A season after setting numerous franchise marks the Raptors failed to improve this year and former number one overall pick Andrea Bargnani may have actually devolved, according to the National Post.

All-Star representative Chris Bosh believes that Bargnani needs to improve over the offseason to help Toronto's chances at taking the next step in 2009.

"He just has to get better. That's all he has to do, work on his game," Chris Bosh said. "Work on his weaknesses. And he just has to believe he can be a star in this league. That's what it starts -- with you believing and you working on everything you can work on."

RealGM Note: Bargnani was ranked 209th in the NBA in season FIC and had a per 40 FIC of 7.9, putting him below the league median.

After the debacle which resulted in forward Jorge Garbajosa playing in the European Championships last summer, the Raptors are not going to make the same mistake again.

According to the Toronto Star, Bryan Colangelo made it clear that the Raptors will go to all lengths to ensure that Garbajosa's 2008-09 campaign will not be compromised.

"I think it's a safe assumption that he will not be playing in the Olympics as long as he's under contract to us," Colangelo said.

It looks like Sam Mitchell may be safe in Toronto after all.

According to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, Raptors' GM Bryan Colangelo called the speculation that Mitchell could be fired "absolutely ludicrous".

In recent days rumors have surfaced that Mitchell would be replaced with Phoenix Head Coach Mike D'Antoni, should he be relieved of his duties after the Suns were eliminated by the Spurs on Tuesday.

"Let's suffice it to say, all things should be put to rest right now when I say that I have absolutely no intention to make a coaching change at this time," Colangelo said.

"When you talk about the scenarios that have been brought up and the speculation on whether or not a first-round playoff loss would result in Sam's ouster, all of that is absolute speculation and it's also story-telling more than anything."

Even though he was overtaken on the Raptors' depth chart by Jose Calderon, point guard T.J. Ford wants to stick around in Toronto next season and beyond, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star is reporting.

Ford was reduced to spectator as the Raptors were eliminated from the playoffs on Monday night at the hands of the Orlando Magic.

"I want to be back," said Ford. "I never said anything about wanting to leave."

"It's really out of our control," said Ford. "That's up to Bryan Colangelo to make those decisions, what guys will be back and what guys he wants to change."

"As players, we just do the things we're supposed to do this summer and whatever happens be ready for next year."

The Orlando Magic advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday night after eliminating the Toronto Raptors with 102-92 victory in Game Five of their series.

Dwight Howard burst out with 21 points and 21 rebounds and Rashard Lewis tallied 18 points and 13 boards for the Magic, who outrebounded Toronto by nineteen and went 23-for-28 from the foul line.

Chris Bosh led with 16 points and 9 rebounds in the final game of the season for the Raptors, who shot just 41% from the floor and couldn't keep Howard out of the paint and off the glass.

The Magic have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in twelve years.

They will face the winner of the Detroit/Philadelphia series that is currently knotted at two games apiece.

With the Raptors on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, there is speculation that GM Bryan Colangelo may make a move, with Head Coach Sam Mitchell possibly becoming a casualty of a poor end to the season, Marc Berman of the New York Post is reporting.

Colangelo has not hired a coach in Toronto, and should D'Antoni be cut loose in Phoenix he may be a target.

Donnie Walsh and the Knicks, meanwhile, would appear to be interested if Mitchell hits the open market. Walsh was poised to interview Mitchell last season while with the Pacers when it appeared that Toronto would not renew his contract.

Mark Jackson, who still appears to be the favorite with the Knicks, is expected to talk to the Bulls Wednesday.

- ORL 106, TOR 94
The Orlando Magic used a strong fourth quarter to record a 106-94 win over the Toronto Raptors and a take a 3-1 series lead on Saturday afternoon.

Rashard Lewis had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Dwight Howard tallied 19 points and 15 boards for the Magic, who hit 49% of their shots and outrebounded Toronto by seven.

Chris Bosh led with 39 points and 14 rebounds and T.J. Ford added 12 points and 10 assists for the Raptors, who struggled from the field and couldn't capitalize on Orlando's eighteen turnovers.

The Magic will look to close out the series against the Raptors on Monday night in Orlando.

Game FIC Scores
Rashard Lewis, ORL - 28.9
Dwight Howard, ORL - 28.5
Chris Bosh, TOR - 27.8
T.J. Ford, TOR - 14.9

Magic forward Brian Cook has been ruled out for the remainder of the team's playoff series against the Raptors, according to  Florida Today.

He has a broken bone on the top of his right hand and has not appeared in any of the team's first three postseason games.

"I'm just trying to keep my mind fresh and my eyes used to focusing on the rim. Once I get the cast off, it'll take me a few days to get the feeling back in my hand, but I want to be ready to go as soon as possible," Cook said.

Cook's status, should the Magic advance into the second round, is unknown at this time.

- TOR 108, ORL 94
The Toronto Raptors avoided falling into an 0-3 hole with a dominating 108-94 win at home against the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.

Jose Calderon had 18 points, 13 assists and 7 rebounds and Jamario Moon added 11 points and 10 boards for the Raptors, who shot 49% from the floor and outrebounded Orlando by eight.

Dwight Howard posted 19 points and 12 rebounds and Hedo Turkoglu tallied 26 points and 7 boards in the loss for the Magic, who attempted thirteen more free throws than Toronto but went 6-for-27 from behind the three-point line.

Game Four will be Saturday afternoon in Toronto as the Raptors look to even the series.

Game FIC Scores
Jose Calderon, TOR - 23.0
Hedo Turkoglu, ORL - 19.9
T.J. Ford, TOR - 17.8
Rashard Lewis, ORL - 14.3

Shooter Jason Kapono believes that the Raptors are thinking too much in their first round matchup against the Magic, according to the Toronto Star.

"Obviously you want to start out well but we don't want to put pressure on ourselves to try to start well," Kapono said. "I think we just need to go out there and not think as much. I think in the first quarter we're trying to think our way through the game instead of just playing it."

Kapono has become the second player, after Chris Bosh, to speak out about the team's mental and gameplanning issues.

Ignoring his player's concerns, Toronto head coach Sam Mitchell reportedly has some changes on the horizon for Game Three.

"Because of things that we're trying to do I'm not going to divulge the lineup but we are going to make some tweaks," he said.