By Andy Charles

Not long left now for the start of preseason at the ACC and things are going to look very different for the Toronto Raptors after a summer of wheeling and dealing, some successful and some perhaps not so.

But although the big splash came with the signing of free agent Hedo Turkoglu to a big contract, it is still going to be the big three from last season who are going to be counted on if the Raps are to make the post-season.

Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani are still in town and can be relied upon for starters numbers, but what happens at the other starting spot, assuming Hedo plays the three, as seems likely.

Well, it appears coach Jay Triano is set to hand the two hole to rookie Demar DeRozan, but is the rookie out of USC really ready to be an NBA defensive standout – it’s something he will have to be alongside pass-happy Calderon and Turkoglu, who has never really been known for his stout defensive work.

The 20-year-old is a physical specimen for sure, but there are plenty of those doing the rounds in the Developmental League after coming into the pro’s with big reputations in college.

But it is probably an experiment worth trying – he’s not going to be asked for a huge offensive contribution so should be able to concentrate on defense as long as he is playing with the first-team.

The real test could come when his more-illustrious colleagues are sitting on the bench and he has to defend and be a first or second option going down court as well.

However Triano knows he has some reliable options to come off the bench, and start if DeRozan flames, and Jarrett Jack will back him up with some three-point shooting – something DeRozan lacks in his arsenal.

Antoine Wright can also be of use and there are a couple of wildcards going into camp who could be very useful as 11th or 12th men on the bench – mainly Marco Belinelli who is a real sharp-shooter who needs to be on a team like Toronto more than he needed to be on Nellie’s Roundabout at Golden State.

NBA betting expects plenty of points to be scored in Toronto this coming season – just don’t complain if the defense is a little lacking!!

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