Thanks to the fact they're in a conference where eight games under .500 earns you a playoff spot, the Raptors are all but a lock for the post season, despite their abysmal road trip.
That's the good news.
Here's the bad.
They are now dangerously close to falling to the back of the playoff pack which would land them a first round series with either the Celtics or Pistons. Even the biggest optimist would have to admit the Raptors would go down in the first round and if they play the way they have the last five games, it will be quick and it will be painful.
After winning the Atlantic Divison last season the bar has been raised for this team but they won't be judged on how they finish the regular season. Sucess or failure will be determined by the playoffs. Only if they get past the first round can you say this team has made progress.
The imminent return of Chris Bosh will give the team a big boost on both ends of the floor, however, if the rest of the team doesn't pick it up defensively, rebound better and make wiser decisions on offence, the playoffs will be over before you know it.
On a side note... TJ Ford proved my point about his immaturity with his tantrum in Utah... we're talking about a game that was tied heading into the fourth before he lost control.
I agree with you Barry and am surprised nobody made a bigger deal out of it about TJ. What an embarrassing display by a guy who has not been in anyones good books lately. In my opinion, the TJ Ford show in Toronto needs to be put to an immediate end, as soon as possible.
The game was looking very winnable, and might have been a huge boost for the raps coming home. I just can't believe how quickly things went sour with TJ.
We are a young team with a lack of NBA experience. It's just like the NHL..Europeans look good, make plays, give you hope..but play-off time..gone. We dont have the juice to do anything this year in the play-offs. We cant beat cleveland, D-town, or the Clams in Bo-town. I am happy that we will be in the play-offs and the good thing about the best of five 1st round is that sleepers can move on but we cant handle the 3 so called superpowers in the east.
Right on Barry! Now, spread the word to other journalists who still believe in TJ Ford. I watched the Cleveland game and I knew that the Raptors were going to lose as soon as TJ was inserted. Sam is affraid of pulling TJ out of games. This is always apparent in the 4th quarter, when he either goes with TJ for far too long or goes with that two-point guard combo (that never works). I really can't be angry at TJ anymore, since everyone is seeing what type of player he really is. In my opinion, if you don't know who is producing on the floor, then the coach should be canned. TJ is going to be a hard sell this summer and I don't envy Byran's job.