Bargnani started and looked pretty damn goodIf you take any great pleasure out of beating the Heat in your own backyard you’re probably the type that likes to post-up your five year old nephew and trash talk after each score. Nothing wrong with that except you’d be thinking too highly of yourself because after all, he’s five years old. So keeping that in mind yesterday afternoon was quite a fine one for our beloved Raps. We start Andrea Bargnani who puts on a show to remember, Will Solomon comes in and looks like an NBA’er, Jermaine O’Neal does his best Dwight Howard impression and Chris Bosh has a quiet and professional 27/7. The pessimist would point out that we gave up 96 points to a bad team at home and they’d be right, but overall we can’t really complain about much, especially after what happened against the C*nty Celtics and Philly.
Andrea Bargnani gets the start and you’re thinking, “Uh oh, Marion will do to him what Hedo did to him and then some”. Au contraire. Bargnani came out of the gates looking like the player we all want him to be. You know, like Dirk. Hitting his jumpers, posting up dwarfs who think they can guard him, driving and kicking to find open shooters and looking as confident of scores as Hugh Hefner at a Playboy party. Neither Shawn Marion or Udonis Haslem could check him and when the switch had him matched up with Wade or Chalmers, it meant easy scores. Andrea finished with only 12 points but they call came early and set the offensive tone for the afternoon. He actually gets a look in his eyes when he’s confident and playing well, its a look that says: Don’t even test this white boy – I’ve been aceing Caliper tests since I was 15 and am about to prove that this #1 pick was well worth it. At least for this game. I love that look in Bargnani, he’s focused, looking out for himself and playing with confidence. When he’s in that zone even MJ would defer to him.
Bargnani’s great early play made us forget not only about Jamario Moon but also of the fact that we weren’t playing any defense at all. None. The pick ‘n roll type was the worst with Wade basically picking out the screen-setter every time or doing it himself. Will Solomon ended up with a sexy 11 assists but early on Mario Chalmers was going by him at ‘will’. One of the reasons why the Heat hit four first-quarter threes and were right in the game down 2 at the end of the first. Once Bargnani went out in the second the scoring dipped even though Hump tried to do his best Hump impression and JKilla registered with a couple jumpers. Too much Heat penetration for the entire quarter and Wade finishing it off with two big hoops means we’re down 4 at the break. Seen some good things so far but the defense has been very crappy: confusion about PNRs, can’t stop dribble penetration and all it takes to beat us for a score are two good passes. Still, I’ll take it, at least we didn’t come out of the game like we’re OD’d on Valium. Despite the deficit, it’s still looking like a W because we’re killing them on the boards and Bosh is yet to even get heated up.
You’re probably wondering how Solomon fared in his first start, good question, let’s ask Mitchell about Willie and Uki.
“I thought Will did a good job of pushing the basketball and getting us into our spots. He and Roko controlled the tempo for us and we had a chance to get some easy baskets. When we had to set up, we got the ball to the people who we wanted to get the ball to.”
He’s right, we did push the ball and won the fastbreak-points matchup 14-2, something we’d done only once under Calderon. But again this is the Heat, not the Celtics.
“The bench is a great motivator”. Those are the words of Jack Armstrong and apply to Jamario Moon who had a miserable first half where he missed numerous covers and invited the ire of many a Raptor fan supporter. Moon drove three times in the second half, twice for fouls and once for a score. To put this in perspective he had driven the ball once all year. This guy uses gears when he plays, I don’t like that. I can see Bosh or JO shifting gears but not Jamario “Who?” Moon. Never liked him but if he can produce like yesterday in a bench role in limited minutes, I can be convinced to tolerate him. Moving along, we played aggressively in the third quarter and went to the line 8 times. O’Neal continued to miss easy layups and pick up cheap fouls but his effort on the boards was gargantuan – 18 rebounds to go along with 11 points which helped balloon the rebounding differential to +17 at 52-35 and took the Raptors from 30th to 28th overall.
Notice I haven’t even mentioned Bosh – 13-15 FT. It’s because the man is quieter than a mouse pissing on cotton. He ended up with 27/7 and I have no idea how he got them. We tend to only remember him missing bad jumpers and not the other good stuff. It’s probably because we’re all still hurting from the C*ntics game. We don’t win this game without Bosh, he’s the guy you dump the ball down to when nothing’s going right and he’ll give you something. He had a key drive and dunk in the fourth quarter when the Heat and Wade were making their run and invited a double every time he caught the ball, something that will never show up in the boxscore.
The only reason we would lose this game is that if we didn’t utilize our size advantage and stick strictly to perimeter jumpers. We did neither of that and have the 38-32 PINP advantage to prove that. Miami’s got nobody over 6′8″ in their regular rotation and give credit to Mitchell for recognizing that and increasing this advantage by starting Bargnani. It also helps that the team shoots 47% and makes you look smart whil everybody gets a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. But remember, it’s the Heat and they won 15 games last year.
Miami started to fade in the second half because they were simply overmatched, we’re a bigger, stronger team that has no business being within 10 points of Miami at any time. Maybe it had something to do with Wade spraining his ankle but I don’t think so. The only reason this game is even close is because we have no answer for Wade. He was checked by Anthony Parker for most of the night and Parker did a good enough job on him, he took 31 shots to get 29 points and we should give some credit to Parker. I don’t think he stopped Wade by any means because he was going by him almost every time and getting clean looks. The difference was the interior defense of Jermaine O’Neal which was on the court and effective for 34 minutes tonight. O’Neal provided the second line of defense all night long and altered many a shot, he also sparked the key Raptors run in the fourth quarter by getting two huge blocks on Marion and Cook, the latter being highlight reel material. We also held the Heat to 27% shooting in the fourth quarter. With Bosh carrying the offensive load and O’Neal handling the defensive side of things, all the rest of the Raptors had to do was play reasonably well to win this game and Will Solomon, Andrea Bargnani and Anthony Parker delivered. Throw in 32 points off of the bench and some Hump hustle and you got yourself a W against a bad team at home. Congratulations, let’s go to Orlando for a real test.
Those of you who are missing TJ Ford must love Will Solomon. When his shot’s going and he’s not making dumb turnovers he’s the greatest playa eva but when he’s playing like he did against Philly, you want to choke him. Point is that expecting Will to deliver anything close to 15/11 is unreasonable and this game should be written off as an anomaly (I know, it sucks). What can’t be written off as an anomaly is the play of Bargnani who got his scores against Haslem and Marion, two pretty good defenders. He’ll likely get a chance at redemption against the Magic in the same spot he got burned in last year, let’s see what he’s learned.
