TIME TO DO a re-assessment of the Raptors.

Wasn't so long ago they were mentioned along with the other shaggy dogs running around the NBA's eastern kennel. Maybe even top dogs.

Truth is they look more like one of those all bark, no bite animals. They've got Vince Carter and as far as a second option, well, they've never quite figured that one out.

Carter strapped 'em on his back last night, but even that 98-96 scoreline in their favour can't fool many. They did everything they could to give this one away, and only got bailed out late in regulation by the very game officials they whined at all night long.

This is getting to be familiar, this lack of urgency, this failure to adjust, this inattention to detail and the big picture.