I couldn't believe my eyes. First place! The Toronto Raptors? What is the world coming to?

OK, OK. That's not really what happened. I knew all along that the Raps were in first, but honestly, who thought they would have a five-game lead over the Nets at this point in the season?

Not even Chris Bosh apparently. I talked to CB4 about the keys to his team's success this season, and then I turned the interview over to my alter-ego, the Rookie Report, to get the low down on the Raptors' two key first-year players.

NBA.com: If I told you at the beginning of the season that on March 20, the Raptors would have a five-game lead in your division, what would have been your reaction?

Chris Bosh: (Laughs.)

NBA.com: Would you have thought it possible?

Chris Bosh: Well, of course I would have thought it possible, but I would have thought you were being very optimistic, and I would have appreciated it and liked it.

NBA.com: When I look at your team stats, I see that you're in the middle of the pack in both offensive and defensive numbers. So, I want to know what's the Raptors' personality. How do you win games?

Chris Bosh: We win games by moving the basketball, playing team basketball and making sure that everybody gets a touch. Passing and cutting and trying to get a couple of points on fast breaks. I think that's the thing that best helps this team out.

NBA.com: What about defensively? Do you have confidence that you can get a stop when you need it? How do you feel about your team defense at this point?

Chris Bosh: I mean, our team defense is good at certain points. Of course, it has to be better and we have to have a better sense of urgency. But, as far as getting the job done, it gets the job done. Of course, we want to be a lot better than we are, and that takes time and effort and dedication, but you know, we just have to keep learning and stay dedicated to it.

NBA.com: You started 7-14 and you were hurt at the time, but I think that's when it started to turn around for this team. What was it that keyed that turnaround?

Chris Bosh: I think everybody noticed that we had to continue to share the ball, and just passing it into the post and standing and looking wasn't working better than moving the ball. And we were forced to do that. When you're forced to move the ball around, it's a little bit different, you know?

NBA.com: So you not being able to play was sort of a blessing in disguise in that it changed the mentality a little bit. Is that what you're saying?

Chris Bosh: Yeah, I think so. That's exactly what I'm saying. You know, it changed the mentality a lot and everybody had to come together as a team and just lock in and focus.

NBA.com: At this point, you have 15 games left. You've never been in the playoffs before, so are you starting to get excited about that first playoff game?

Chris Bosh: Yeah, there's a lot of anticipation building up. You know, I can't wait. But, this is what I have been working on. This is what I've been working night in and night out for. I think this is what the team has been focused and working on. And you know, when the time presents itself, you just have to step up and keep working, because all that hard work that we've been doing and all that positive thinking is finally coming to life.

NBA.com: How about the fans in Toronto? How have they been treating you guys this year now that things have turned around? I know they're a passionate group.

Chris Bosh: (Laughs.) Yeah, they are a passionate group, but I think it's a good passion. They demand the best and they always want to see us do well. You know, they're just like us. We want to do well and we demand the best out of each other. And I think when we have pressure like that, it's good pressure, because we want to do well and we're always under the microscope.

NBA.com: Especially when Vince Carter comes to town.

Chris Bosh: Yeah, they really get up for those games. (Laughs.)

NBA.com: Tell me about Andrea Bargnani. What were your first thoughts when he was drafted, before you got to see him in training camp or anything like that?

Chris Bosh: I didn't know much about him. I remembered we played Treviso in my second year. I remember glimpses of him, but not much. But everyone spoke highly of him, especially after watching him play.

NBA.com: How has he gained so much confidence so quickly? He has surprised a lot of people, probably including some guys in your organization, with how quickly he has adapted.

Chris Bosh: He's surprised me a lot, because he came in, he had his normal confidence and he was really just anxious to get going. And you know, everybody thought it would just be a matter of time. I think he just had to get in there and struggle a little bit and get minutes. And Bryan [Colangelo] believed in him heavily. He said that once that he gets enough time and he gets enough minutes to go in there and just become his own man, become his own player, he's going to do well.

NBA.com: What's his greatest asset?

Chris Bosh: His shooting ability. I mean, to be seven feet and being able shoot the ball like that at such a young age is very impressive and it makes him a threat. He's a big threat, especially in the style of offense that we play. With him set up over there ready to shoot the ball, guys have to respect that.

NBA.com: Does he need to do some work on his post game and his rebounding? Is that where you'd say he's got the most room to improve?

Chris Bosh: Yeah, his offensive game is improving every day. Once he gets that post game and just that knack for rebounding ... It takes time. Once he gets that knack for rebounding, he's going to be very effective.

NBA.com: It seems like he can get himself into trouble sometimes when he puts the ball on the floor. What does he need to do in that aspect?

Chris Bosh: He just has to take his time. Sometimes you just get in a rush, because you think you have to make quick plays, but that just comes with confidence and knowing what your ability is. It just comes with experience. You know, once the game gets a little slower to him, he'll see things much faster.

NBA.com: Do you foresee him being a starter with an expanded role next year?

Chris Bosh: I'm not sure. You know, we're at the position now where starting really doesn't matter. He's in most of the time at the end of games, and that's all that matters.

NBA.com: What does Jorge Garbajosa give your team?

Chris Bosh: He's just a smart player. He's just one of those guys that's just a veteran no matter where you put him. He's been playing basketball for a long time. He knows what he can do and he doesn't try to step out of his boundaries. He's just one of those smart players and he has a high IQ for basketball.

NBA.com: Is there room for improvement with him? He's a 29-year old rookie. Does he still have some adjusting to the NBA to do?

Chris Bosh: I definitely think he can get better. Everyone can get better and improve their game. If he just continues to keep working hard and get acclimated even more, I think he's gonna be that much better.

NBA.com: Finally, the most important question. What do you call the two rookies? I know Andrea's nickname on TV is Il Mago. Does he have that name around the team?

Chris Bosh: Nah, we're not calling him Il Mago. (Laughs.) We just call them Andrea and Jorge. Garbo with an American accent ... and Big Rook.