Notes (stuff that you can’t fit into paragraphs):
- Note to Matt Devlin: Please stop calling a double-double a ‘Tim Hortons’. They don’t need plugs, maybe instead plug RR? Double R’s, get it?
- Retarded post-game quote goes to Jamario Moon: “My job is just to play basketball”.
- One thing I’d like to see on the Raptors: Bargnani improving his rebounding, he’s averaging 4.0 per game. Ouch.
- Jason Kapono stuck to shooting the ball and not driving it. So much more effective when he’s doing that, he even took a shot today when the D was right up on him, something he refused to do against Philly. Result: he made it. See Kap, its better if you just let it go rather than think about it.
- Heat perspective on the game: The Raptors are too big.
- Random link of the day: MJ vs CEO
Thanks to everybody for making it to the live chat and checking out the game with us. We’ll try doing this more often.
85 Raps
Wait…a whole blog without Sam hate??
I need to sit down.
Give him credit: he made changes and it worked. Yes, it’s Miami, but the changes he made could have just as easily failed and people here would have ripped him a new one.
What can I say, I’m a fair guy.
i was nervous about bargnani starting at 3, but then i remembered miami sucks. let’s see if that holds against orlando, or other teams with solid 3s.
it was the right decision this game though, have to give mitchell credit for recognizing that.
i guess if our lowly raps can beat a team, that team must suck.
sidenote: what’s it say about marion for wanting out of phx? talk about not recognizing a good thing…
yertu, the Heat aren’t very good. Nothing you can say will convince me otherwise. I’ll be the first to give the Raptors some love if they beat Orlando.
Shawn Marion is a product of the Phoenix system. He thrives in a gunning environment where there’s freedom to roam and is not the first or second option on offense. Believe it or not the guy has trouble creating his own shots, he’s got a nice little turnaround jumper which he doesn’t use often enough. He’s the greatest role player/slasher if you already have two other scorers on the team.
‘not very good’ i can accept. ’suck’ means something different, at least to me. hell, it’s not like the raps have been anything other than ‘not very good’ over the last couple weeks either…we’d like to think that the raps are head/shoulders above teams like the heat, but the reality is, they aren’t. the raps are better, but the gap ain’t nearly as wide as it was.
or should be…
The Heat will be looking to make a trade and improve their PG spot (listen to the Wallace interview). If they can do that and add a big body (say get Kaman somehow), they’ll be right there. They have some young pieces that can be used in a trade for teams looking for expiring contracts. I’d be surprised if they stand pat (pardon the pun) and see out the season using their current roster. Wade has a 30 year old’s body and the window of contention for them is shorter than one would think.
if wade has a 30 year old body, what does HO have?
Even MJ would defer to Bargs? MJ stands for Mike James right? Hmm. On second thought, I don’t believe Mike James would.
The Heat have a window for contention? Like, the Miami Heat? Jus’ checkin’.
Why is it after a Raptor loss, the comments section is flooded, but after a W, there’s but 10 or 11 “Raps”? Is it because losing is more painful than winning is enjoyable? Just an observation. Doubt I’m the first to point it out.
Bargs is growing by leaps and bounds. Looking forward to seeing how he stacks up against the Magic tomorrow night.
Badass, that’s always been the case for me. It’s weird. I guess its also because we can’t learn much from “expected wins” like these. I guarantee you most people were looking ahead to the Magic game even on Saturday.
And yes Darien, MJ would not defer to Bargnani. When he plays well I get very excited because you see the potential that’s there. That drive ‘n kick to find the open three?? Gold.
An outstanding TEAM win, with some good decisions by the coaching group, and game management by the coach who everyone wants fired after 8 games.
Game number 9 @ 5-4, with 73 to go, lets remember if Raptors win 48 as some experts are guessing they will also lose 30 more, which I estimate will create approx 3600 negative comments to this site, and calls for Mitchell to be fired and half the team replaced.
While disrespecting Miami, and assigning an automatic win to the Rap’s lets remember they have also won 5 games so far this year. There are no guaranteed wins in the NBA!!!
After complaining, bitching, etc about the Raptors poor rebounding and being last in the NBA, I find it hilarious that now everybody is downplaying a good rebounding game, as not having to work at it, as the boards just fell into O’Neals, Humphs, and Bosh’s hands because Miami had no size, or interest in competing.
How many of you experts were really expecting a 15ast, 15pts, effort from the back-up PGs who are so bad, and can’t play in the NBA, and the Rap’s must immediately sign a vet PG ???
I guess either you don’t know sports or you like miami.
The Raptors need to play Will Solomon instead of Jose
Calderon, Solomon is a good player watch him on youtube
overseas he be killing them.
They don’t give him credit or let him play enough cause if
they did he would shine.
He’s tuff, they need to play him more and they will win.
They got rid of Sam Mitchell, they need to get rid of the
new coach who looks like a scientist not a coach.
Watch Will Solomon on youtube and then close your mouth
you know nothing about ball.
I hope he keeps bargs in the SF spot he had an amazing game, surrised that he only had 12 points, plus i think he can handle Hedo there next game.
Sanders, what do you think of Hedo going at Bargnani again? You know what happened in the playoffs, what’s so different about his perimeter D now? Or are you just relying on JO to provide protection if/when Bargs gets beat.
Is it just me or did the Raptors use a drop off to Bosh near the top of the key to initiate their half-court offence way more than they do when Jose is playing? It seemed to take a bit of pressure off Solomon and was quite effective. Bosh had his usual drive or shoot options. If Solomon keeps playing I can see all of our bigs but Hump being effective with this option.
Oh, and on the flip side, while it’s Miami not Boston that we beat, I hope Jose took notes on pushing the ball a bit.
Kudos to Smitch for a game. They didn’t just insert Bargs into the lineup at the 3, they adjusted the offence for it. I’d still fire him at the end of the season and I’d still trade Bargs for a good wing player but more games like this and I’ll start rethinking.
I would play Bargs tight on Hedo, with the knowledge that JO has his back when he drives. I would also use the same strategy with Parker on Lewis, and keep Bosh always on Howard, never leaving him to double because our rotations are too slow and Howard would kill us with alley-oops and offensive put-backs. I would predict a lot of drive and kick from the magic to counter this strategy so it is crucial that the perimeter players play tight to the men. It is also important to have howard’s defender close because he becomes an attractive option to dump to once the help defender comes to stop the perimeter drive.
