The mood inside the Air Canada Centre on Sunday after the Toronto Raptors' 104-88 loss to the Chicago Bulls said it all. A season that promised so much is now on the verge of disaster.
At the All-Star Break, the Raptors seemed certainties for the playoffs and were well-placed to secure the number five spot in the East. Now they look set to miss out on the post season altogether.
The injury to Chris Bosh could not have come at a worse time but the team's soft centre has been a problem throughout the past two months. Hedo Turkoglu looks a lost soul after a woeful year, Andrea Bargnani was schooled on the boards by the Bulls' Joakim Noah and continues to lack the physicality in the centre spot, while Jose Calderon is getting exploited defensively night after night.
There have been bright spots, namely Jarrett Jack, Amir Johnson and the improved Sonny Weems, but it may well be too late for this year's playoffs.
The Bulls have a tricky remaining schedule in the battle for eighth, facing the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Bobcats, but there is nothing to suggest the Raptors can apply pressure by beating the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks.
One thing is for sure: if the Raptors end up missing the playoffs, you can be sure that there will be some new faces in Toronto come October.
Monday, April 12, 2010
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