In the first four years that the Toronto Raptors existed, they finished in eighth (last) place three times, employed three head coaches and won about 30 percent of their games. Then last season, the Raps won 45 games and made the playoffs. So why were people so unhappy when the season ended?

	Vinsanity was held in check in the playoffs, and the pressure will be on this season.

Two reasons, though people could blame the former and not the latter: Butch Carter and Tracy McGrady. Carter sued Marcus Camby before the Knicks series began, then after the Raptors lost the first two games he openly criticized the officials and his team's contract problems. Players rebelled against him. He spent much of his summer unemployed.

The other distraction was the Raptors knowing that future star McGrady was likely playing in one of his final games with the team. And to top it all off, the Raps put on one bad performance after another in being swept by New York, a team they did very well against during the regular season. By the way, McGrady spent much of his summer rich and employed by the Magic.

People in Toronto are a little more upbeat now. With that, we delve into Offseason Team Spotlight No. 26, the Toronto Raptors. As always, we have our opinions, which are below, but we also appreciate yours. Click on the right side of the page to read your user comments.

Why the Raptors were 45-37: The Raptors found a gem when they got Vince Carter in the draft after their third season. Carter was pretty darn good when he won the Rookie of the Year award during the lockout season, and he was spectacular last year. Forget about the highlight dunks for just a second. Carter averaged 25.7 points a game, rebounded, defended and passed well and instantly turned the franchise's fortunes around. You know how many lottery picks do nothing? Ask the Clippers.

Carter wasn't the only one emerging. After two seasons with limited playing time, someone finally let McGrady show off his talents, and he didn't disappoint. McGrady averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds, and when he started those numbers were 17.3 and 8.1. He also blocked shots and could defend multiple positions. Alas, McGrady was on his way out the door, but he certainly helped the team while he was helping himself.

While Butch Carter was in the news for silly things he was saying, especially in the playoffs, the Raptors were bonding and learning how to be winners, certainly a lot faster than their expansion brethren in Vancouver. Like most young teams, there were highs and lows. The Raptors had a number of three-game winning and losing streaks the first two months, won six of seven in late-January and 11 of 12 at one point in March. Of course, they also lost eight of nine right after that. Toronto settled in to the No. 6 seed and embraced what appeared to be a good matchup with New York.

The Raptors had beaten the Knicks three of four during the season, two of those games quite easily. Carter averaged 33 points on 60 percent shooting in the four games. But the playoff series was different. Carter shot .300, McGrady .386 and the Raptors failed to top 88 points in a game.

The breakthrough season was over, but was it marred by Butch Carter's theatrics and free agency? Guess we'll find out this season, with a new coach, some new players and some pretty high hopes.

	Current projected top 6
	PG	Mark Jackson
	SG	Vince Carter
	SF	Corliss Williamson
	PF	Charles Oakley
	C	Antonio Davis
	6th	Kevin Willis

Team MVP: Hint: Maybe you've seen the guy on SportsCenter. He likes to dunk. It's Vinsanity. Team LVP: Desperate for a point guard, Alvin Williams started 28 times. That will never happen again on any NBA team. This guy averaged 2.3 assists for the year and shot .397. Surprise! The Raptors knew that Carter would only get better, but being among the scoring leaders wasn't an option they considered for his second season. And with the numbers McGrady put up as a starter, Butch Carter should be ashamed he didn't start him all season. Up and comer: Morris Peterson isn't likely to start, but he comes into a good situation to get playing time. He can shoot from the outside and get to the basket, and with the team needing offense up front, he could produce.

What they need: You add Mark Jackson and Corliss Williamson to the starting lineup, replace an embattled coach with Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, and you figure this is a team that is going to get better. But not necessarily. Jackson and Williamson come off seasons in which they combined for 18.4 points, barely more than what McGrady did as a starter. The point here is that Carter can score like Allen Iverson every night, but he lacks a strong No. 2 guy to take the pressure off him. Expect a lot of double teams this year, Vince.

Jackson does give the team a natural point guard, finally. Don't tell us Damon Stoudamire was that guy, either. Jackson thinks pass first, without hesitation, and will get the ball to the right places. The problem is, where are those places? Antonio Davis might increase his scoring output, but he might not. Last year was really the first time he was featured at all on offense, and while his shooting percentage was poor for a man his size (.440), he is capable. Charles Oakley spends his time on the floor chasing loose balls rather than shooting, but nobody's complaining. Williamson did average 17.1 points a game three seasons ago, when there were no other options in Sacramento, but nobody's sure if he can get back to that. And it's not like he crashes the boards even a little. Think older Mo Taylor.

The Raptors not only could use a 15-points a night second scorer, but someone to hit the threes and defend better, especially in the East. Carter has range, but you'd prefer to see him driving. Defensively, he's capable. Doug Christie, one of the league's top defensive guards and occasional 3-point threat, was sent in the Williamson deal. Now that Carter plays shooting guard more, his defensive responsibilities shift, he has to work harder. And Williamson isn't known for defense. Dee Brown, among the NBA leaders in threes attempted per game, decided to join McGrady in Orlando as a free agent. Dell Curry, who was a disappointment as the resident sniper, needs to step up more. There definitely are questions with the backcourt depth in Toronto.

What the plan is: While McGrady will be missed, the Raptors did address three big needs, getting an experienced point guard (who admitted the day he was signed that "I just thank God for allowing a guy like me to be 35 years old and still be able to play a little bit") along with a salvageable small forward and a new coach. But expectations will be high, and if the team fails to match its win total from last year and win a playoff round, it will be on Carter's shoulders. Let's just remember, and we're not comparing these guys, but this Michael Jordan guy needed a few years in the league and a Hall of Famer running with him to win something. Something to think about down the line: Vince may not be in Toronto forever. In fact, people are already talking about where he goes after next season when the contract runs out.

Plus, Carter will have to deal more and more with the fact he is carrying the torch for the league. His summer wasn't the greatest, as his endorsement deal with Puma blew up in his face and he was ordered to pay the company $13.5 million in damages. Another shoe company will surely pay him, but that's not the point. It's not simply about playing ball anymore.

Meanwhile, Davis and 7-footers Michael Stewart and Aleksandar Radojevic, the latter a Yugoslav who played 24 minutes last year, are the team's centers. Oakley and Kevin Willis are the team's power forwards. Already you can see a lack of scoring punch from these five guys. So the pressure will also be on Williamson to score. At worst, he figures to get plenty more shot attempts than the last two seasons, when Chris Webber was Jason Williams' fave target.

Jackson is no kid, but he's wise and knows his limitations. However, Christie was the stopper on nights when Stephon Marbury or Iverson just could not be stopped. Jackson can't do that, and neither can Curry or Muggsy Bogues, assuming he even comes back. There's still some work to do this offseason.

To sum up, Vince and the Raptors will remain exciting and they will be this year's Sacramento Kings in terms of newfound TV exposure, but will some clear on-the-court problems hold them back record-wise?

Direction heading: We don't think the Raptors are heading downward, but that doesn't mean they are better, either. They may or may not win another 45 games, but they should definitely be playoff-bound. Is this ambiguous enough? There remain a number of questions personnel-wise that even Lenny Wilkens may not be able to solve. It wouldn't surprise us to see this team finish with anywhere between 40 and 50 wins. We'll pick 45 again.