"In a perfect world, an offensive approach featuring an inside/outside game is the preferred mode by virtually every NBA team.

It's a formula that often leads to sustained success during the regular season, which lends itself quite nicely for an extended run in the post-season.

These Raptors are far from perfect, which isn't exactly news - a team that is life and death to beat even the very worst the NBA has to offer.

But for now and for the immediate future, barring the acquisition of a bona fide back-to-back basket presence, which isn't going to happen, the Raptors have a one-two punch in Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan, two perimeter players who are at their best when quick heaves are replaced by decisive forays to the hole.

When Bargnani was unavailable during a recent stretch in the wake of a strained left calf, it was left to DeRozan, the high-flying second-year wing, to pick up the offensive load.

The offence would go through DeRozan's hands and he took advantage of the extra touches by elevating his game.

Sunday afternoon against the visiting Sacramento Kings, who were minus their main offensive weapon in Tyreke Evans (sprained left ankle), the Bargnani-DeRozan combo helped carry the homeside to a 118-112 win.

From a basketball perspective, the afternoon was far from clinical, more an exercise in tedium than sporting tenacity pitting two teams destined for yet another lottery season.

And yet, when one strips away the sloppy defence and stretches of sub-standard play, one will find glimpses and evidence of two emerging offensive players co-existing in a non-traditional manner.

"DeMar has the ability to be aggressive even when Andrea is on the floor,'' Raptors head coach Jay Triano would begin post-game as his team tipped off a three-game homestand with a much-needed win.

"I think they can learn to play off each other as well."

Perhaps they can, but one will have to become more of a presence in the post because an inside game is one of many areas that has to be addressed."