2009-2010 Toronto Raptors Preview

2008 Record: 33-49, 4th in Eastern Conf. Atlantic Division
Head Coach: Jay Triano, 2nd season
Key Additions: G Marco Belinelli, G Jarrett Jack, C Rasho Nesterovic, F Hedo Turkoglu
Key Losses: G-F Jason Kapono, F Shawn Marion, G Anthony Parker
1st Round Draft Picks: F DeMar DeRozan
2nd Round Draft Picks: None

2008-'09 Raptors Review:

Given that they had to endure a coaching change just one month into their season, the Toronto Raptors couldn't have been expected to make too much of a push in 2008'-09. Jay Triano replaced Sam Mitchell as the Raptors' bench boss on Dec. 3, 2008, an alarmingly premature time for a shake-up on an NBA sideline. The rest of the campaign inevitably became a very bumpy flight across North America, as Toronto lost five straight games in December, seven straight in January, and six straight from the final week of January through Feb. 7. At 19-34 after those three crippling experiences, the Raptors limped to the finish line and gave thanks that their turbulent journey was over.

2009-'10 Raptors Preview:

Now here's a team that radically improved itself in the offseason. General Manager Bryan Colangelo gave Triano substantial infusions of depth, power and chemistry with his summer wheeling and dealing. Toronto plucked Hedo Turkoglu from the Orlando Magic; pried Marco Belinelli from Golden State in exchange for Devean George, giving core member Andrea Bargnani an Italian teammate; and added other complementary pieces in Jarrett Jack (from Indiana), Antoine Wright (Dallas), and Reggie Evans (Philadelphia). The Raptors also drafted uber-athletic wingman DeMar DeRozan from USC for good measure. As you can see, Jerry Colangelo's son added to the roster at all spots on the floor, while likely improving the camaraderie in the locker room. Bargnani, Chris Bosh, and Jose Calderon--the nucleus of the team in recent years--now have some great pieces to work with on a distinctly international roster that should mesh well under Triano, a Canadian-born coach who is well liked in the organization and is acting like a man who has found the situation in which his own career can flourish. NBA teams need talent and happiness in order to thrive; early indications suggest that the Raptors are on their way to a playoff season, and perhaps a No. 4 seed in the East, in 2010.

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By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

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