MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Chris Bosh.
He did go into a bit of a funk in the middle of the season -- mostly because he was bothered by a sore knee that eventually sent him to the sidelines for five games -- but he remains by far Toronto's best player. Bosh, just 25 and a four-time All-Star, came within a handful of rebounds of being one of the few players in the league to average 20 points and 10 rebounds a game and was also in the top five in free throws attempted and made per game. His contractual status -- he's a free agent in the coveted class of 2010 -- makes his future with the Raptors the subject of almost daily speculation, but it's difficult to imagine the team without him as its offensive anchor.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Jason Kapono.
What do you do with a three-point shooter who doesn't shoot three-pointers?
One of the top long-distance marksmen in the league, Kapono continues to be too passive in Toronto's offense. A significant free agent signee two years ago -- for a deal worth the full mid-level exception and a contract with two more years to run -- he's never fully become acclimated to the role which best suits him, as instant offense off the bench. And his failings are a prime reason Toronto's bench has been so weak all year.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Raptors have a handful of free agents to deal with in the summer and what they decide to do will have a huge impact on the kind of team that returns to training camp in the fall.
Shawn Marion is the most interesting case. The veteran small forward's contract, which pays him an astronomical $17 million this season, will most likely have to take a serious pay cut wherever he goes next year. And the Raptors may try to retain him at some sort of bargain-basement price since there aren't a lot of teams with major dollars to throw around.
Anthony Parker, coming off his statistically worst season as a Raptor, is an unrestricted free agent but it's highly doubtful he'll be given a starting role on the team next season. However, both he and general manager Bryan Colangelo are optimistic some new deal can be worked out.
Of the other free agents -- Joey Graham, Jake Voskuhl, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Carlos Delfino (whose restricted free agency rights the Raptors still hold since he played last season in Russia) -- it's likely that only one will be back with the team in October.
PLAYER NEWS:
--G Jose Calderon made his only two free throws in the season-ending 109-98 win over the Chicago Bulls and finished 152-for-155 on the season. The 98.1 percent shooting is the best single season in NBA history.
--C Andrea Bargnani established the kind of statistical oddity that may never be matched again in franchise history by anyone other than him. The 7-foot center, who possesses a unique skill set to say the least, led the Raptors in both three-point field goals (119) and blocked shots (97). It's the first time in Toronto history that unique double standard has been set.
--C Chris Bosh had 21 points and 19 rebounds in the season-ending win over Chicago, coming within one rebound of the third 20-20 game in his career. There have only been three such games ever put up by Toronto players. Bosh has two and Popeye Jones has the other.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Jose Calderon had surgery on his left ring finger to repair ligament damage. Calderon should be ready for next season.
--F Kris Humphries (broken fibula) has been cleared to begin working out fully.
--G Marcus Banks (toe) is still recovering from surgery but should be back on the practice court in mid-May.
