Triano is a competitor, he says, and his measure of success is winning -- something the Toronto Raptors haven't managed to do much of these past four months with the Canadian coach in charge.

"I'm competitive, I want to win, that's the drive for me," Triano said after Saturday's practice at the Air Canada Centre. He was captain and a member of Canada's national Basketball team from 1978 to 1988.

Triano spoke before the Raptors hosted Philadelphia 76ers in their final home appearance, then wrap up the season with games at Washington today and Chicago on Wednesday.

The season's been a trying one for Triano and the Raptors (30-49), who are 22-40 since Triano replaced Sam Mitchell on Dec. 3. They will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

There are numerous factors that contributed to their decline -- an unfavourable schedule, Jose Calderon's hamstring injury that plagued him for much of the season, Chris Bosh's early-winter slump and the acquisition of Jermaine O'Neal that never panned out. The Raptors eventually swapped O'Neal for Miami's Shawn Marion at the trade deadline.

But through a difficult season, the 50-year-old Triano says he's become a better coach.

"Had it been a little bit easier, as far as wins and losses ... I would have continued to work hard but this is forcing me to dig deeper as far as what I have to improve on, and how we can be better and finding ways and means to get better as a team and as a coach," he said.

Triano became the first Canadian-born coach in the NBA when the Raptors hired him in 2002. He outlasted head coaches Lenny Wilkens, Kevin O'Neill and Mitchell. Technically the team's interim head coach, his status for next season is still undetermined.

Being the head coach, he added, is knowing what buttons to push to motivate each player. And after being an assistant -- a.k.a. good guy -- for so long, being the disciplinarian is a role that he admits he's still growing into.

"As an assistant coach, you're everybody's friend," Triano said. "I think I've gotten better at cracking the whip a little bit. It's still (work) in progress, but over time I think it will get easier."

Raps win final home game

TORONTO On the heels of a horrible season and out of the playoffs, all the Toronto Raptors could hope for last night was to win their final game at the Air Canada Centre and go out on a high note.

Chris Bosh scored 22 points to lead the Raptors to a 111-104 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in their home finale, snapping a four-game losing streak. Anthony Parker added 18 points, while Andrea Bargnani finished with 17 points. Shawn Marion had 14 points, Jos? Calder?n finished with 11 points and 11 assists.