Many questioned the Raptors’ signing of 26-year old SG/PG Jarrett Jack last summer. But without him, they wouldn’t have any chance of making the playoffs this season. When starting point guard Jose Calderon hurt his back, Jack stepped right into the lineup and the Raptors didn’t miss a beat. Jack has played in 76 games (43 starts) for the Raptors this season and he is averaging 27.6 minutes, 11.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He is also shooting 41.1% from three point range this season which is solid. The Raptors are only 1 game ahead of the Bulls for the #8 spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs so they need to finish strong.

The Raptors have not needed Marcus Banks very much this season as they are loaded at the point. Banks has played in 19 games (0 starts) for the Raptors this season and he is averaging 12.3 minutes, 5.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He is also shooting 52.2% from the floor as he has really been selective with his shots this season. It’s good to know that the Raptors have Banks sitting near the end of the bench in case they need him to play.

Reserve power forward Amir Johnson has really played well for the Raptors this season. Johnson has played in 69 games (1 start) for the Raptors this season and he is averaging 17.2 minutes, 5.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He is shooting 59.9% from the floor this season as most of his shots are coming from close range. He could be a starter down the road for the Raptors if he keeps improving his game.

Power forward Reggie Evans missed the first half of the year due to injury. But he has really brought toughness, rebounding and defense off the bench for the Raptors lately. Evans has played in 11 games (0 starts) for the Raptors so far this season and he is averaging 12.5 minutes, 4.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Evans was voted by the players as the dirtiest player in the league and the Raptors need a guy like him as they are considered a pretty soft basketball team.

Toronto Raptors’ center Andrea Bargnani is having the best season of his four-year career and has been one of the Raptors most consistent scorers.  Bargnani is 7′0″ and 250-pounds, but he is far from a low-post, back to the basket type of guy.  Bargnani is the epitome of a big European player, as the Italian native has a great stroke and loves to shoot the three.  This season Bargnani is shooting 47% from the field (career-high) and 36% from three.  He  is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and blocks with averages of 17.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.0 assists.  Bargnani is turning out to be a very good player and worth the number one pick in the 2006 draft when many thought he may turn into another bust like Darko Milicic.  Each year his numbers have improved and he could turn out to be an All-Star in a few years.