2011-2012 Finish: 50-16

Season Highlight
It was an huge year all round for the Raptors. They finished the regular season with a fantastic 50-16 record - only 1 game shy of the all conquering Cavs. They then progressed easily through the first 2 rounds of the playoffs before falling in the conference final. They were clearly the 2nd best team in the league - infact if Lebron had of gone down injured they'd probably be holding up a championship trophy. The other highlight was the emergence of Kevin Durant who is now arguably the most dominant player in the league.


Season Lowlight
There was only 1 lowlight - and that was being swept in the eastern conference finals by the Cavs. The Raptors were right up there at the top of the standings with the Cavs all season. There was only 1 game in it for the league's best record. the first two rounds of the playoffs were easy 4-1 series wins. But then the wheels fell off at the hads of Lebron and his Cavs. Such a promising season, but so quickly gone down the gurgled.


Best Trade
There were 2 season defining trades for the Raptors. One brought Jason Terry in to play the offensive punch role off the bench, sending away the redundant Jose Calderon. But probably the best trade that setup the Raptors season was one where they actually gave up the best (?) player in the deal, but what they got back did wonders for their team overall. The Raptors sent Andrew Bynum to Sacramento for Jason Richardson, Kendrick Perkins and a 2nd rounder. Why was giving up Bynum so good? Well they simply didn't need him and they brought in 2 players who would fit right into the roster. Richardson gave them a 3rd scorer and went on to be one of the Raptors key players. Perkins gave them the tough presence up front to do the dirty work while Bosh could do the fancy stuff up front. Bynum just wasn't necessary when you have Bosh.


Worst Trade
The Raptors generally don't do bad trades. They are a well managed team and have got to the place they are now via good decisions. The one trade that had people asking questions actually happened after the season had finished. The Raptors sent away their 1st rounder, to the home of all first rounders (I need not say who, you all know) for Brendan Haywood. Haywood isn't the player he used to be. Its not a terrible trade - Haywood can offer this team a bit of depth and he now has a nice salary, but its still arguable whether he was worth a 1st rounder, even though it will clearly be a late 1st.


Other Notable Trades
As previously mentioned, the Raptors acquired Jason Terry for Jose Calderon. With Ty Lawson emerging as a top PG, caldron was simply redundant. So getting Terry was firstly a great way to acquire a 6th man who can score plenty, something that has become important in the league, but also a nice way to dump Calderon's salary.
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Taj Gibson was also acquired for a couple of draft picks, the last 1st rounder and an early 2nd. Gibson got his share of minutes and proved to be a valuable bench big for the Raptors, even unseating Bosh from the starting lineup for a short time.


Best FA Signing
They signed a few bits n pieces, but nothing of real note. They didn't need to - they are already deep and just needed to fill out the roster.


Worst FA Signing
Again no one was bad - they were just depth.


Star
Kevin Durant - F - Durant has pretty much taken his rightful place as one of the league's real superstars. You would have to say the 2011-12 season was Lebron's for taking his Cavs all the way. But Durant is so close behind, that Lebron can probably feel him pressing against his backdoor. Durant was one of the league's best offensive players - he averaged 29.8 ppg shooting 53%. Not only that, he is not just just the type to hog the limelight on the back of his scoring, he plays great D, figuring in the league leaders in steals and blocks. He has some quality team mates, but this team is Kevin's.


Surprise
Marshon Brooks - G - Brooks was drafted 22nd by the Raptors. I don't think even they expected him to provide such a solid contribution in his rookie season. Before Jason Terry arrived, Brooks was the 6th man who gave the offensive lift off the bench. The Raptors will be hoping he can continue to improve and become a starter in years to come.


Goat
I really don't think they had one - really! Pretty much all their players have a purpose and the ones that don't do much don't because they don't need to. But if I have to pick one I'll go with Dexter Pittman. He was actually drafted by the Raptors as a late first rounder - traded to the Blazers - then acquired back from the Blazers. Clearly the Raptors love him, but he ain't done diddly.


Draft Report Card
With the 29th pick the Raptors took Jeffrey Taylor. Taylor is a solid pick at 29 who will definitely fill a role for the Raptors - he'll backup Durant at SF - not big shoes to fill at all if Mr Superstar goes down injured. The Raptors will just be hoping that Taylor only has to get garbage minutes and be solid on D. With their other pick, 58 overall, the Raptors signed some euro who will probably never step foot in the USA/Canada.


Looking to the Future
The future is bright! The Raptors have one of the best teams already - and they are also one of the deepest. They have quality players at all positions. They have a superstar (Durant). They have a star big as second option (Bosh). They have a quality 3rd scoring option (Richardson). They have a great emerging PG (Lawson). They have a tough rebounding defensive centre (Perkins). They have a guy who could be a gun 6th man (Brooks). And they have some other quality bench contributors (Gibson, Haywood, Haslem). All they really need to some depth in the backcourt, it is unknown if Terry will return. The only thing they don't have is a championship ring - but that might be one good season away.


Upcoming Free Agents
Their only important FA is Jason Terry. Terry may well be looking to get a gig elsewhere, but the Raptors and their strong management might be able to convince him to stay. They probably won't go all out to convince him - he is expendable for them and they are sitting fairly close to the luxury cap (resigning Terry would push them over).


And, "what happened to the cheerleader?" I hear you ask É