IT WAS Vince Carter's graduation year ? a convocation ceremony that would loom rather large in the finish to the Toronto Raptors' 2000-01 season, and confirmation signed on the dotted line of his importance to the NBA's lone remaining Canadian franchise.

The year 2001 also marked a graduation of sorts for those Raptors, and especially their general manager Glen Grunwald. While the story around the rest of the league dealt with some familiar storylines ? the Lakers repeated as champions, Michael Jordan returned again, the Grizzlies limped through another losing season and departed Vancouver for Memphis ? the Raptors were all about change. And after the comings and goings had been sorted out, they exited 2001 the same way they entered it: Full of question marks.