It’s a game of player match-ups, in the NBA … not just from numbers 1-5 but from numbers 1-9/10 in a team’s regular rotation and possibly even 1-12, if there happen to be little used individuals who are ‘the right fit’ versus a specific opponent at a particular point in time, e.g. Anthony Morrow [Denver Nuggets].
When the individual player match-ups are like these:
PG: Solomon – Chalmers
OG: Parker – Wade
SF: Bargnani – Marion
PF: Bosh – Haslem/Beasley
C: O’Neal – Beasley/Haslem
… there is no reason for Solomon, O’Neal, or Bargnani to have a poor game.
Quite the contrary, in fact. If they’re ever going to have a GOOD game, playing into a specific individual match-up like THIS one is precisely where they’ll NEED to shine, in order to help solidify the ‘playoff contender’ status of this current Raptors’ team.
Once they show they can do this … then, it’s another step up the ladder, if they can hold their own versus Orlando next game, with the likes of …
PG: Jameer Nelson
OG: Mickael Peitrus
SF: Hedu Turkoglu
PF: Rashard Lewis
C: Dwight Howard
awaiting them … supported by Key Bench Players like Johnson-A, Lee-C, Bogans-K, and Battie-T.
I think they need to play Solomon more often.
Calderon is garbage, Solomon handles business and want
to win but as soon as he make a mistake the media hates
on him, when Jose Calderon has a lot of turn overs and
they always have to keep taking him out.
Ukic is garbage, they won 3 straight games with Solomon,
is anybody seeing this.
Sam Mitchell did a good job by getting Solomon he is tuff.
I see what your saying arse, but i feel like bargs is being more active this year on D. I think he is the best match up we have against hedo, considering he burned us pretty badly in the playoffs last year, parker is too small and moon hasn’t shown he can play defense consistently. Plus the fact that I like JO backing him up in the paint and i like the fact that we have another 7 footer to toss at Dwight Howard to maybe get a better grip on the boards, which is generally how we get killed. We really don’t have anyone that matches up great against hedo.. i just like him better than our other options.
Seem to recall peolple worried about the Bargnani/ Marion matchup prior to the game.
YYYEEEAAAHHH OK Johnn19!!!
OUTSTANDING win? Seriously now…. we should have crushed this team, yet we play a seesaw game, with one good stretch, while if a few more things go right for the Heat near the end and wrong for us, like they were, they win the game.
Oh yeah, those coaching calls were pure genius. I mean, Jax and Red couldn’t have came up with those if they coached on the same team, really. Life time achievement awards all around, I say.
And WTF are you arguing about the rebounding numbers?? THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED!!! Like Arse said, it was like outrebounding 5 yrs olds. What? Now everyone on our team should be called the next Worm? Give me a f break. Put up those numbers against the elite rebounding teams in the NBA, then we have something to talk about.
We beat a team that we should have beat, for obvious reasons. Sorry people are not organizing parades and circle jerks after a meaningless win. That’s to you and Badass.
But if you organize the circle jerk, Flux is in :)
THANKS to the folks at RR for providing that TSN2 feed – I am royally pissed at Rogers and will try to milk this crappiness into free channels, discounts, or something. Surprised posters aren’t talking about this more. I was worried I’d have to endure Jonesy and ESmith.
Arse – maybe I missed it on an earlier post, but what’s your beef with the Celts? This has nothing to do with jealousy, does it? C’mon, be honest.
Shouldn’t be surprised by the massive rebounding differential in this game. Quick… name a rebounding Heat big other than Udonis Haslem. Time’s up. Loved seeing Bargs with confidence and finally breaking out of his rediculous pattern of alternating good and bad games.
Did anybody else notice Kap on Wade (single coverage) for a time there? Think that’s a clear f-up from Smitch? Or, do you think he’s resigned to the fact that Wade is going to score against anyone? Or, is he just a moron?
Tinman, thanks for spotting that.
Yeah, I was concerned about Marion taking Bargs to school but the Heat never looked for him, maybe it was because he just came back from injury and had that stupid mask on, I don’t know. Either way, it was never a factor.
Birdman: I hate the Celtics. I just do. They’re an arrogant bunch and success has come a bit too fast for them and they pretend like they’re the champs of the last 20 years. I can’t rationally explain it but I hate them.
Hi Flux, 90+ angry comments on Arse’s Raptors/Celtics post-game blog. A game they “should” have lost. Barely any action on this blog post which was a game they “should” have won. A bit of a discrepancy, no?
Besides, anyone who thinks the Raps should have crushed the Heat — a team that won in San Antonio a bit over a week ago — seriously overestimates the current state of the Raptors. If you really think the Raps should be destroying other .500 teams, maybe it is you who should hold off on calling that parade.
As for the rebounding, the Raps were the WORST rebounding team in the NBA going into the game. Even worse than the Heat. So I’ll gladly take yesterday’s rebounding advantage. If the Heat are the 5 year old nephew, than the Raps are the alcoholic, semi-retarded uncle who pinches your cheeks and creeps out your sister.
Hey Arsenalist, you should put all your podcasts and interviews on itunes man. Much more covenient man. You guys rule!
I dont know about all this talk of Miami sucking. They won 15 games last year I get it. But the tanked it. Hard. This team had a winning record prior to the game (even with a easy schedule it makes them respectable) and their going to be in the playoff mix. Should we have beat them? yeah. But I’m sure the vegas odds were alot closer than one would think according to prior posts…
Flux, I said an outstanding TEAM win, not an outstanding win. When the Raptors play as a TEAM, with everyone ( 7 players in double figures vs Heat ) contributing (@ least 4/5) they win, when only 3 or less are contributing they lose.
Badass, take pleasure out of what you will. Just don’t expect the rest to, or at least as much as you, that’s all.
Johnn19, what’s the difference between an outstanding win and an outstanding TEAM win? Regardless diverse player contribution, that win was hardly outstanding, IMO. In the end we pulled it out… where you not holding your breath just a little bit there, thinking here we go again? I mean, just a little, until AP go to shoot those FTs?
Different observations, depending on your eye and expectations, for everyone. I just don’t get how you can be surprised and find it hilarious that people find those rebounds fugazzi.
Johnn19 and Baadasss, how dare you post something positive about the Raptors on the RR message board!!! If you were true fans you would hate on the team at every possible moment after every game no matter if we win or lose, ’cause that’s what real “fans” do. Jeez, don’t you know the Raps totally suck but should win every game no matter…c’mom how can you not know that the sky is falling on Raptorland.
