I think you would agree that tonight’s Raptors game against the Bulls is about as pointless as Primoz Brezec’s high socks. Instead of digging into that game it is time to get a jump on the first round series between the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic. I am heading to the Big Smoke on Friday so I need to get all of this analysis up before I jet.

By the way for all the Raptors fans in Toronto I am calling you out Chris Bosh style. I am hoping to feel a buzz when I step off the plane, when I travel on the subway and of course when I head down to the ACC to buy some gear. I want to smell the excitement in the air just like the Cinnabons at Eglinton Station.

Clearly based on how the season has ended the Raptors are not favoured by any means heading into the postseason. The way they played against the Pistons bench on Sunday and the highschool Heat on Monday it would be shocking if the Raps take a game if they don’t step it up. Everything is going against them it seems. But as the cliche says, it is whole new ball game now the playoffs are here. Yep I am sticking to that.

Will the Magic show the nerves of a fairly young team like the Raptors did last year or can they do what is expected and move on to the second round. Stan Van Gundy is a very good coach and should have his team ready for anything. I know some of them were in the playoffs last year but does a sweep by the Pistons really count?

The Raptors were in a war with the Nets and I can still remember that Calderon pass that almost reached Bosh to force a Game 7 at the ACC like it was yesterday.

The one distinct advantage the Magic have of course is the monster in the middle, Dwight Howard. He is unreal and as we saw at All-Star weekend, he loves the spotlight and the NBA playoffs is about as big as it gets. As much as I don’t want it to happen it could very well be Howards coming out party.

Toronto’s man of men is Chris Bosh and he will literally have to carry the boys on his YouTube covered shoulders if the Raps have any chance at all. Calerdon may be the engine but Bosh is the heart and soul.

Cheerleader break.

Back to it.

The series starts on Sunday which is sad because I will probably already be on a plane back to Halifax. It would of been nice to watch the game in the city that bleeds dino. Oh well at least I booked WestJet so I can watch the Raps on the plane. Hope the person next to me does not mind the yelling and hitting of the back of the chair. If it is close and the flight is over I will have to figure out a way for the plane to keep circling the airport so I can see the end. Any suggestions people?

I certainly don’t have the brewing excitement that I did last year but if the Raps can take the first game I am almost certain I will be bordering on painting my face for Game 2. The scene for Game 3 at the ACC is going to be amazing. I still get chills when I see footage of last year’s playoffs. The sea of red, the chant of Lets Go Raptors……simply the best. Too bad Swirsky will be there. Did anyone see this wicked chart showing homerism?

So what is my gut feeling for this series? Well I am going to try and overlook the last few weeks and look at the series as a fresh start.

Even though Orlando is a well coached team and is having a great year I still think they are vulnerable. Youth usually goes one of two ways in the playoffs. Some teams take on the don’t know any better approach and just keep winning. Most teams show their lack of experience and find it tough getting out of the first round. It is all about the first game. If the Raps can get into Orlando’s head that they are inexperienced and too young to win it could snowball. Then again the Raps are not exactly seasoned vets. I know Leo will try to sell us on all the Euro Championship stuff but really are the Raps any more ready for the stress level to rise than last year?

I think going through what they did last year will have a great influence on this year. They know what to expect now and I can only pray to God they are ready for it. They will not take anything for granted and try to catch Orlando enjoying the moment of a 50 win season a little too much. This is where Stan Van comes in. He has been through this before with the Heat and will be great for the guys who are new to this.

Rememeber Hedo Turkalo and Rashard Lewis have been in the playoffs before and have been in very big games.

It is all about wanting it more and bringing effort for 48 minutes. Hell I think you need to bring that effort for warm ups. This is the the end of the season, almost Final Four-ish. There is no tomorrow if you lose. The way BC can clean out a team who knows how many of these guys will be back next season. Maybe the regular season was a bit of a letdown but you know what can make us all forget? Win a playoff series and I can bet even The Arsenalist can forgive you for some of those stinkers this year.

Now for where Toronto should be the better team, yes should.

