By Alex of NBAtipoff

The Toronto Raptors have changed their squad quite a bit this off-season. In are Jermaine O’Neal (other players from deals), and Will Solomon, a guy who was playing overseas. Sure these moves sound good, but how good are the Raptors?

I don’t think they’re anywhere near a title, but I like this shakeup. O’Neal has the potential to make the Raptors front line really strong (playing alongside Chris Bosh). I think he, of course, has to healthy and he needs to show that he has something to prove. His stock has been hurt over the last couple of seasons because of injury and the fact that his team was spiraling out of control. He needs to come into training camp with Kobe-like competitiveness. That will send a message to the guys that, “hey, we aren’t as bad as the Canadian national team!”

Andrea Bargnani needs to be tough, intimidating and as aggressive as possible. He showed last season that he can be a slasher, but he needs to develop post moves and be a better backup. Some of that pressure that he might have felt last season will be off because of the O’Neal addition. When you looked at the old front line, you’d think, “can’t they do better than Rasho Nesterovic?” Well now they have. With O’Neal (a major upgrade), you think less about the #1 pick that hasn’t lived up to his potential. I think that suits Andrea well.

I am also going to expect more from Jose Calderon and Anthony Parker. Calderon can easily improve, seeing as T.J. Ford is out of the picture and he will take over the starting spot. Parker just needs to be more consistent, he can get hot from the perimeter, but he needs consistency from beyond the arc. If Parker and Calderon can show solid improvement, this team can be a lot better.

This is a team that needs to rebound from a 41-41 season. Hopefully a lineup that includes Jose Calderon, Anthony Parker, Bosh and O’Neal can live up to what should be a 45+ win team in the East.