Turkoglu's size (6ft 10in, 220lbs), versatility (ability to play both shooting guard and small forward), and his clutch shooting (his scoring average rose in each subsequent round of last year's play-offs) will, amongst other advantages, force defences to spread their focus from only stopping Bosh.

Turkoglu's presence also allows the Raptors to put together several different line-ups, giving them the ability to match up better to their opposition on the defensive end and create problems on offense. For instance, they could start Turkoglu at the small forward position, with Bosh at power forward and Andrea Bargnani at centre, giving them a front court who are all 6ft 10in and above.

Conversely, the Raptors could also have Turkoglu play the shooting guard spot and have newly drafted swing man DeMar DeRozan at small forward. In this scenario, Turkoglu's size would create match-up problems for opposing defenders, while DeRozan's athleticism and explosiveness would add a new wrinkle to the offense.

However, it is not just the addition of Turkoglu that makes Toronto a team to watch this season. Another reason for optimism will be an improved situation at point guard.

Last season, Jose Calderon suffered through nagging injuries and fatigue as he fought through his first full season as a starter. This year, however, Calderon not only knows what to expect from the starter's role, but he skipped participating for the Spanish national team this off-season, which should allow him to stay fresh as the season progresses.

Calderon's primary back-up from last year, Roko Ukic, will be heading into his second season in the NBA and should be able to draw from last season's up and down year. Ukic's ability to give the team more quality minutes could also potentially be augmented by the addition of a third point guard – restricted free agent Jarret Jack.

Jack, a former college teammate of Chris Bosh at Georgia Tech, signed an offer sheet earlier in the week and is waiting to see whether his old club, the Indiana Pacers, will match the offer. Jack was very effective last season as a back-up to former Raptor TJ Ford, and his addition would give the Raptors three legitimate options for the point position.

Depth off the bench, in general, was another issue the Raptors aimed to address this off-season. Gone are the flawed Joey Graham and Jason Kapono, the steady yet unspectacular Anthony Parker, and the bottom-feeding Jake Voshkul and Jamario Moon. In, are a collection of new faces and new attitudes.

Steady veterans Devean George and Reggie Evans have been a part of successful play-off runs in the past and bring a workmanlike attitude to the floor. Antoine Wright, a young guard/forward who came over with George from Dallas, and the previously-mentioned DeRozan, should inject some youth and athleticism into the roster, which could allow the offense to open up from its usual methodical approach.

However, despite all of these changes, it will be the performance of head coach Jay Triano that will determine whether or not the Raptors can make a serious run at a play-off spot.

Entering his first full year as a head coach, the long-time assistant and former Canadian national team head coach will be under the microscope this year.

His record after taking over from former coach Sam Mitchell was unspectacular, but many of the team's players commended him for continuing to preach his philosophy despite the tough results.

Will Triano's lessons finally hit home with the players this year? Will the new additions be able to mesh with last year's holdovers? Will the Raptors be able to compete?

We will have to wait until October to begin to find out.