[ThePundit]

Scott of RaptorBlog.com doesn't think so. But he loves their future:

What we saw on Saturday - and what we'll probably see again on Tuesday in Chicago - is that the Raptors are not quite ready to take on the elite teams in the East. Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago are the teams I would currently rank ahead of Toronto, and Miami will join that group once Shaq gets into "playoff shape". What this means is that it doesn't look good for the Raptors to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

Assuming the Raptors do clinch the Atlantic division and earn the fourth seed, the only team I would want to see in that fifth spot is Washington. Despite their record, the Wizards don't scare me and I'm not convinced Gilbert Arenas is a guy who can lead a winning playoff team.

I maintain that the only team in the East with a future as bright as the Raptors is the Chicago Bulls. The so-called "treadmill teams" are Cleveland and Washington - good enough to compete but probably not good enough to win the Conference in the next few seasons. And Detroit probably has a couple of good seasons left before it's time to rebuild.

It says here that the Raptors are on the path to being a top two team in the East by 2008-09. What they do with that position mostly depends on who's coaching them at that time. But still, I can see a light - and for once, it's not a train.

RaptorBlog.com featuring Scott Carefoot - the best Toronto Raptors fan site since 2002
I agree with his assessment. What about everybody else?

[ThePundit]

The Raptors beat the Bulls last night. So are they for real?

[raptorcox]

I am just estatic that they are keeping ahead of the weak Atlantic. If they can capitalize on Kidd/NJ.. they should at least coast into a Top 6 seed.

[raptorcox]

I missed the All-Star game.. Did Bosh have any good plays?