For all the discussions of strategy and substitution patterns and low post play versus three-point shooting, the one thing the Toronto Raptors must dramatically improve in the second half of the NBA season is their work ethic.

And that lack of a consistent effort, or "not showing up to play" in the parlance of the day is the one thing that's kept them mired in the middle of the Eastern Conference pack through 40 games now of one-step-forward-and-another-one-back play.

"You have to identify what's wrong and why it's wrong," general manager Glen Grunwald said this week. "I think the players and our coaches are committed to fixing what's wrong."

While there has been a handful of little things go wrong so far this season, the fact the team doesn't put forth a solid effort every night out is at the root. Grunwald sees it, coach Lenny Wilkens sees it, the players see it and the fans, who show their displeasure with the effort with more boos than they've ever showered on a Raptor team, certainly see it.