The Raptors are Really, Really Missing Chris Bosh

The Raptors are struggling something fierce without Chris Bosh. Let's count the ways:

No offensive flow. It goes beyond the fact Toronto isn't putting points on the board, it's how they're not putting points on the board. They put up just 83 against the Trailblazers and 77 against the Heat, looking absolutely lost in the process. Sam Mitchell, after losing to the Blazers, explains:

"We've got people who are not 1-on-1 basketball players," conceded Mitchell. "How do we normally get our shots? We take the ball inside to Chris Bosh, he gets doubled, then moves the ball, creating gaps and openings. Without him, we have to adjust, but we didn't do it today."

That sounds like a damning indictment of point guard T.J. Ford, ostensibly responsible for running the show. Ford actually finished that game with 19 points, six assists and one turnover, but one night later lived down to his coach's assessment with seven turnovers, including six in the first half when the game was somewhat close, amid 10 points and 12 assists.

No rebounding. With Bosh in the lineup, the Raptors were assured one player would post double-digit boards every night. In two games without him they've been outworked 71-98 on the glass, with nobody grabbing more than seven in a game.

Few points in the paint. Without Bosh working the post, the Raptors have settled for 44 three-point shots in their past two games. Of course, that might not be so bad had the team made more than just nine of them. Shooting 20% from long range is a bad idea for a poor rebounding team, and it's a horrible idea for a team that should be doing anything possible to get some easy points on the board by creating contact and going to the line. Which brings us to another point ...

Not enough free throws. The Raptors attempted just five free throws on Monday! And they made three of them! Dwyane Wade, who gets favorable treatment from the refs but also creates his own luck by having no fear driving the lane, made 11 of 13 free throws all by himself on Monday.

Honestly, I don't know how things can get better for the Raptors barring a complete shift in the team's personality. The Raptors went 1-11 without Bosh last year, and it doesn't look like things will improve this year. He didn't even travel with the team on their current road trip, but there's at least a chance he could play when the Raps return home to take on the Nets on Friday.