RAPTORS: SANS JOSE & T.J., THERE IS NO WAY, BUT WE'RE IN A GOLDEN STATE

The safe assumption that will keep us from getting our hearts broken is that neither José Calderón or T.J. Ford will be able to go for the Raptors in a do-or-die Game 6 vs. the Nets at the house of horrors that is the Cont.

Until either José (pictured) or T.J. appears on the court tonight in Jersey -- where the Raptors have yet to make a decent accounting of themselves this season -- that's the attitude. The practical reality is that this season has already been a great success. The Raptors might be winning more converts south of the border than in Canada (outside Southern Ontario, at least) with their style of play, but there is new blood coarsing through the veins of a franchise that had been flatlining after you-know-who stuck a knife in its back.

The true Raptors fans might get a bit a squirrelly at times, but never lost hope of getting a winner. Bryan Colangelo will have some salary-cap room this summer to add a scoring small forward (likely from Europe) as an upgrade on Mo Peterson. Jorge Garbajosa will hopefully be healthy again and Luke Jackson might be able to contribute after being picked up late in the season. What about Sam Mitchell continuing as head coach? Don't ask.

Besides, the way Don Nelson's Golden State Warriors just manhandled the Dallas Mavericks in that first-round upset everyone is talking about down in the U.S. today (see Deadspin) is more proof the Raptors are prepared for where the NBA is headed. There's not really much more I can add about the Warriors' win, but it showcased how much the style of play has improved in the NBA over the past few years. The Warriors' crew of good all-around players -- Matt Barnes, Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson -- took away the time and space Dallas needed to run clearouts and isolations for one star scorer, Dirk Nowitzki, and used all five players on the court to create open shots on offence. That's a much better brand of hoops than walking it up and running screens for Kobe Bryant 40 times a night. (Someone else noted the Warriors' win probably would not have been possible if the NBA hadn't legalized zone defence a few years ago.)

That kind of game, based on quickness and good defence, is what the Raptors played when they peaked in February. So the future is bright, even if they lose by 40 points tonight.

Related:
Calderón could be back on point for Raptors (Canada.com)
Injury report on Ford takes another twist (Toronto Star)

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.