Due to many changes made from the dismal .198 winning % Raptor team of 2 years ago, the Raptors are now at .551 and in the playoffs for the first time ever! Although they do not possess homecourt advantage, nor do they have a winning streak as of right now, but the Raptors are making strides. Look at this team 2 years ago. Struggling to win a game during a 17 game losing streak. Now it is a big blow to lose more than 3 games in a row for this team. The Raptors have really toughened up and grown together as a team. This is why they have such high expectations and predictions placed upon them. Even Jeff Van Gundy, coach of the Knicks, commented that this team could make it to the finals. Because Orlando lost, Raptors are in the playoffs. Who cares where we are in the standings, WOO HOO!

You can say that they beat 3 teams fighting for top lottery picks in this next draft, but you can also look at it as a turning point for the Raptors. The Raptors, becoming too dependent on Vince Carter, have slumped for the past two weeks. The only Raptor who didn't slump is the one trying to get out of Vince Carter's shadows. Successfully, he has and he is his own player. Hopefully, he will understand that no matter where he is, he will always be Tracy McGrady. The Raptors, in the last 3 games, have played on a team. They have worked together, focusing on distributing the ball and communicating on the floor. From this last game, you can see that Vince isn't all about scoring, but being more a threat all over. Hence, his performance demonstrated this, 31 pts, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. T-Mac was no slouge either, scoring 27 points and 10+ rebounds, 6 blocks and 6 assists. T-Mac has the talent to be the first ever Raptor to score a quadrouple double. Let's hope the Raptors stay cohersive and communicative.

Last night, Raptors beat the Bucks big time by playing hard and in 2 words: Vince Carter. Vince scored the highest point total in the NBA this season and a new career and Raptor high, 47 points! Yet, a lot of hard hits were taken personally by the Bucks. Today, the Bucks fought back, including an elbow and punch to Antonio Davis by J.R. Reid. Cheap shot, but hey, if it gets himself and Antonio Davis out of the game, guess it works. Oakley was also tossed out of the game when receiving a 'flagrant foul' and argued the call. It was a touch foul, and if he had hit less arm, it would have been a block. Bad, very bad officiating. Raptors were trailing by as much as 31 points in this game. On to the next game, Charlotte. Hopefully, Raptors will use this game to fire up for next game.

The Kings decided to attack the Raptors by centering the defence on Vince, who was limited to only 14 pts. Let Oak kill us, and what did Oak do? Score a season high 20 pts and rebound a season high of 16 to lead the Raptors to 5 above 500. The ACC was a sell-out, and they were on their feet with 2 outstanding dunks by Vince Carter with 30 seconds to go. Tracy McGrady ignited the Raptors in the fourth quarter by scoring 15 and playing excellent defence, regaining the Raptor lead. Note: Chris Webber was the bright spot on the Kings with 30 pts and 19 rebounds. Jason Williams, the far runner-up to Vince in the Rookie of the Year voting last year, was only 2-11 with 4 assists.

Vince Carter scores 35 points tonight, capping off his first 30 point outing in 3 successive nights. Though Houston seemed like a relatively easy match, it was a hard fought game that led to a Raptor win, 100-99. Carter hit 2 decisive free throws which made a Houston 3 point shot at the end of the game meaningless. Vince Carter is a fan favorite all over, note that the Compaq Center was a sell-out.

Vince Carter crushes the Cavs with style! Less than a minute to go, Vince hits the crucial 3 pointer, the deciding factor in the Raptors 98-95 needed win. Without the likes of Dee Brown and Dell Curry, both hobbling, Vince came up BIG with 36 points and 8 assists. Totaling 72 points in 2 nights! Incredible feat. Doug Christie also scored 20 points and a perfect night at the line, 8-8. And let's not forget the deal of the summer, Antonio Davis contributed yet another double-double with 15 points and 10 boards.

Vince Carter, currently 1st in fowards all-star bidding, could be the first Raptor to become an all-star. Note, Damon Stoudamire is still not an all-star, or even as premier a point gaurd as he was in Toronto. Vince, a fan favourite all over, has wowed the crowds with his mammoth jams, but also his likeable and charming personality. (Always smiling). Vince is ranked 6th in the NBA in ppg at 23.5 and rebouding approximately 6 a game. He has shown that he can shoot the J, bring it inside and out, and hit the 3-ball if you leave him open. Vince is truly becoming the 'NEXT' basketball star of the millenium.