NBA players lead one of most competitive European championships in history

The Canadian Press: NBA players lead one of most competitive European championships in history
Toronto Raptors centre Andrea Bargnani has improved with each game for Italy, scoring 19 points against Poland

CBSSports.com take on the Raptors

Toronto Raptors, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh, National Basketball Association – CBSSports.com
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.

Paying premium to cover Raptors assets

TheStar.com – Sports – Paying premium to cover Raptors assets
Garbajosa’s role with the Raptors, even if he’s healthy, might not be as vital as it was last year, when he started 60 of the 67 games he played. The smart money says that Andrea Bargnani, the second-year 7-footer who is competing for Italy in the European championships – and had a team-high 16 points in yesterday’s loss to France – will be the starting centre. That means Chris Bosh, who’s currently resting his own worrisome injury – the nagging case of plantar fasciitis that plagued him last season and kept him off the U.S. squad for the just-concluded Olympic qualifier – will start at power forward. Garbajosa, if that’s the case, will almost certainly come off the bench.

TSN looks at the season ahead.

TSN : NBA-RAPTORS – Canada’s Sports Leader
no matter what, the key to this season is going to remain Bargnani and his ability to adjust to life against NBA starters. Bosh thrived in that position when he was thrust there at Bargnani’s age and eventually reversed the fate of the team, now it’s up to Bargnani to push that momentum even further forward for Canada’s lone franchise.