There is so much to hate about this team…
I hate the fact that this team brought in one of the top executives in the basketball world, who is slowly building up high caliber assets, after being a laughing stock organization from 1997-2006. That Brian Colangelo is such a worthless tool.
I hate the fact that Colangelo is BUILDING this young team from the inside out and from the neck down. Collecting high caliber players in the most talent-diluted positions in the NBA (1,4,5) is just pure folly. What’s he trying to do, put together a team that can truly compete in a year or two?…idiot!.
I hate that Colangelo may have been right about Bargnani. So let’s trade away a top prospect in one of the toughest positions to fill with quality in the NBA, for an average player in one of the easiest positions to fill. Giving up on a possible future star (for a short term fix that could easily be obtained in the off-season without losing assets that may or may not net a couple more wins on a team that is not ready to compete for a championship just yet), just makes so much sense.
I hate that 9 games into the season a team, that is going through a massive transition into a much more competitive play-off style of play, has not perfected their game yet. If I was coaching or was the GM I would have the team firing on all cylinders by now…trust me it’s so easy to incorporate a new offensive and defensive scheme in the best basketball league in the world.
I really hate the fact that, even though we are a young team that is still developing, we will likely end up as a top 10 team in the NBA by the end of the season. What an absolutely atrocious organization we have…just terrible.
hahahah awesome Raptoronto
hahaha
Well Raptoronto atleast we’re not the Miami Heat who are surely going to end up with the worst record in the league and have no talent whatsoever. I mean OKC Thunder should be licking their lips to get the Heat…
I don’t get the problem. People will obviously be more excited if we beat a good team than a bad one. I fully expected us to win last night and am happy we did, I’ll be even more happy if we beat orlando.
Raptoronto I don’t get your comment about BC, how is he a “top executive in the basketball world”? What’s he done that deserves that title? Also we’re not a young team.
flux – all 18? let’s say half of ‘em were, indeed, fugazzi…that’s still 9, a pretty respectable number (and just less than DOUBLE) bargs’ season high). i don’t recall anyone discrediting bosh’s 15 last week – rather, we were all creaming in our khakis over what a warrior he was, how he put the team on his back & carried them to victory over the mighty bobbies. i guess 12/4 & not looking like a total knob is worth more than 11/18 & doing ‘what he’s supposed to do.’
i’m not touching the BC debate. some think he’s a genius, others a dolt. as always, it’s probably somewhere in-between.
ATV – the CORE of the team (jose, bosh, bargs, and to a lesser extent, hump, ukic) are still in their early/mid-twenties. basically, the guys around whom the team will more than likely be built from a long-term perspective. none of the ‘old’ guys (AP, JO, will) will be around in ‘10 (or sooner). at 33, AP is their oldest player & likely in his last season. the other oldies are short-term / stop-gap guys. what would constitute a ‘young’ team?
Raptoronto, that was funny. I do believe that the comments are generally pretty negative. I also follow the team, but I know they are still a work in progress. I believe that we should sit pat this year, because there are way more options that are cheaper to obtain then right now; 9 games into the season. If we could sign either a 2/3, and if Bargs can turn the corner and become a legit, consistent big, we could trade JO at the trade deadline next season and get that quality 2 or 3 that we are all craving. The rest of our roster will be easy to fill as all we would need is one more backup 4/5, keep anthony parker or moon, and get a back-up 1 if Ukic isnt ready.
yertu – not all 18, but still all against a team of NBA midgets and one of the worst rebounding teams in the L.. so, you know what I mean. I’m not creaming my pants over something that was completely expected?
“we were all” ALL? : )
====
How dare anyone have a realistic view on this team and it’s current chances in the NBA playoffs, winning a chip after they were told that this is the best team ever and a real contender? If you were a true fan aka total homer your house would be decorated in Raptors paraphernalia, top to bottom, including exterior and drivway. You car would be painted Raptor purple, personalized plates included, with a huge Raptor on the hood. Your wardrobe would consist of nothing but Raptor gear, and you would wear it under you work cloths, if need be. A minimum of 5 Raptor tattoos would be required, you offspring would be named after former or current Raptors, the dog as well, and your spouse would be forced to legally change their name. Every Raptor loss would count as a learning experience and only all the positives can be mentioned. A loss is really never a loss, don’t you know that? In fact, this franchise has never lost a game! DUUUH!!! Anyone who says anything that a homer perceives as hate is clearly not a true fan.
Clearly, BC is THE top bball executive on the planet:
11 years as the Suns GM – O rings, O Finals, 2 Conference Finals, 1 2nd round exit, 6 1st round exits 2 yrs no playoffs
He traded Thunder Dan and 1st round pick for Hot Rod, traded Charles for dudes that were gone in 1 year, traded Kidd for Marbury, traded J.J. for Diaw, hired coaches that fought with players (Danny “Fingers” and Paul W.) etc… etc…
How do you spell WINNER? BC, baby!!
Yes, I hate that after 15 years of existence this team is in “building mode”. And how after 5 years Bosh is still learning, we have 2 rooks yet people call us “young and developing.” We’ve been that what? 15 years now? What’s that called the Clippers?
I hate how other teams cough Celtics cough Spurs cough Lakers add players who easily assimilate into their rotation while going on to chase rings.
No issues with Bargs.
That’s me … straight hating.. holding the expectation bar high, while others are holding theirs below their knees, looking for every excuse in the book and finding comfort in losses and reasons why this team is fugazzi.
ATV – all that needs to be said is that before BC took over we had one of the worst rosters in the league, we were one of the most poorly run organizations in the NBA, we were on the verge of CB4 pulling a McGrady, with very little assets in a city no player wanted to play in….we were heading for 10 years of lottery picks. BC knows how to develop assets from very little and build those assets into bigger ones while also developing the players he sees as cornerstones. For those that don’t see that we are light-years ahead of where we were post-BC and still heading upward, I don’t know what to say anymore…it’s numbing really.
To be fair him shouldn’t the questions be…“Why does Colangelo deserve NOT to be considered a top NBA executive after twice being recognized as such, by his peer’s, in the past four years?”.
42 yrs of NBA experience + 19 yrs of Euro experience = young and developing. Lovely. Tell me, do you order the BC Kool Aid by the case or barrel as its dropped off by the truck at your house? Do you just drink it or is it an IV deal? Oh and don’t let me forget to add the 2 1st round exit with the Raps under that impressive resume? This guy really is a winner, the winner or 1st round exits.