The Raptors have the advantage at the PG spot regardless of who starts and who comes off the bench. I think the series will be decided by how good or bad Ford and Calderon run the show. Will it be good T.J. or crazy T.J.? Will we see a Calderon like last season’s playoffs? Taking care of the ball and maximizing possessions will go along way to deciding who wins. It is easily one of the top stats to keep an eye on. I think the Raps can own this number and can rattle Jameer Nelson and the Magic guards.

Where Orlando has the big advantage is with Turkalo and Lewis. The Raptors are horrible at closing out on three point shooters and if it does not improve I can see a lot of wide open bombs for the likes of Lewis and Hedo. Add Keith Bogans to the list as well since it is always the role players that tend to light up the Raps.

D-12 is amazing and unstoppable if he is included in the offense then he will do some damage. But this year in a few of the games against the Raps, Orlando kind of forgot about the big guy. He is going to get 25-14 just by lacing up the sneakers. The key for Toronto is stopping it from going to 35-20. Keeping him off the offensive glass will be key to keeping him from having the giant numbers. Box out guys!

Rasho will do a decent job on Howard and ideally keep him a little out of his comfort zone. The struggle will be if Hump or Bargnani have to cover Dwight.

The Raptors bench really needs to become the advantage that people have been saying they are. Orlando is not that deep but they all hustle and play hard. Calderon should have his way against the second unit PG.

If Bargnani and Kapono catch fire and stop being useless it could really turn the tide. Everyone has been saying that Kapono will pay off in the postseason with his clutch shooting. Well it is time my friend. Shoot it or sit down. None of this avoiding shooting triples to keep your percentage high.

Carlos Delfino can also be a factor if he just brings the fight and effort that we know he can. None of these long threes that seem to only go in every six or seven games. Work inside out and get the long bombing done that way. I know the shots have not been dropping lately but they are still the best shooting team in the league and if they do catch fire it can push them to a few wins. Jump shooting teams live and die by the shot and I don’t think they can get four wins like that.

I would like to see the return of the Hump. I have no idea why he has not been playing. Say what you want about his shot selection he tries his ass off and gives the Raps something they don’t have much of. Garbage man work. He boards well and gives his all when on the floor. If Bargnani is not making shots or blocking shots like he is playing the Heat, I say throw hump in there like a hockey coach would throw the tough guy on the ice. Could have a momentum change at least.

The things the Raptors have to avoid are endless. It will be hard to get out of bad habits this late in the year but one can hope.

Jamario, Jamario, where art thou Jamario?

Moon has to move more whether he is in the play or not. No more of this standing still on the weak side watching the play happen. The guy is a freak athlete and if simply moved more he would get so many more hoops. He tends to settle for the easy jumper or sits and waits for a chance to catch a lob.

I can’t remember a player that I cringe more for when he takes a jumper. Yes some go in but I always expect them to clang off the rim.

Finally in the end it all comes down to Bosh. Pretty simple but it is true. He has had some of his best games against Orlando. They don’t have anyone to slow him down unless they use D-12 and Orlando does not want to do that. Hopefully Stan Van does not watch New Jersey Nets tapes because they figured out how to slow down and annoy Bosh last year. This is Bosh’s time to shine and step up and put Toronto back on the map.

If Bosh has an All-Star series, the Raps PGs run a good offense with few turnovers and one of either Bargnani, Delfino or Kapono get hot Toronto will be in most games with a chance to take the series. It will be the defense that will decide the outcome. If the Raps allow too many open threes and fail to take care of their backboard the series could be over fast. It is the same thing we have been saying and reading all year.

Will the Raps shock us all and pull off the upset? I want to say yes but to be honest I am going to pick the Magic to win in 6 games. It hurts me to say it but I have to be realistic. The team needs a lot of work done in the offseason and all I am asking for is some exciting games and to not get embarrassed. Stranger things have happened but for some reason I don’t see the drama of the NBA playoffs coming to the city of Toronto this year.

Lets go Raptors, prove me wrong, I won’t mind at all.

Coming later this week, predictions from Raptors Nation.

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