are just two of many gunners that make a living in the NBA. Was the signing of Kapono a mistake? It sure may seem that way. But I choose to think about it in the sense of when this team is complete would I want Kapono? That answer is Yes as he still is a very solid shooter. If the Raptors got another player that was able to draw double teams Kapono becomes highly effective. I point to yesterday's game  vs. Hornets. Paul and West both can draw to defenders and who benefits from this the most? Peja who was getting open looks and being a solid shooter he was making them. Kapono has the issue that he can not create his own shot. The other issue that keeps him on the bench is that he is a weak defender and is not able to guard the athletic type players that dominant at his position. 

It was also shown yesterday that as good as both sides of the great debate of Calderon and Ford may make out their guy. Both are not to that elite level at this point. Chris Paul is at that level and it should have been made clear to any Ford or Calderon fan.  So this rush to run one out of town for the other may not be wise. I think of both on that next level down from guys like Paul or Nash. I think as much as people refuse to except it the Raptors need both. It is rare that you have a day like yesterday where at least one of the two can compete no matter the player on the other side.  If you stick with Ford you have the obvious injury history to be concerned with. If you stick with Jose you run the risk of counting on Roko Ukic to be a real player in just year one in the NBA.  That along with realization that Calderon is not a solid defender and has moments where he has not been effective. He is having an outstanding break out season.  He deserves all the credit in the world for his play and his actions. There is a reasonable expectation that after such break out season that his play will dip or level off. Not trying to Jinx Jose but if you look back at other NBA stars that have had these break out season you look to the next year and see a slight dip or a leveling off at the very least. Few Players have been able to improve the next year as well. There is no rush to make this choice for Toronto. Bryan Colangelo knows that even if the media and the fan base don't. 

He is not that April Fool after all he is the 2 time executive of the year. He clearly will have work to do this off season. If the chance to make a trade that would include Ford or even Calderon I think he would look at it. The fact is Colangelo has built this team to give him options and has not painted himself into any corners.  I have confidence in Colangelo and have no doubt there is Plan A-D already made. What happens the rest of the way may alter those plans slightly but the most clear thing that this season has shown is the need for a big defensive force that can defend and rebound. That is at the top of the wish list for Toronto. 

The off-season will be here soon enough. Before I am reduced to waiting for Canada's attempt make the games in China. There is a Raptor season to finish.  You never even know the Raptors may figure things out just in time to make a bit of a run heading into the playoffs.  I am not a baseball fan and grow less a hockey fan everyday so the Raptors and the NBA are all I got. So please don't hit the fast forward button on the rest of the Raptor Season. I am not ready to sit in front of my T.V half asleep watching a NHL Playoff Game that never ends or a Baseball game that seems to last almost as long. I want my B-Ball and I still have it for as long as the Raptors can manage to hang around. Sure once they are out I will still watch the playoffs but it will not feel the same anymore. So enjoy this month ahead Raptor Fans because it is a long cold off season. Well it is technically summer but the way the weather has been I have forgotten what hot feels like. Spring and the Playoffs are coming for Raptor fans. Leaf Fans Golf courses will be open soon too. That being said Raptor Rewind tonight after hopefully a Raptor Win in Charlotte.