Edgar – The Heat should be mediocre for a long time ’cause Wade will pull a Marino and carry his team to the seventh or eight seed every year. Although, Miami will pull in free agents with ease simply because it’s Miami (nothing like a Boozer on Ocean Drive)…a luxury our Raps don’t have.
Dino G – and imagine what we get for JO next year if he comes full circle (as it appears he may) and develops back into a healthy top 10 center. Damn maybe we keep him and sign him at a much reduced salary extension (’11<) and use Garbo, AP and JG’s expiring contracts to fetch us a decent wing. Colangelo’s “art” is the flexibility he seems to give himself on every move.
No one is arguing BC is not a great salesman and knows how to make money for his employer. Bottom line, he’s won nothing except the salesman of the year award and we have made the 2nd round before him. Be prepared for the young and developing, we need time to gel and rebuilding talk for quite some time. But, if that’s your cup of tea.. pour another!
Since we are being fair… why is Sam M not considered a brilliant coach? I mean COY, this guy.
Raptoronto, Flux brought up some pretty solid facts. Might want to counter those…
I think BC’s done an average job as a GM. If you look at our talent level now and when Babcock left, its practically the same. The only major piece being switched is Charlie V for TJ Ford for Jermaine O’Neal. If you look at our cap space then versus now you’ll see that we’re worse off now. It’s the small shit that I don’t get about BC, like why he bought out Garbo and had his salary count against the cap. We sure could’ve used that money right now to fill that wing position, no?
Sounds a little like Real GM in these parts today…
Seriously? I was pretty stoked after this win. We won yes, but the way we won shows flexibility from a coaching and player standpoint. Even if we rewind to starting moon and the regular rotation tomorrow we’ll always have the option/threat of the 3 bigboys + Hump rotation if we ever need to mix it up. Its a clever and sofar very effective way to maximize talent on the floor. Its just one piece of the puzzle boys…
FLUX – if your views are a “realistic view on this team and its current chances in the NBA playoffs” AFTER 9 GAMES, you’re a bloody genius of a higher order.
On paper this is the most talented team we have had but who told you that this team was “the best ever and a TRUE contender”??? Please get me a quote from someone who stated that to you…please show me?
How did BC he get Barkley? In a steal of a trade…and how far did Barley take the Rockets when he was traded? Only past the first round once…he was getting old. Also, I can sit here and name five quality moves that BC made for every one bad you point out.
…and I’ll take Colangelo’s run in Phoenix any day. Did he make mistakes like every other GM? Yes. Did he fix them almost immediately? Sure did. He had two completely different teams in Phx that both were legit championship contenders…a couple of bogus calls going the right way and the teams he built might have had two crowns. That during a time if you did not have one of Jordan, Shaq, Hakeem or Duncan you weren’t winning jack-shit (for 17 years the Pistons were the only team without one of those guys to win a title…think about that). Seven 50 win seasons ain’t worth shit I guess!!!…but I’ll take the word of the other NBA executives who decided he was the best of ‘em TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
The Clippers, really, the Clippers…now you think we are like the CLIPPERS!! You know what, you’re right we were the Clippers…before Colangelo came around. Now that he’s here you expect us to be the Celtics, Spurs or Lakers! You are such a realist. …and how convenient, that each one of those teams lucked into their best player. The Celtics stunk for 10 years before McHale gift wrapped them a title, the Spurs have been riding the fortune of a tanked season that forced the NBA to change the rules of the draft and the Lakers have the best player on the planet who orchestrated his move to L.A. by refusing to sign with the team that drafted him.
You call me a homer because I like the progress of the team that I root for yet you’re the clown who expects “your team” to be a serious championship contender 2 seasons after being one of the worst teams in the league and in total turmoil. I stir my own kool-aid and it tastes a heck of a lot better than your piss and vinegar.
Edgar, there are three or four posters (pretty obvious who they are) that just spew negativity and crap on anything positive anyone has to point out about THE TEAM THEY SUPPORT. They’ve high-jacked the comments section so I don’t think you’re RealGM comment is far off (which is too bad because I like a couple of the blogers on here).
I like where this team is going and what Colangelo is building but I’m a homer for supporting him…hilarious. I don’t expect a championship caliber team for a couple of years but I can seeing it coming….god forbid.
In the Barkley days, Jerry ran the show, not “Brian”.
“Brian” had the title of GM but that meant as much as, oh, I don’t know….going to Denny’s breakfast buffet while you are fasting.
If nothing else, we may bear witness to what happens when a GM who has access to daddy’s wallet decides to pull up stakes and move to another country, only to be forced into a budget. I have always likened it to any business you enter into with family. Kind of like that summer job you had at your dad’s place of business. It all seemed like cookies and ice cream and then you entered the real world and WHAMO…what the hell happened?
Funny RealGM is mentioned here and how it seems to be turning into it here at times. Funny indeed.
Raptoronto,
Please identify the respective monikers of the individuals who you think are being ‘negative’ toward the Raptors.
Then we can proceed to dealing with the specific criticisms you have levied toward the viewpoints of such individuals without casting aspersions towards the wrong participants here.
In general … I’m a big fan of specificity.
Arse – c’mon, your jiving with me right? I don’t agree at all that Colangelo has been average but I respect your opinion enough to let your comment stand…but to say the ‘05-’06 line-up is the same as what we have now is ridiculous. This is what Colangelo inherited:
05-06 Morris Peterson
05-06 Mike James
05-06 Chris Bosh – not the Bosh we have today.
05-06 Charlie Villanueva
05-06 Matt Bonner
05-06 Joey Graham
05-06 Jose Calderon – no where near the Jose we have know.
05-06 Jalen Rose
05-06 Rafael Araujo
05-06 Pape Sow
05-06 Eric Williams
05-06 Darrick Martin
05-06 Loren Woods
05-06 Andre Barrett
This team really sucked!!! 2 first rounders in a crazy weak draft and cap space to sign who? No one wanted to play here. BC pulled some miracles out of his ass to get this team back to being respectable.
and Wayne Embry made the best move to give BC a nice welcoming gift.
re: a comparison with RealGM
Funny …
1. I have yet to see a ‘Locked Thread’ on THIS fine Raptors’ web site.
2. I have yet to see a member/poster/contributor ‘banned’ from THIS fine Raptors’ web site.
3. I have yet to see a comment ‘removed’ from THIS fine Raptors’ web site.
4. I have yet to see any charges of basic ‘unfairness’ levied toward anyone here on THIS fine Raptors’ web site.
… so, I’m not sure I understand how this comparison works at all.
