Raptors hard-pressed without Calderon
There are those who will tell you that, viewing Ford's ouster in hindsight, the Raptors picked the wrong point guard. Ford, one of the league's best up-tempo pushers and a hard-to-stop penetrator, is doing some excellent work for the Pacers, who were 4-3 heading into last night's game against the Sixers. And Calderon's early reluctance to turn the corner with aggression, highlighted in Toronto's disappointing loss in Boston on Monday, is certainly a concern on a club that lacks slashing wing players to do such work in the lane.
The argument is tricky for a lot of reasons; Ford, in addition to having a congenital narrowing of the spine that makes him particularly sensitive to career-threatening injury, alienated everyone from management to his old friend Bosh last season. Calderon is shooting at a lower percentage this season (which perhaps speaks to fatigue) and he is turning the ball over more all told, albeit in heavier minutes. But with less than 10 per cent of the season gone, perhaps he simply needs time to learn the tricks of the prime-time trade.
Toronto Sun
Calderon may not miss a beat
"Most of the final decision will be mine," Calderon said of playing tomorrow. "It hasn't been 48 hours yet since the injury. Let's see how I feel when I wake up that day. I think I'll be better. Everyone reacts to injuries differently."
Lineup changes loom
Among the possibilities is resting small forward Jamario Moon in favour of Jason Kapono or Joey Graham or ressurecting the idea of seven-foot Andrea Bargnani at that position and hoping that his offensive production will make up for any lapses on the defensive side of the floor.
Globe & Mail
Raptors in a quandary, to a point
Team star Chris Bosh, who said he is convinced Calderon will play, was asked if he believes the Raptors can win without the Spaniard in the lineup, given the inexperience of both Solomon and Ukic.
"I don't know, that's asking a lot," said Bosh, agreeing it's a tough spot to have to come into.
"A very tough position, especially at point guard," Bosh said. "You take away any team's starting point guard it's going to be a little tougher on them.
National Post
Raptors backup guards on hot seat
Solomon would likely start if Calderon cannot play, although Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said Friday that he had not made that decision.
"I think they've improved a whole lot," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said of the backups.
"Again, what I see and what other people see is probably different. But we see the things that we're working on every day.
"You're talking about the most difficult and demanding position on the court. So it takes time."
FoxSports
Jawai marooned on sidelines
Jawai has had two visits to an American cardiac specialist for further testing and while signs have been fairly positive, he won't know his immediate future until after a further meeting with Raptors medical personnel this weekend.
Depending on this latest report, Jawai could be back in training by as early as Sunday or face a further six weeks on the sidelines.
