Raptors Now Ask, What's Next?

Right at this moment, the Raptors and all their fans are agonizing over the question, what if?

What if Vince Carter's last-second jumper had found the bottom of the net?

But it bounced out and after the initial disappointment of Sunday's heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Sixers dissipates, Toronto can look back at its postseason accomplishments with pride.

Carter

A mere three seasons ago, the Raptors finished the year 16-66 and appeared to be a franchise in disarray. When that season ended with an embarrassing 29-point blowout loss at the hands of these very same 76ers, general manager Glen Grunwald found it necessary to address the crowd and assure them better times were ahead.

Cue forward only three years and the Raptors are competing with the best teams in the Eastern Conference. After already eliminating the perennial powerhouse Knicks from the playoffs and then battling top-seed Philadelphia to the absolute maximum in seven hard-fought games, Toronto looks to have established itself as a top tier franchise.

A few years ago, did you imagine in your wildest dreams that would be possible? Did anyone?

"We've accomplished a lot and I like how we grew up as a team," Carter said after the disappointing loss. "After Game 1 in New York, we could have easily rolled over but we have guys who don't quite. It's been memorable, but this is a hard one right now."

The Raptors have a genuine superstar in Carter, who is assured of being under contract with the team for at least another two seasons. And before the knives come out, there should be no attribution of that final miss to his decision to attend his college graduation earlier in the day, just as there would have been no credit given to it if he buried the shot.

Davis

Toronto also has a great mix of youthful energy and veteran experience. There are some key players who will become free agents later in the summer, namely Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams and Jerome Williams, but after experiencing the Raptors phenomenal postseason run you would have to think they would be looking to return as a first option.

Also on the roster are talented youngsters Morris Peterson and Keon Clark who each made huge contributions over the course of the season, none more important than the rookie Peterson's clutch 17 points in Game 6.

Guiding this mix is Lenny Wilkens who proved over the playoffs why he is a Hall of Fame coach. He is not the most prolific coach in NBA history because of self-promotion, but because he wins. And running the ship quietly, but ever so effectively, is Grunwald who engineered the remarkable turnaround for the franchise with astute drafting, shrewd personnel moves and imaginative salary cap structuring. He more than anyone deserves the accolades for what this team has achieved.

So at this time instead of asking, what if, take a moment to smile and ask, what's next?