Whoever thinks Brian ‘Collars’ Colangelo is an average GM, and has done an average job with the Raptors deserves a slap. Come here boy…SLAP!!!!
I definitely think the Raptors have a chance to win a championship, even as early as this year. Don’t laugh. I have inside sources. It could happen. But only if one things happens…
…VC!!!!!
We need Vince Carter. You all know it. I know it. Let’s do it. The guy has talent, heart, passion, limitless game.
VCVCVCVCVCVCVCVCVCVCVCVCVC
AltRaps …
Actually it would not be accurate for someone … say, like Raptoronto, or Flux, for that matter … to assert that Bryan Colangelo was the Suns’ GM during Barkley’s tour of duty, in Phoenix … because he was NOT the GM of those teams.
Anyone who trys to tell you that Bryan Colangelo should somehow be given ‘credit’ for the construction of the Barkley-led Suns’ team which lost in the NBA Finals to the Bulls, as the GM of that team, is either (i) intentionally attempting to deceive you, or (ii) making a mistake in memory.
Khan – how about we get one of those indivduals out of the way by having you answer that question for me. Tell me what you think of Bryan Colangelo and Raptors management?…in 200 words or less.
AltRaps – Embry made some nice moves to clear space but I’m convinced Colangelo was in on it. Colangelo is here because of Embry and Embry is still here because of BC.
Yes, current chances based on current performance and roster in light of what it actually takes to win a chip. Key word current.
On paper this is the most talented team we’ve had? Who told you that? BC? Or you believe this yourself? And with that bench, this is what you believe? Fair enough. Sorry, I disagree. And it was BC who stated this team will be a contender, my point was that the majority of fans believe this is the 2nd best team in the East and we are going to the Finals (right after the JO trade). Anyone who believes otherwise is a hater and spews negativity every chance they get. You contend that anyone who does not post a comment showered with positive words and praise, regardless of what is going on with the team, is a “hater”.
Chuck was at the end of his day, no argument there. Point was, look at the players he got in return, how long were they there, and what they ended up doing later on for other teams. And no one is denying his other moves;it’s the end result that matters. Last time I checked his hands are ring less and I posted his resume.
You like BC’s run in PHX? Fine, I don’t. I really don’t care for teams that rack up 50 plus seasons to be shown the door in the 1st round or that never had a chance at anything because they didn’t play defense. Remember that little thing? Wins chips, I hear. And those funny little rebounds make a difference, but that may just be a rumor. I dunno. You wanna take comfort in those excuses you mention, be my guest.
I have always expected this team to be like those – built on a tradition and expectations around the team that says rings or nothing else. For some reason, however, the fanbase has been brought up to believe that playoff appearances are fine while anything above that, like the 2nd round or more are just cherries on top. That’s what the other teams have done (?) no, they built organizations and traditions that have them “luck out” with players. It’s what makes them refuse to sign with teams like the Raptors while wanting to play for them. Regular season records and anything but rings means nothing. Ask Pop, ask the Lakers, ask the Mavs how they like their 62 game season. Ask Joe D and the Pistons how the feel about those EC appearances. In the end the regular season means nothing. Every game I watch, I measure as a playoff performance, and none thus far, would win a single game in the beast that is THE SHOW. So forgive me for not jumping on the top 10 team in the L train.
====
I’d like a definition of hijacked as I was under the impression that it meant people discuss things other then the topic at hand.
And I would love a RealGM atmosphere definition, as I was under the impression that it meant people just writing: “You suck, Raps rule” with no explanation. Does disagreement in opinion mean you are not allowed to post or that you cannot type something that is not written in a positive light regarding the team? To avoid what the majority of reads are complaining about, it may be wise to put up rules for posting or something.
Every profile I have read about the man said he was the GM for 11 years in PHX. From 94-95, I believe. Maybe I am being lied to.
And for the record I never wrote anywhere he had anything to do with Chuck and the Finals run. I only wrote he traded the man.
BC cant assemble a team. Had we not signed kapono, gramham, parker, hassan adams, solomon, humphries, moon, garbajosa – thats how much. 20 million?
Allon garbage players. Now take that money and we could have signed Pau Gasol, Bynum, Iguadala, Josh Smith. Fuck – corey magette. Add drafting brandon Roy or Rudy and we could be conferance finals champs by now guarantee.
And How in Gods Name do you sign a fucking Australian , wait wait it gets better……..
Who has an enlarged heart…..
not only that you give the guy a 2 year contract?
This GM is so atrocious why has no one called him out already
Raptoronto, I’m not sure what you mean by “not the Jose/Bosh of now”. As I alluded to in my previous comment, our two best players are from the Babcock era and our third best player has been acquired directly because of talent acquired in the Babcock era. These are hard facts, not opinion.
I’m not biased against Colangelo, I appreciate him taking the Raptors into two playoff series but I also criticize him for not recognizing the weaknesses each of those two teams at the trade deadlines. I can also criticize the moves of last summer where I don’t think the Raptors improved one single iota even though we had some pretty obvious weaknesses. Some people just don’t like the JO trade for their reasons, I happen to think it was a move worth of at least a B because it addressed 1 of our 2 big weaknesses (interior D, wing scoring/D) and the only reason its not an A is because is put us in a financial straight-jacket for the rest of the summer.
I liked the signings of Parker, Garbajosa and the acquisition of Delfino but at the same time I don’t like the fact that we wasted Garbajosa in the end, lost Delfino for nothing and refuse to see Parker’s issues. The man is washed up, he’s not the player he was last year and definitely not the player he was when we won the Atlantic.
I’m not going to take credit away from Colangelo by playing the weak East card but his detractors can point to that and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. I think this year is a lot different, if we can finish as a top 4 seed in the EC, I would give BC an extension the day after the season ends.
Then there’s the draft and this is where people either love him or hate him. Fact #1: We should’ve picked Brandon Roy. But hey, shoulda, coulda, woulda, we got Bargnani and I’m willing to stick to my gun. Others have trouble “forgiving” Colangelo for not using this pick to its full potential or generally speaking not drafting well. I can see their gripe.
I’m a fair guy man, I suggest everyone look at the drafting record, salary cap moves, how signings/trades fit the needs of the team before formulating an opinion of BC. And most of all – as I’ve been preaching over at arsenalist.com all summer – wait for this year to be over before judging BC. It’s going to be his third crack at the post-season and if it results in another first round exit, then you can start burning his effigies (and Mitchell’s).
