At a press conference at 2PM today, coach of the year Sam Mitchell and Executive of the year, Bryan Colangelo have agreed on a new contract for the Smitch (Sam Mitchell). The deal was four years, but financial terms were not officially announced; although rumors say he will be in about the middle of NBA coaches salaries.

I think Sam did a great job, he brought players from different cultural backgrounds together (fitting that Canada is considered a cultural mosaic, eh?) Example: Bargnani – Italy, Garbajosa and Calderon – Spain, Uros Slokar and Rasho Nesterovic – Slovenia, Parker just played fro Maccabi Tel Avi for a few years. With language barriers to overcome, its hard to believe he tied a record for a franchise high in wins.

 Going into the year, I was skeptical of where he would be at the end of the year; and even if he was a good fit. The Smitch did a great job and more so then the past, am proud to be a Raptors fan.

 But In my opinion the question will be, can Mitchell develop his X’s and O’s? He just finished his third year coaching, I think that is what he has to work on. But I believe that he will improve that, too this off-season.

In other news the draft lottery is tonight, I hope Atlanta gets second pick, so a certain SF comes available.

Two years ago, with the 41st pick, Toronto drafted Roko Leni Ukic. Later that off-season Rob Babcock signed Jose Calderon. So by the looks of it Toronto would have three starting potential point guards. Jose Calderon, Rafer Alston (Although it seems like ages ago, he got traded on media day), and Roko Ukic. Although preliminary reports had Roko Ukic coming to Toronto to play for the Raptors.
But it he ended up signing, Winterthur FCB, the only way the Raptors could acquire him would be through a buy-out. But that may be plausible this year. With Jose Calderon likely to be moved because of his high value contract, and just had a great season. The Raptors’ priority should be signing an athletic, consistent, rebounding, defending Small Forward.

Roko Ukic could be brought in as a back-up point guard for either TJ Ford or Jose Calderon (more likely the second) he has great ball handling skills and would be a great overall back up point guard.

If he could be brought in that would make Bryan Colangelo’s life A LOT easier. So they wouldn’t need a player back; and could get more for less.

Has Toronto ever really had two all-stars? I know Antonio Davis and Vince Carter played together, but that was once Davis made the all-star team. But with Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani, this could possibly be one of the best big man duos in the NBA.

Early in the season Andrea Bargnani was struggling, admittedly. But at the end of Toronto’s first real road trip, Bargnani started coming out of his shell. And through the year, he has progressed a lot. Bryan Colangelo probably did not pick him thinking he would win rookie of the year, but he probably DID think he would be the best rookie in five years.

In the playoffs Bargnani displayed why he deserved to be a number one pick. He was scoring in every form, played good defense (that will improve a she becomes more familiar with the NBA). He really did lift the Raptors a lot and in many games would be my Raptors MVP.

This kid will be amazing.

Folks, it will be a long summer for this Raptor fan. Seeing his favorite team lose at the hands of former franchise player Vince Carter in the last few seconds of play buy just literally a few inches. If Jose Calderon had thrown that lob pass only a couple inches higher, it would be out of the reach of Richard Jefferson. The seven game series would have gone back to a rowdy Air Canada Center.

But what happens, happens. The Raptors lost, and there is no doubt that it left a bitter feeling in most fans’ mouth. The season was a success. Many steps forward have been made. An Atlantic division championship, Sam Mitchell winning coach of the year, franchise tying wins total; just to name a few.

If this off-season even barely resembles the last, the Raptors will be a force. And with Bryan Colangelo at the helm that is more likely then not. The real question is, what will he do? Trade Jose Calderon? TJ Ford? Sign and trade Mo-Pete? Who knows, he is very unpredictable to say the least. That, to me, is what will make the off-season fell so long: suspense.

If you don’t particularly follow the Raptors, i’ll quickly go over some of the team needs: a solid defending, good rebounding, athletic small forward. Josh Childress and Andreas Nocioni could fill those roles well. But Childress won’t be a free agent and Nocioni will be a restricted free agent. Jose Calderon or TJ Ford, could be traded, both are solid point guards and are in demand. Calderon would be more likely to go because of TJ Ford’s relationship with Chris Bosh.

For me, it would be sad to see any of the players from this years team leave. But what has to be done, has to be done.

But, this Raptor fan can’t wait for November next year.