Everyone connected with the Raptors will now begin the painful process of self-evaluation, secure in the knowledge that no matter what they said or thought, it was proved quite conclusively they are not now as good as the Orlando Magic, let alone the top echelon of NBA teams.
Losing the best-of-seven series in five games will be a bitter pill for management, coach Sam Mitchell and the players to swallow. Losing in the manner they did will be even more difficult to accept. It is the failing of the Raptors' roster that they lack that player for crunch time -- or that none emerged over the course of the season.
After clawing back from down seven to within 84-82, the Raptors went four straight possessions without scoring a point, and Orlando's 8-0 run with about four minutes left effectively ended the season.
"If we have somebody that is aggressive on the offensive end, creating plays, making shots and getting to the basket ... I think we have some shooters, but if our shooters develop a talent where they can take guys off the dribble, that'll make us a lot better," said Chris Bosh.