And RT, the point about those teams was their assimilation of players into their roster, and their expectations and goals never changing. Whereas, when the Raptors acquire players, people are fed the “we need x amount of years/time to gel” line and instantly lower their expectation level.
Why do I hear this every time I post a comment? : )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28ow4TLMTqM
I’m the trouble starter, punkin’ instigator
I’m the fear addicted, danger illustrated
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You’re the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m the bitch you hated, filth infatuated – yeah
I’m the pain you tasted, well intoxicated
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You’re the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m the self inflicted, mind detonator – yeah
I’m the one infected, twisted animator
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You’re the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter
LOL
In 2010 we need the Cap to resign Bosh. and Oneail for say 8-9 mil
So were back to where we started like in 2006
4 years later and were still trying to build around calderon and Bosh
were gonna end up with bellineli and gallinari and pretsis w.e his name.
BC is tryign to build the first ever european super team in the NBA. MLSE will make money win or loose
Flux – The simple fact is that before BC got here the Raps were awful. He managed to get them back to respectability quite quickly, which was no easy feat. When he got here the Raps had one budding star a point guard with some potential and some cap room. Hardly much to work with is it? He signed some useful euro vets made a couple great trades and suddenly the Raps were a team that was competitive on most nights. You could argue that a lot of the ground was done before he got here, but he still needed to make the right moves to take advantage of the situation. Has BC made some mistakes? Of course he has, but he’s also made some pretty savvy moves, so cut the guy some slack.
Also please stop saying that BC is only interested in making money for MLSE, it’s insulting and clearly false. You have absolutely no evidence to support that statement. If fact, if you pay attention to his demeanor during games it’s obvious how badly he wants to win.
Sure, he wants to win. Don’t all gm’s do?
But wanting a championship and actually doing it are 2 different things.
And so far judging from his past and MLSE past, a 1st round appearance is all that is needed to satisfy all.
Awful in comparison to what is going on now? What our fantastic playoff record? Our fake “the East sucked so bad an NBDL team would have racked up those wins” regular season record? Yeah, those Euros have been really useful.
Besides the fact that’s what every GM for every company do? One word – PROFITS. And the worried face you see has nothing to do with the wins or losses. He sees those as hits on his reputation more then anything.
Ask yourself why he chose to work here? Is it because regardless of what happens no one will care cuz its the Raps? Or something else? What do you think.
Arse, you know what’s great about Carlos Delfino? Someone just pointed out this to me on MSN — The 2009 and 2011 second round picks we gave the Pistons for him! FAAAN TASTIC that BC.
Yeah Fluxland is the only one here with common sense
lol
Colangelo watches the games from the sidelines so he looks good too the fans even though he was brought in just to make the 1st round and nothing more. His main thoughts are making coin for MLSE.
A real gm does the following:
1. You draft a real player with your #1 pick, not a fucking 5 year project.
2. You fire the coach immediately after arriving. And you could have had Van Gundy, Rick Adelman etc.
3. You build a team who are 3 dimensional ( shoot, defend, rebound) you do not sign jumpshooters who are afraid of contact.
4. You do not draft players with Heart conditions and wont ever play an NBA game. ( That’s like eating out a girl you met at Lot 332 knowing she has hepitistis C yet continues to fuck her)
5. You dont hire an assistant GM from Europe who knows fuck all about the NBA game. You hire an up and coming exec who is NBA knowledgeable and can contribute asap.
6. You try your best to get into the draft and move up and nab a future all star if you can. you dont get an erection because u have a 41st pick.
Colangelo has failed in each category listed. and its a fact.
And remember this fellas
Any new GM with cap space and #1 pick, Bosh, Calderon, Villanova, Peterson, Mike James would have brought respectability here. And could make us a contender. And I dare anyone here to challenge the fact.
Just saying those names were better then we are now.
Raptoronto,
———————-
re: Khan – how about we get one of those indivduals out of the way by having you answer that question for me. Tell me what you think of Bryan Colangelo and Raptors management?…in 200 words or less.
———————-
I would be happy to oblige your request …
once you’ve taken the time and shown the courtesy of supplying an answer first to the specific question which I asked of you – in comment #47 – seeking clarification of the observation/statement/claim you made in comment #45 [quoted below]:
======================
[from comment #45]
Edgar, there are three or four posters (pretty obvious who they are) that just spew negativity and crap on anything positive anyone has to point out about THE TEAM THEY SUPPORT. They’ve high-jacked the comments section so I don’t think you’re RealGM comment is far off (which is too bad because I like a couple of the blogers on here).
I like where this team is going and what Colangelo is building but I’m a homer for supporting him…hilarious. I don’t expect a championship caliber team for a couple of years but I can seeing it coming….god forbid. – by Raptoronto
======================
If we each do our part … in the order of responsibility … then, things should work out just fine.
In the link with the Peddie interview… the man says: “I’m a born salesman at heart” PRICE. EFFIN. LESS. I cannot contain myself. Tell me Soreal.. what business do you think MLSE and the person they hired are in? The chip winning or money making one? Listen to the whole thing and educated yourself. It’s all right there.. listen between the lines and see if you can sort out the BS from “the salesman”. If not, let me know, I got a bottle of air I wanna sell ya. Thanks to RR for that link. Just PRICE LESS.
Flux,
You know the beauty of it all, from the perspective of a ‘profiteering outfit’ like MLSE?
Very few, if any, ‘Members of the Jonestown compound’ ever think that s/he is being ’sold down the river’ prior to ‘Final Judgment Day’.
Thus, when the end does come, for those specific patrons, it is relatively quick and painless, in the grand ’scheme’ of things … while the ‘profiteers’ continue to roll-on … Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching, etc.
Fluxland you are obviously an idiot. Anyone who thinks that BC is only here to make money for MLSE and not win a championship is a dummy. Of course he wants to make profits-that’s his and every other freaking gm in this leauges job buddy. But it is not his only (or main job), which is winning championships. So if you want to go ahead and call him an idiot or a bad gm solely based on the fact that he has not brought Toronto any championships than that is your prerogative. I choose to base my opinions on him as a gm from the fact that he took this team from garbage and made it respectible. Did he make a few poor choices? Sure he did, they ALL do. Hindsight is 20/20. Am I upset that we haven’t won a championship in the last 2 years? Of course, so are 28 other teams. Does that mean that I should base my opinions solely on that? I bet that there are a hell of a lot of GM’s that would kill to have his track record over the span of their careers. It takes time to build championship teams and the man has only been here for two years, lets see what we do this year and go from there….
