By RaptorTalk:

The upcoming Raptors season is the most difficult in team history to predict. We simply don't know how this team will perform. There are so many unknowns.

The latest edition of the Raptors could set a franchise record for wins. Or they could fail to make the playoffs.

       

Here are the Top Ten 'IF's' that need to happen for the 2008-09 Toronto Raptors to make a serious run this season.

1. IF Jermaine O'Neal's play returns to all-star levels

2. IF Chris Bosh stays healthy and plays like CB4 always does

3. IF Andrea Bargnani can emerge and become a legit, consistent NBA big man

4. IF Jose Calderon can perform at a high level as a starter for 82 games

5. IF Jason Kapono can flourish as a dead eye perimeter threat with CB and JO attracting inside attention

6. IF Roko Ukic and Will Solomon can provide meaningful minutes behind Jose Calderon

7. IF Jamario Moon can bring his game up a notch and improve on last year's performance

8. IF Anthony Parker can rebound from a season where his play seemed to decline from year one

9. IF Hassan Adams can deliver as a lockdown perimeter defender

10. IF Nathan Jawai can provide decent minutes as a solid, traditional NBA center


IF all these scenarios become reality, the Toronto Raptors will be serious Eastern Conference contenders and not just pretenders like they were last season.