Another disappointing season ends for Toronto Raptors, but there may be hope

Different season, same outcome for the Toronto Raptors.

Another playoff-less season wound to a close on Wednesday, completing the fifth consecutive year that the team did not qualify for the postseason. The result is a 34-48 record for the 2012-2013 season.

The Raptors finished their season by beating the Boston Celtics on an emotional night at the Air Canada Centre. They welcomed the heavy-hearted visitors on a night which was overshadowed by the bombings that took place on Monday during the Boston marathon.

The victory typified the Raptors season in many ways. After a slow start to the season (5-19), they looked like a bunch of new players on the same under-performing team. This was supposed to be a breakthrough year for the Raptors, a fresh start. They were supposed to make a serious push for the eighth seed in the East, and bring playoff basketball back to Toronto.

Instead, the defensive deficiencies that haunted the Raps last season got worse, something that head coach Dwayne Casey was brought here to fix. As for Casey, rumours are swirling that he might be on his way out. That could make Monday’s press conference, where he and general manager Bryan Colangelo are to address the media, all the more interesting.

At the end of January, however, new hope was injected into Raptors fans, as Colangelo orchestrated a trade to bring in Rudy Gay for Ed Davis, Jose Calderon and a second-round pick this season. The Grizzlies sent Calderon to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye. Colangelo indicated that the trade for Gay was to bring a possible future superstar to Toronto, which will in turn help entice free agents to sign with the team. Others argue that it was a bold move to help save his job.

Calderon, who was playing well for large parts of the season, was a firm fan favourite at the Air Canada Centre. He played 525 games, just 17 behind the franchise record held by Morris Peterson. He finished his Raptors career with 3,770 assists, well ahead of Alvin Williams who is second on the career list. Armed with an expiring contract, it was no secret that Colangelo had been trying to offload Calderon. But leaving was still hard for Jose.

“It’s been my home for eight years,” Calderon told the Associated Press in Atlanta, speaking of Toronto. “I’ve done everything possible for this team. It’s tough. The fans have been with me since day one. It’s tough.”

There was a marked improvement for the Raptors, post Gay trade, and one could make the argument that, had they had this roster from October, then the season could have been a different story. But now everybody will be wondering: what's next for the Raptors?

The enigma that is Andrea Bargnani (seems an eternity ago when he was the first pick in the NBA draft) had an injury ravaged season, adding more fuel to the “he’ll never live up to that pick” fire. Especially when you consider the kind of players that Toronto could have picked in that (albeit weak) draft in 2006. Names like LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo and Brandon Roy spring to mind. But another unfulfilling season has ended, and it looks like his days as a Raptor may finally be over.

Going into the off-season, Raptors do not have a pick in this year’s draft. This might be further indication that they are less concerned with rebuilding, and will be aiming higher next season. With Gay, DeRozan and Lowry all potentially in the starting lineup, the Raptors have a lot of players whose primary function is to score, with little to minimal value elsewhere. Add a little defensive grit and consistency, and the future does not look too bleak.

With the the Leafs on the verge of the playoffs, and the Blue Jays acquiring an All-Star lineup, the Raptors will look to step up their efforts at the ACC next season. They may just be a couple of smart off-season moves away from being a playoff team, but a long way from being contenders.