I agree with the idea that MLSE is all about maximizing profits, its blindingly obvious to any fan with even the smallest knowledge of the Leafs and Raps. Its clear from the constant rasing of ticket prices, concessions and the continual poor quality (in terms of championship potential) that MLSE heart is not championship glory first.
Besides that, i have to respectfully disagree with others who say the talent level is comparable to that of when BC acquired the squad. Note, its not what another GM would have done during BC’s time, but people claimed it is the same talent level as THAT TEAM AT THAT PRESENT TIME.
First off, bosh and calderon are greatly improved from that time. JO as our c is much better than loren woods, bonner or araujo (oh god). Humpharies is a much better back-up than those three. Our wings were rose and peterson, and they are better than parker and moon, but not significantly. Now our rotation containted villaneva, graham, sow, etc., with kaps, graham, hump, we are much better than them.
I, however, do agree that BC has done an average job with the assets he had coming in, but realisticly with respect to cap space, which free agent wants to come to Toronto in the 05 season? We would have had to overpay for any quality free agrent. The draft had no legit first pick, it was a toss-up between any of those guys. (roy,gay,bargs,alridge)
Finally, the east was significantly weaker than the East of today. We need to take that context into considering when comparing the results of the respective teams.
my bad with the horrible sentance structure. Its late for me and i’m tired
Khandor… very nice. Sad, really. I hear those members are called “true” fans, as well.
Villain, never have I called the man an idiot. His ultimate goal may be to attempt to win a chip, but his MAIN and primary job is to make money. Go ahead listen to the interview. It’s all right there, I don’t have to say anything. That pain you Soreal sees on BC’s face is not the agony of losses, it’s the potential profit losses shrinking.
If you want to base your judgment solely based on his Raptor time, go ahead. Like a “wizard” once told me, it may be a good idea to look at his entire resume. People praise him for the teams he assembled, yet his resume shows how far those teams got and what they accomplished. Atrocious, no? Anything someone should put a lot of confidence in? Not IMO.
Agreed, let’s see what happens.
for the idiot who says it takes time to build a team..ummmm
Cleveland drafted James 5 years ago and thus far have reached the finals and the 2nd round a few times. Now there top in the rankings and have a bunch of expirings this year. That team is going places. New Orleans, Atlanta, Indiana all these great young teams that are really going to make a push within 2-3years.
And yeah Colangelo is a con artist. He’s a manipulator. He tries to sell the fans that this team will be a competitor.
I think he knew that 47 game season would be successful. Perfect to get all of toronto to support the team. now hes got us hooked he can put out a mediocre product
Do not compare Cleveland’s success to ours. Their success is solely dependent on drafting LeBron and his development as a genuine super fucking allstar. You put him on ANY team in this league and they rocket to contention.
Yeah but those players are fucking “good and NBA Proven” I don’t see anyone there from the d-league or chock when they face an elite team.
they play defense, they rebound and now there trying to be more offense oriented.
BTW …What happened with Atlanta and Boston in the playoffs last season? I heard it went to 7 games and well…I could be wrong.
Same shit as the Leafs here. Mediocre product and you spotlight it to the masses and convince the fans that there intentions are to win a chip, yet nothing changes.
Brian Burke wont come to the Leafs either Hes going to Boston or Chicago. Every exec hates Richard Peddie that’s a fact. From what I heard, MLSE don’t like outsiders. They want to run all there teams as a family.
And the only reason they love Bosh is because he puts asses in the seats and makes them money. Keep thinking that he’s being used as the franchise to win a championship.
Take Bosh out, lower profits. and low attendance
Have you followed the Cavs for the past few seasons? Ilgauskas is great, but pushing bronze age carbon dating. Wallace is washed up. What did they have before him? Larry Hughes? There was a website called heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com for god’s sake. Eric Snow? Damon Jones? Daniel Gibson came up big, but no one was really expecting that of him. This is not a real supporting cast. If we had these guys in Toronto, we’d be 13th in the East 2 years ago instead of ONEandDONE. (TM) It was Lebron, pure and simple.
Joey are you kidding me? Of course it takes time to build championship teams you freaking dildoe.
Okay, tomorrow I will hand you the GM job for the Minnesota Timberwolves or lets say Oklahoma City Thunder, when will I get my first chmpionship hotshot? I expect it that same year…whateva.
What’s with all of the conspiracy theories about attendance and the Leafs? Can we say paranoid much? The doctor called and your meds are in stock again….hehe
Minnesota and Oklahoma didn’t have Chris Bosh, Calderon, cap space, #1 pick, and a rookie of the year. We did so it should have been easier. We had the all the tools ready. Educate yourself.
Your one off those cunts who will get brainwashed by these execs telling you that there trying to win a championship yet you still watch leafs games. I haven’t watched 1 full hockey game since 2004. Why the fuck would I support a team that just wants to make money?
So how long does it take to become an elite team? If you know what your doing it can take 1 season, that one special trade.
If your a Colangelo it takes 15 years too. What happened in Phoenix btw where are the rings?
Joe Dumars takes over Detroit and there in the Con finals or Finals last 7 years straight and there just getting warmed up now.
How about them Jays? riccardi’s 5 yr plan turns too 8 years lol
I guess we should give him more time to follow his plan
BC = Riccardi of Basketball
To be fair, Minnesota did get a bunch of young talent for the Kevin Garnett trade (Al Jefferson is a growing young star not unlike Bosh) and had the opportunity to draft Mayo – but they traded that for Love – I hope it’s worth it. Anyway, they are headed back to the lottery again, so now might not be such a bad time to be a new GM in Minnesota.
And please, go read heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com Although the guy doesn’t write about hughes now that’s he’s Chicago’s problem, the archives are genuinely priceless.
One look at the proposed trade for Larry Hughes and Jason Kidd, and you will know I was telling the truth.
lmao…flux needs to get out of his parents basement….either that or grow pubes.
Joey
You sound like a ten year old.
Raptoronto,
Tic-toc, tic-toc, tic-toc …
Im right though. Should I give Colangelo 41 years like It has for the leafs to win a chip? You need to put some pressure here otherwise this team is a treadmill team for the next 10 years and beyond. Bosh will leave probably and if that happens then what? Oneil will leave too and Bryan will use the cap space to sign European players. Then the excuse, well we aquired new pieces and we need time to jell and build chemistry. Give us another 5 years.