THESE RAPTORS have become so predictable. They even shortcut their meetings.

This was their day: Forty-five minutes of group therapy and a 90-minute practice.

Not much, you say? There was evidently no need for an alibi breakfast, with them all reading from the same script afterward. And when was the last time you could say that?

Maybe about the last time someone in purple actually went to the floor for a loose ball. Maybe about the last time one of these players-only meetings actually amounted to something other than stuff and bombast.

Hey, forget about firing the coach. We're not in that region yet and Lenny Wilkens isn't going anywhere anyway, not after the golden parachute they gave to his predecessor 18 months ago. They're not making a trade, either, even if a rugged, professional wing stopper would be a more welcome addition than a lifetime Gold Club membership. This team needs a shakeup, but nowhere near as radical as those two options ? not yet, anyway.