The Raptors have undergone a minor makeover this summer in an attempt to convince Chris Bosh to stick around up north and not take off for greener, less tundra-like pastures. They've added Hedo Turkoglu and beefed up their frontcourt with bigger bodies. Needless to say, the Raptors need to produce to prove that the investments were worthwhile.
Unfortunately, they're off to a rocky start, as training camp will begin with the franchise on the sideline.
The National Post reported Friday that Bosh tweaked his hamstring in an offseason workout in Dallas, and re-aggravated it in Toronto this week. He's expected to miss the start of training camp, along with Hedo Turkoglu, who is resting after a busy summer with the Turkish national team.
So the franchise All-Star and the newly inked big-name free agent small forward won't be around. No big deal. But it's just an element that bodes poorly for the Raptors, who are trying to get a fresh start, one with consistent success.
The other question that has to be asked, following injuries sustained by members of the San Antonio Spurs and others during international play (along with freak accidents like last year's Monta Ellis moped debacle), do NBA players really need to do anything over the summer? And I mean, anything. The crazy, frustrating minor injuries that can occasionally plague a team throughout the year seem unnecessary, when in reality, they're just the consequences of life, and of the game specifically.
The lesson here? If you play professional basketball, you should stay in your house and play video games all year, occasionally stretching or lightly jogging on a safety-reinforced treadmill.
