"Jose Calderon has shot better and been more aggressive when looking to score.

He has swung the ball quicker and found his teammates in transition from better angles.

But there was something about Calderon's game Friday that was decidedly different, a pleasant departure that was absolutely needed in the absence of Chris Bosh, whose wonky ankle was replaced by chronic cramping in his stomach.

They say that desperate times call for desperate measures and the plight of the Raptors was reaching a near-crisis point.

As recently as two weeks ago, the Raptors were primed to separate themselves from the likes of Miami, Milwaukee, Chicago and Charlotte.

Not quite good enough to catch the likes of an Atlanta, Boston, Orlando and Cleveland, the Raptors were playing well enough to establish themselves as a solid No. 5 seed and a real threat to make some noise in the post-season.

Along comes Bosh's injury and suddenly the team is devoid of leadership, a shoulder to lean on when things got tough, when poise and composure were essential.

Andrea Bargnani gets exposed in Bosh's absence, unable to adapt to the added attention opposing defences apply and reluctant to attack the rim.

Fitting of his recent slump, Bargnani gets a shot to the head against the Knicks that requires stitches.

Hedo Turkoglu has the ball in his hands more often, but he's unable to sustain a high level over the course of an entire game.

Along comes Calderon, a victim of a bad break in Oklahoma City when his right elbow was cut courtesy, believe it or not, of a tooth by an unknown Thunder player."