Andrea Bargnani

I have hoops starting to run through my veins and this article I just read over at cbssportsline.com has me more excited than ever. The American media is finally starting to see that the NBA will have a new predator walking the courts this year and it will be coming from north of the border.

Celts made splash, but don’t forget team north of border

“Toronto is the favorite,” Kidd said of last season’s Atlantic winner. “Everybody forgets about them. If they can stay healthy, they’ll be right there.”

I must confess, I’ve forgotten about the Raptors once already. Annoyed T.O. fans angrily wrote in to point out that during an Eastern Conference finals column writing off the Pistons, I’d omitted their 47-win team as one of the squads on the rise.

My apologies, Canada.

You’re absolutely right about being slighted, picked on and cast aside. In this case, the chip on your shoulder is merited. In fact, those who choose to feed the inferiority complex fix might opt to believe the savvy Kidd was just giving Toronto its just due simply to avoid fanning the likely rivalry with the Celtics.

Whatever the reason for his answer, expect it to be among the minority. The Raptors are still the youngest team among the Eastern Conference’s true contenders, taking that baton from the not-so-baby Bulls.

Franchise player Chris Bosh is only 23 years-old, point guards T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon are still learning the intricacies of running a team at this level, and veteran leader Morris Peterson landed in New Orleans in the offseason, ending the association with the only franchise he had ever known.

While the Raptors look for where their leadership is going to come from, the Nets know they will be getting theirs from Kidd and Boston has no shortage of veterans to steer the ship. Then again, every team dynamic is different, so that shouldn’t be a reason to write off the Raptors.

(Full story)

According to the Toronto Star, 98 percent of season ticket-holders have renewed this offseason, which ranks tops in the NBA. The team is steadily approaching the number of total season ticket sales enjoyed at the height of the hoops craze up north, back when Carter soared through the air without scorn.

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