"The ball is back in Jose Calderon's court at a time when the Raptors are courting disaster.

All is not lost because there is still time for the Raptors to regain their form, but there's a growing sentiment that the team has become a lost cause.

"We're in a tough situation,'' Calderon said after Tuesday's practice, a lengthy session that followed a rare gathering in the wake of a back-to-back set. "At the same time, we have to be motivated as ever."

Officially, nothing has been said publicly, but it's almost a given that Calderon will start Wednesday night when the Atlanta Hawks, without Joe Johnson, pay a visit to the Air Canada Centre.

The Hawks have had their way against the Raptors in two early season meetings, games that turned into beatings.

Calderon was the starter back then, but a hip injury paved the way for Jarrett Jack to fill in.

Jack is more aggressive in attacking the rim, has better lateral quickness than Calderon and will look to score more often.

But his game has reached a plateau and the team's recent slide has forced the Raptors to look at all areas.

Jack is saying all the right things, but the tenor of his voice indicates an anger that must be channelled into games.

Jack now has a chip on his shoulder, which is good given how passive the Raptors have been in losing nine of their past 10 games and five in a row."