Raptors not extinct

Another new NBA season has started and a lot of questions have been left un-answered. The NBA may be my favourite sport to watch on television. I am a very big Raptors fan and they themselves had one of the biggest question marks entering the season. That question mark was the health of Jermaine O'Neal(JO). Now I know the Raps are only three games into the season but so far JO has seemed healthy and back to all-star form. He is playing in what could possible be the best front court in the eastern conference, if not the whole NBA. Chris Bosh an JO make for a fantastic front court and with Jose Calderon running the point the Raps look as if they may be a contender in the Eastern Conference. Basketball fans know that the teams to beat in the East are; Detroit, who with the recent trade for Allen Iverson have either thrust new life into there team or killed all the chemistry they had and threw the season away, Cleavland, any team with Lebron James and a ever improving Mo Williams playing point guard can contend, Orlando, Dwight Howard is a beast and Rashard Lewis has the ability of being an all-star, and of course the defending NBA champions Boston, who witht he big three of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce along with Rajon Rondo improving every time he steps on the court they look difficult to beat. The Raptors front court can contend with any of the teams and Calderon is very much capable of playing better then any of those previous teams point guards, it seems as though the Raps shouldnt be written off.

I believe the key to success of the Raptors season will be the play of the players people do not tend to talk about. Anthony Parker needs to be the defender he has proven he can be, as well as start to be more aggressive on the offensive end. Jamario Moon needs to be aggressive and drive to the basket and not settle for his jump shot. Jason Kapono needs to just keep shooting the three ball and just work on keeping his man away from the basket. Roko Ucic is still a young kid but at 6'5 is a huge point guard and can handle the ball better then alot of players in the NBA, his jump shot is below average but i believe his basketball IQ and ball handling ability will lead to success for this young kid. As for Andrea Bargnani and Kris Humphries if they can contribute solid minutes well bosh and JO take there breaks then the Raps could be a top three team in the conference and finally break past the first round of the NBA Playoffs.