Hugs and Kisses in Raptorland?

[NJNJ]

From an ugly start to a rousing finish to 2009, might the Toronto Raptors be the team to keep an eye on heading into 2010? Some of our good friends up north seem to think so ... well, sort of.

 

Much like our friends in Washington, the Raptors entered this season with high expectations.

 

Hedo Turkoglu was supposed to join All-Star forward Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon to form a dynamic force that would challenge for a spot in the upper half of the Eastern Conference.

 

When that dream vanished a couple weeks into the season, it became painfully clear that the Raptors would have to endure some growing pains as a group before they established themselves.

 

It's amazing how many issues get erased during a five-game winning streak (only Cleveland at six straight boasts a more impressive end of 2009 run), such as the one the Raptors take into the New Year.

 

Go ahead, check the Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors are entrenched in the playoff mix right now and poised to rise (or fall), depending on their performance in the coming months.

 

This is the same Raptors team that lost 13 of their first 20 games and had folks screaming for the head of someone who could play the role of the fall guy.

 

But those dark days are over. Bosh is back to his double double ways and Jarrett Jack is playing with a purpose, helping make up for the loss of Calderon to injury.

 

These Raptors won't have to dig out of some giant hole just to dream about getting into the postseason chase.

 

CONTINUE READING

[BasX]

And tomorrow we face Boston then San Antonio on a back to back. This is a major test for the Raptors and I haven't heard news on Hedo but he left the last game hurt and we barely squeaked out a win versus Charlotte. Overall the win streak is nice and you need to beat team who are worse than you, but the level hasn't been as high and it will need to be in the next stretch of games.