In no way should this be taken as an excuse for the Raptors' passionless play of late.

Looking at it analytically, though, passionless play at this time of year is a league-wide phenomenon.

The fact is, there are between 15 and 18 teams exactly like the Raptors around the NBA.

We're not talking about similarities in talent level or style of play. We're talking in general terms about teams that are frustratingly inconsistent from the fans' and the media's point of view.

To put it bluntly, pro basketball before Christmas almost always stinks and this season is no exception. Call it the December blahs.

The NBA these days is full of teams that can look like world-beaters for a couple of games and then in the next few games look like they never before have picked up a basketball.