Here Is The Forecast For The Final Five Raptors Games and The Post Season
By Walter DubowecWith five games remaining, Raptor fans are wondering what's ahead for the Raptors?
You asked the question and I've got the answer - "nothing, other than looking towards next year"!
Toronto has games remaining versus the Bucks, Nets, Pistons, Heat and Bulls. Best case scenario is they go 3-2 and finish the season at a mediocre 41-41.
But, don't count out a 2-3 record in the final week which leaves the team at 40-42, which is nothing short of pathetic. The team's nosedive is one that cannot be corrected by anyone at this point. Not by Sam Mitchell and not even by the players themselves.
Why is everyone surprised by the collapse?
Now many in the media are somehow shocked by the Raptors' nosedive. As recently as last month there were optimistic forecasts based on the Raptors easy April schedule, that the team could meet and possibly exceed last year's 47 win plateau.
I wasn't buying it then and now its been proven to have been delusional fantasy.
After a terrible January road loss to Philly, I remarked that the Raptors were "a mediocre squad" and that expectations for the remainder of the season needed to be downgraded big-time. Of course, the rose-colored glass wearers in the crowd pointed to a couple of favorable turns in the schedule which would get the team back on the right path. Chuck Swirsky even proclaimed that a third seed was a realistic possibility.
It was nothing more than wishful thinking. There was no chance this team would do anything other than stagger into the playoffs.
Last year, the Raptors caught the proverbial lightning in a bottle. They got on a bigtime roll in January and never looked back. If not for some early series jitters against the Nets, the Raps could have easily moved on to the second round of the 2007 playoffs.
That was last year. This season is a completely different story. While the team looks slightly better on paper, the chemistry is simply not there.
All they need is a mini winning streak
'No", I don't buy the theory that the Raptors can recapture playoff momentum if they can close out on a 5-0 or even a 4-1 run. Its not happening.
All season, this team has shown signs that were very worrisome. After 77 games, these problems are not a mirage that will miraculously disappear.
Back in December, after the Raptors blew a 7 point 4th quarter lead to Portland, Chris Bosh complained that the Raps were "not playing to win, but playing not to lose". That 'loser's' mentality has dogged this club for months and its only got worse - not better over time.
The Raptors will not suddenly become a dominant defensive force. Mental toughness will not engulf the team.They will not remarkably gain the ability to close out tight games. The holes in their perimeter defence will not miraculously be plugged. Andrea will not start putting up consistent 20/10 nights through to the playoffs. Kapono won't start hitting 3 or 4 treys a game. Hell, he won't get more than that through to the end of the season - if he's lucky!
No. None of those things will suddenly start happening in the final five games. The die has been cast. This squad is who they are, which is not very good.
Sadly, the limp towards the play-offs will continue and regardless of who the Raptors face in the post season - expect Toronto to be ousted in six games or less.
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