The Raptors are going to have to make a decision on whether to keep T.J. Ford or Jose Calderon sooner rather than later.

It has often been said that if not controlled, a person's greatest strength can turn out to be the greatest weakness. In this case, it applies to the Raptors' point guard situation. Once a strength, it now seems to be spiraling out of control.

For years the franchise was rudderless -- functioning without a true point guard. They managed, but through the years it became obvious that to become a championship-caliber team they needed a good floor general with solid decision-making skills. Suddenly they had not one, but two players emerge. T.J. Ford was acquired via trade with Milwaukee and Jose Calderon matured, after a difficult rookie season, and the two-pronged point guard situation in Toronto turned out to be one of the best in the NBA. The pair churned out prolific stats and even bigger headaches for opposing defenses. But now, one of Ford or Calderon has to go.

Intentionally or not, Calderon has put the pressure on Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo by saying that he wants to be part of a winning team, making references to salary because he's a restricted free agent, but more importantly, saying that he wants to be a starter.

Colangelo has vowed to "resolve" the situation and it is the popular belief that T.J. Ford is the one who will be traded. It has always been maintained here that Ford has a higher ceiling and greater potential. Because Raptor fans have a certain perception of how things should look and when things don't coincide with that perception when it comes to T.J. Ford's actions it is deemed wrong and consequently, he is the one that the populace would like to see shipped out. But will Calderon feel betrayed if he is re-signed and then traded because he may have higher trade value and bring back more in return?

On a side note, it will be interesting to see how the Toronto fan base, over time as Calderon's words sink in, reacts to what he has said. Wasn't it T.J. Ford that was characterized as being selfish, and individualistic for saying that he wanted to be a starter and he did not see himself coming off the bench? He tried to adapt to the new role, one he had never had before at any point in his basketball career and failed miserably. Ford's struggled wretchedly and his play on the floor hurt the team in the process as he tried at times to do too much and perhaps prove himself worthy of a starting role. His public declaration that he wanted to be a starter served to throw gasoline on the fire he started with his poor play off the bench.

But Ford said what he said, in front of the cameras, microphones, on the record with all the pens scratching down his words quickly on paper and he didn't back away from any of his statements. It may not have been a wise move, but he stood there, answered the questions and took all the heat that came with his utterances. Much different than saying it on a website without anyone having a chance to ask more probing follow-up questions. Yes, Calderon performed perhaps the most magnanimous gesture in the history of the franchise late in the season by going to the coaching staff and volunteering to step aside and let Ford start. In a prudent move Calderon put it all aside for the team and tried his best not to rock the boat at a key time in the season. But could he not have said during his exit interview, in front of the media, that he wanted to be a starter? You know he had been thinking about it for a long time particularly being in a contract year. Is Calderon not saying now that it's me or him?

So one of the great strengths of the team has become a potential powder keg and Colangelo has to find a solution. If not, it will destroy any remaining chemistry between the two point men and maybe spill over into the rest of the locker room as Ford and Calderon continue to split time with one watching from the sidelines feeling that he should be on the floor.

In spite of both point men feeling that they should be running the team and playing the lion's share of the minutes, it says here that regardless of who stays and who goes, there will be diminishing returns in the short term as someone logs more minutes. Right now splitting the minutes is perfect as their styles are the perfect compliment to one another. The decision as to who stays and who goes will also have an effect the make up of the team since it will dictate what parts Colangelo tries to fetch in a trade.

Fast forward to some point next season and I can hear the second guessing cries from Raptor fans that, even when it was working well, were determined to choose one point guard over the other, the wrong point man was traded.

Too bad a strength turned into a weakness but it has and eventually someone will have to go.

Lottery Stuff

The NBA Draft Lottery goes in Secaucus New Jersey on May 20th and each team involved will have a representative on stage and one backstage in room 3A. The backstage rep actually witnesses the lottery and knows the order of the draft some 90 minutes before the proceedings hit the airwaves and become public knowledge. The catch is they are sequestered in the room with no cell phones or any other way to communicate with the outside world.

A host of the usual suspects will be present to be the face of the team on stage with some franchises sending players (Memphis - Rudy Gay, Miami - Dwayne Wade, Seattle - Kevin Durrant) and big names attached to the franchise (Indiana - President Larry Bird, Charlotte - GM Rod Higgins, L.A. Clippers - coach Mike Dunleavy, New York - new coach Mike D'Antoni, Milwaukee - new GM John Hammond, New Jersey - new GM Kiki Vandeweghe, and Minnesota - assistant GM Fred Hoiberg). But the Sacramento Kings are sending Margie Darilo a long time season seat holder who has lucky roots.

The story goes Margie's grandmother was supposed to be on the Titanic, yes the Titanic, but literally missed the boat. Guess the Kings figure her luck might help them get a good pick and keep the ship on course for the playoffs next season.

Tip-ins

It's the 24th year of the NBA draft lottery and only four times has the team with the worst record actually secured the first overall pick….. Since 1985, the first year of the lottery, 10 of the 23 number one picks have won the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award…..The San Antonio Spurs have the longest "drought" having not been in the lottery since 1997 when they won it and selected Tim Duncan with the top pick and by contrast the LA Clippers have been in the lottery 18 times since its inception….The Golden State Warriors enter the lottery this year with the best winning percentage of any team ever to have ping-pong balls in the cask…..10 teams have never had the number-one pick (Boston, Minnesota, Phoenix, Miami, Utah, Seattle, Indiana, Memphis, Charlotte, and Denver) but six of them are in the hunt this time around.

And finally, John Lucas is ready to hit the interview circuit for a coaching job in the NBA. He has said that he wanted to coach again and he may get a chance. Phoenix and Chicago have shown interest and while he is waiting, Lucas is still heavily involved in the Basketball Resource Center in Houston that carries his name. "Luke" recently completed a camp for eighth graders that was attended by three students from Toronto.