The Raptors just appeared to run out of gas in the 4th quarter as they were outscored 39-28 and it doomed them. The Raptors didn’t play any defense in this game as the Grizzlies shot 51.2% from the floor and they outrebounded the Dinosaurs 45-36 and that didn’t help the cause either. Chris Bosh was outstanding last night with 37 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots. Jose Calderon pitched in with 15 points and 3 assists. Hedo Turkoglu finished up with 14 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. The Raptors are now 1-1 on the season.

The Raptors took it to the Cavaliers tonight and they did it with solid defense holding the Cavs to 34.9% shooting from the floor. Andrea Bargnani could do no wrong tonight as he led the way for the Raptors tonight with 28 points and 5 rebounds in only 30 minutes on the court. Chris Bosh had a rough shooting night hitting only 6 of 17 shots from the floor but he still finished up with 21 points, 16 rebounds and 2 assists. Hedo Turkoglu was solid in his first game for the Raptors with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocked shots. The Raptors are a very impressive 1-0 on the season.

The Toronto Raptors have reloaded over the summer and they should be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference this year. The Raptors loaded up to make a run for the NBA Finals surrounding Chris Bosh with some excellent teammates. I like the Raptors to win around 50 games this season so I would take the over with the Raptors in 2009-2010.

I’m thinking that maybe Chris Bosh likes Jay Triano and that is the reason he will get to coach the Raptors this season. He was 25-40 (38.5%) as a interim coach last season for the Raptors. The Raptors expect to win and win big this season! If they don’t, then Triano won’t be coaching the team long. But if he does a good job this season he can probably buy a house in Toronto.

23-year old center Andrea Bargnani is not a typical center. He is not a good rebounder or defensive player. His game is offense and shooting as he nailed 40.9% of his three point attempts last season. He played in 78 games for the Raptors last season and he averaged 31.4 minutes, 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. His skills match up well with Chris Bosh’s as they form a almost perfect tandem. 33-year old Rasho Nesterovic will back up Bargnani this season. He played in 70 games for the Pacers last season and he averaged 17.3 minutes, 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He should do a solid job this season for the Raptors. 23-year old Pat O’Bryant will be the #3 center for the Raptors this season. He played in 39 games for the Raptors last season and he averaged 6.5 minutes, 2.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CENTERS IN 2009-2010: B