The Martlet

The Toronto Raptors received a major face-lift last summer.

One of last season’s predominant debates raged over how to divide the point guard duties between upstart Jose Calderon and T.J. Ford, the oft-injured Texas Longhorn with a Napoleon complex.

General manager Bryan Colangelo elected to ship Ford to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Jermaine O’Neal, an injury-prone former all-star most famous for decking a fan during the famed Detroit/Indiana brawl of 2004.

The transaction hoped to solidify the point guard dispute and form a lethal low-post duo between O’Neal and franchise player Chris Bosh.

Nine games into the NBA regular season, and the Raps’ old issues have continued to persist while new wounds have opened up.

The two greatest issues for last year’s squad revolved around rebounding and the efficiency of their wing players. During the 2008 post-season, Toronto suffered a first-round exit after Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic manhandled Raptors players on the boards.

Through eight games the Raps have been out-rebounded by nearly six per game. Their problems at the shooting guard and small forward positions seem even greater.

Starting small forward Jamario Moon became a fan favourite last season with his high-flying athleticism and hustle. This season he showed up to training camp out of shape and his early season statistics have suffered because of his conditioning. In 27 minutes of nightly action, Moon has averaged a paltry 7.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Many Raptors fans have called for perennial benchwarmer Joey Graham to take Moon’s place in the starting line-up. The muscle-bound Graham has a stronger likelihood of a career in mixed martial arts, then a starting position in Toronto.

Throw in starting shooting guard Anthony Parker’s inexcusable two rebounds per outing and you can see why Raptors’ Manager Colangelo needs to solidify his back court if his side wishes to contend in an Eastern Conference dominated by wing players such as Lebron James and Paul Pierce.

In the past week the Raps have been linked to possible trades involving the Charlotte Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace and the Golden State Warriors’ Al Harrington. Wallace is the better all-around player and would improve their perimeter defence, but his head is softer than that of Eric Lindros. Wallace is one concussion away from a lifetime of golf and South Florida women.

Perhaps the greatest point of contention for Raptors fans remains Andrea Bargnani, the Italian seven-footer and former number one draft pick. During his first two seasons in the NBA, judgment on Bargnani has ranged from some labelling him the next Dirk Nowitzki to those who feel he could become a draft bust worthy of Darko Milicic levels. It doesn’t help that Bargnani has a permanent look of lethargy on his face.

This season Bargnani has contributed fantastic games only to sprinkle in an equal number with non-existent production. Should Bargnani continue his inconsistent play look for Colangelo to move him to your neighbourhood Olive Garden.

Despite years of stronger competition in the Western conference, significant power has shifted to the East. No longer can a team survive on the merits of its two star players, such as Bosh and Calderon.

If the Raptors wish to make the second round of the post-season, Colangelo will have to shake things up and add depth to a team which sorely needs it.