The enigma for the Raptors has always been Andrea Bargnani, the third-year center/power forward, he of the impressive rookie season and the regressive second campaign.
He is up to his old tricks again, going scoreless in a desultory opening game but breaking out with 19 points and three key blocked shots in a second-night overtime win. The 7-footer, who possesses small forward shooting skills, is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle in Toronto this year. A thin Raptors team needs him to provide scoring off the bench and at least a modicum of rebounding if it is going to do anything this season. His teammates see improvement.
"He's posting guys up now, and people are starting to switch pick and rolls with him now," Chris Bosh said. "He's making people pay now."
But will he always? The knock on Bargnani has always been his inconsistency, his penchant for disappearing for a week after playing a couple of solid games. The Raptors can't afford to have him be like that this season.
RAPTORS 91, BUCKS 87: Jose Calderon scored a career-high 25 points, including a huge 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, and Toronto won its third straight. Chris Bosh had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Jamario Moon added 15 points, a season high. Calderon, who had 13 assists in Friday's overtime win over Golden State, sealed Toronto's victory with a 3-pointer with 21 seconds left in the game, giving the Raptors a two-point lead.
