Season Preview

As we all know, the coming season is one of many changes and expectations. With new faces and some addition-by-subtraction, the Raptors are looking to rebound from a somewhat disappointing season.
I thought I would open with some outside previews from various sites.
NBADraft.net: State of the Cap: Toronto Raptors
RealGM.com: Raptorland's New Carnivore
ESPN.com: Hollinger's Team Forecast

And our own little preview:

Additions:

Jamal Sampson
Big, strong forward/centre. Signed in light of Jawai missing some length of time for training camp. Owns career averages of 2.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 5 NBA seasons. Projects to be on the Inactive List more often than not, barring injuries to the Raptors' frontcourt (knock on wood).
Worst-case scenario: Racks up DNP-CDs, waived.
Best-case scenario: Uses his big frame to control opposing centres and hits the glass hard in eight to ten minutes per game.

Hassan Adams
Undersized two-guard noted for athleticism, lack of a jump shot, and inability to "put it all together." Still fairly young and will be given another shot as the Raptors' starters at the 2-guard and small forward are still up in the air.
Worst-case scenario: Keeps the bench nice and warm for Anthony Parker.
Best-case scenario: Uses his athleticism to defend opposing combo guards and make them work a little on the other end; challenges Jamario Moon for best dunker on the team.

Will Solomon
Backup guard brought over after playing in Turkey and Israel last year. Was a scrub before leaving the NBA for Europe. A veteran of international play; likely won't amaze anyone but probably won't make a fool of himself either.
Worst-case scenario: Is another Darrick Martin, a savvy veteran with limited skills.
Best-case scenario: Another example of the Raptors' excellent overseas scouting, comes in as a smart leader and gets his minutes, a la Parker two years ago.

Nathan Jawai
Bruising young big man from Australia; the Pacers' 2008 second-round pick. Arrived via trade, alongside Jermaine O'Neal. Was a predicted first-rounder who fell on draft day to the 41st overall pick. Has a recently discovered heart condition and may miss all of training camp.
Worst-case scenario: The heart condition leads to Jawai missing much of the season.
Best-case scenario: His heart is okay, and he becomes another bench hustle and strength big man, similar to Kris Humphries.

Roko Leni Ukić
Relatively young, big (6' 5") point guard from Croatia. Comes over after spending playing professionally in Europe for eight years, and was drafted by the Raptors in 2005. Played for TAU Ceramica Vitoria two years ago, Jose Calderon's former team, followed by FC Barcelona last season. He's a very talented, highly touted prospect who will likely be one of our first guards off the bench.
Worst-case scenario: His slender build (185 lbs.) leaves him unable to physically match up with the stronger point guards in the NBA, and he struggles in his first season.
Best-case scenario: His natural talents and size lead him to become an impact player, having a similar season to Calderon's rookie year.

Jermaine O'Neal
Unless you've been living under a rock, this is the one acquisition you should be talking about. He's a six-time All-Star who was a frequent mention in MVP discussions just a few years ago (even if it seems like ages). Injuries have derailed his game to an extent, averaging just 51.5 games played in his last four years. However, there's no doubting his talent: From 2001-2007, his lowest season averages were 19.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He will be our starting centre if he can stay healthy.
Worst-case scenario: Just like every year he says his body feels great, it falls apart. He appears in around 50 games and averages 13 points, 6 rebounds, and a block. Raptors fans look forward to the 2010 offseason, when his $22 million contract expires.
Best-case scenario: He is healthy again. He plays 75 games, averages 21 points on 50% shooting, 10 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks, while leading us, alongside Chris Bosh, deep into the playoffs.

Losses:

Maceo Baston, Primoz Brezec, Linton Johnson, Darrick Martin
All little-used players last season. Their departures will likely have a small effect on the Raptors' fortunes. Baston and Brezec have been replaced with Jawai and Sampson; Johnson with Adams, and Martin with Solomon.

Juan Dixon
Third-string combo guard who seemed to never be able to find his place last year. His spot will likely be filled by Solomon this season.

Carlos Delfino
Inconsistent swingman who could defend. Ultimately just clogged up the Raptors' rotation and is now playing with Khimki BC of the Russian League.

Jorge Garbajosa
The Raptors' former starting small forward, his injury in international play last year caused turmoil with the Raptors front office. His departure will allow Andrea Bargnani more opportunity to play at the 3-spot.

Rasho Nesterovic
Fans of teams Rasho has played for always sing his praises, but last year his stock continued to rise, as fundamentally sound, NBA-quality centres become even more difficult to come by. Last year, while shooting 55% from the field, he averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds, yet for a stretch of about 15 games, Rasho was the best player on the floor, and his basketball IQ is unmistakable. Could end up being the Raptors' most important player loss.

T.J. Ford
The Raptors' starting/backup/starting point guard last year, his attitude and high stock seemed to make it inevitable that either he, or Calderon, would be saying goodbye to Toronto. In the end, his departure pencils in Calderon as the everyday starter, and suddenly the team with the best point guard duo in the league is in the same boat as pretty much every other franchise.


Overall:

Bryan Colangelo has called this team the best Raptors team ever assembled, and with this talent level, it's tough to disagree. This season, a large part of the Raptors' hopes rest on some broad shoulders, those of Jermaine O'Neal. If he can stay healthy, the Raptors could very well claim a top-4 seed and pass the first round of the playoffs.