Vince Carter has some advice for the Toronto Raptors coach who replaces the fired Lenny Wilkens: He has to be serious and hungry.

Carter does not want a coach who will take the job just because it's an opportunity.

"I want him to say this is a challenge I am willing to take and willing to make Vince Carter better, Michael Bradley better, make Antonio (Davis) ... I mean make all these guys better. I want him to establish a role for them and establish some confidence,'' Carter said yesterday at the Air Canada Centre after announcing the return of his charity all-star game set for Aug. 1.

Those on the short list for the job are Detroit's Kevin O'Neill, Seattle's Dwane Casey and Milwaukee's Sam Mitchell. The Raptors are expected to make a decision in the next two weeks.