It was only a year ago that many of the Raptors faithful began to question the ability of Bryan Colangelo to make this team competitive and started calling for his head. You all know who you are.

What a difference a year makes. With only two of last year`s opening day starting five remaining, this team has had a complete and wondrous make-over. The starting combination of Parker, Moon (or Kapono) and O'neal has been replaced with the likes of Turkoglu, Bargnani and possibly Belinelli. While this may seem like a minor upgrade in all to some, it's the names on the bench that are generating the buzz and excitement for opening day. Names like Jack, Wright, Evans, Derozan and returning fan favourite Nesterovic,who is likely going to generate a huge applause when he takes his first shift on the home floor, have the Raptors faithful buzzing with anticipation.

While there may appear to be some remaining holes to fill to the highly critical and analytical fans (***cough*** Franchise ***cough***) this lineup is going to prove to be highly competitive from top to bottom. No more biting fingernails when a Hassan Adams or Will Solomon enter the game. No more sighs from the crowd when the uber athletic Jamario Moon chooses to jack a triple instead of jumping over the entire opposing team for an NBA Jam Session style super dunk. Now the sounds of cheers and applause will be heard when Hedo Turkoglu fakes the shot and makes a pass to Bosh with Nash-like precision for the emphatic jam. Chants of “Rocky” will fill the ACC as Marco Belinelli goes on a shooting tear and hits nothing but net with circus jumper after circus jumper. The roar of appreciation with fists pumping in the air when Jarett Jack muscles his way inside for the critical basket and one as he is sent tumbling to the floor.

Make no mistake about it, this team is going to compete from top to bottom and will definitely make some noise this year. This is one of the deepest teams in Raptors history and this homer can't wait for opening day. Go Raps!