The Difficulties of July 1 - What Does Colangelo Do Until Then?

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Apr 22, 2010 8:00 AM EDT in Feature Stories

July 1, 2010.

The significance of that date is no lost on NBA personel or fans alike.

It's the day that all suitors come to woo the likes of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and the Raptors own Chris Bosh.

I don't envy Bryan Colangelo this summer. Why? He has the unenviable task of trying to read someone else's mind and has to plan accordingly.

Chris Bosh has been steadfast in his desire to test the waters of free-agency this summer. He and the other big name members of the 2003 draft (save for Carmelo Anthony) signed extensions with their respective teams which included a player-option for the 2010-2011 NBA season. The deals were one-year shorter than the maximum allowed under the NBA's current Collective Barganing Agreement. The result?

One of the biggest free-agent crops in years.

Having offered CB4 an extension during the season (declined) Colangelo is now left with a decision to make - approach the off-season trying to do everything in his power to convince Bosh to re-sign, or, in the alternative, make moves assuming Bosh will be elsewhere.

There is no middle ground and this decision needs to be made now. Constructing a team with Chris Bosh as its cornerstone is very different from constructing a team without him.

Let's take a look at the two scenarios.

Scenario 1 - No Chris Bosh

Without Chris Bosh it is hard to know what team the Raptors will have next season. As far I can tell the Raptors will get little in return in a sign-and-trade and it's possible that after the deal Colangelo will have little room to work with, in particular if below the cap and without the MLE to work with.

Obviously if CB4 leaves there is a mammoth hole the rebounding department and the team will have no-one who can draw or demand a consistent double-team. Strong rebounding teams have success. So do teams that can create mismatches and force defenses to adjust. Without Bosh the Raps have neither.

Rebounders, in particular guys who can grab 10+ rebounds a game, don't exactly fall off trees. Players who grabbed 10 rebounds a game last year?

13 (not including Earl Barron who did so while playing 7 games for the Knicks). Not exactly readily available.

If Bosh should walk they will need to replace 25% of the teams rebounds per game or perhaps even more telling, 50% of the starting front-courts production on the glass.

Suddenly the need to find a rebound hog becomes increasingly important.

Also, unless Colangelo can unearth a player who demands a constant double team, the Raptors are going to be a breeze to defend. For all of the offensive punch this team has, without Bosh making space and creating open looks for others I can see a major drop-off coming in terms of offensive potency.

Without Bosh the entire offensive philosophy - one that no-one can complain about - will need to be adjusted and that's no easy task.

Of course without Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu's desire to have the ball in his hands more often will be met. It is difficult to forecast what the results of this could be but it would provide Hedo with the opportunity to make good on his public apology and have a bounce back season. If anything it should help increase his value and perhaps make both him and his contract more appealing to other teams.

Further, without Bosh the Raptors will actually have a true opportunity to determine what Bargnani is all about. Can he be a franchise guy? It's unlikely if his past performances without CB4 are any indication, but without Bosh commanding the ball 20+ times a game Bargs will have every opportunity to prove his worth.

The other big missing ingredient for this team if Bosh is not around? Someone who can regularly get to the free-throw line. Without Bosh this team rarely got to the charity stripe.

If Colangelo forecasts a team without CB4 the order of priorities for this off-season should look something like this (in order of importance):

1. Rebounding
2. Toughness
3. Defenders
4. Shot Creator/Free-throws
5. Stability at the PG position
6. Veteran Leader

(*Note that these are not mutually exclusive. For example, defenders and stability at the PG position are connected).

Trying to do address all of these needs is going to be a difficult task and it will take time. It is a long laundry list (perhaps too long). If this is the forecasted scenario BC needs to get to work right now, even if it is just exploring opportunities with the teams who are currently not playing. Moves will need to be made sooner rather than later.

Scenario 2 - With Chris Bosh

If Colangelo assumes Chris Bosh can be convinced to re-sign with the Raptors the team needs shift and priority number one goes from rebounding to finding some big-time help on the perimeter, in particular on the defensive side of the ball. Despite Hedo's signing last summer this team still lacks talent at both the 2/3 both offensively and defensively, either because of "fit" or lack of experience. Although one of DeMar DeRozan or Sonny Weems could take the next step this upcoming season neither has proven to be a consistent threat thus far.

Keeping Bosh also means that Hedo Turkoglu is, at best, the third banana on this team. With Bosh and Bargs demanding the ball just how much can Hedo improve if his game requires him to dominate the ball?

The help on the perimeter will also need to come from rectifying the PG situation. This season it became clear that Jose Calderon is too much of a defensive liability to play starters minutes and if you take Colangelo at his word during the press conference he wants a PG that can average 10+ assists a game - Jack does't exactly fit the bill.

Franchise can see Colangelo trying to move at least one of Jack or Calderon. I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility that he moves both.

If Colangelo forecasts a team with CB4 the order of priorities for this off-season should look something like this (in order of importance):

1. Defenders
2. Toughness
3. Shot Creator
4. Stability at the PG position
5. Veteran Leader
6. Rebounding

Frankly this is a much more do-able list which is not surprising given the retention of an All-Star power forward. The Raptors offense is a well oiled-machine as is and with a few solid defenders and a change in attitude then its possibly things could be fixed rather quickly.

The problem is, at least it would appear, that Colangelo is not going to have the luxury of simply making small tweaks on the grounds that Bosh will be back. Should he do so and Bosh walks there is much less time to fix all of the a forementioned issues and it could leave this team in quick the predicament.

There is however a third option. Colangelo could always approach Bosh and his agent and work with them to come up with an off-season plan that satisfies all of Chris Bosh's criteria on the understanding that if certain things or done, Bosh will re-up.

That approach is rife with issues, let alone unlikely as I simply can't see Colangelo bending to the will of Bosh to such a degree. What if Colangelo can only achieve part of what Bosh wants? What if after meeting the list of demands Bosh decides to go elsewhere none the less? If you think that's unheard of just ask Cleveland fans about Boozer breaking his promise. Is it right to give this sort of 'say' to a player who is not good enough to carry a team into, let alone deep into, the playoffs?

No matter what happens Colangelo will need to do a lot of work before July 1. By then he will need to have come up with more reasons for Bosh to stay then simply more money, and if he decides to operate on the grounds that Bosh won't be back he needs to start working on that long laundry list.

I think we will know which way Colengelo thinks this is going to play out well before the July 1 date is upon us - and so will Chris Bosh.

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Comments

All Colangelo needs to do to solve these problems and get Bosh to stay

is arrange a sign-and-trade of Turkoglu and Calderon for Wade.

That would leave BC lots of time to perfect cold fusion and negotiate world peace.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Apr 22, 2010 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

by siggian on Apr 22, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

We can add BC and MG as filler.

by bigweeze on Apr 22, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Sounds nice but...

We would also have to include a job opportunity for a GM, because any GM that would make that deal from Wade’s side would likely be fired shortly after.

by PNUTZ on Apr 22, 2010 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

HE'D BETTER NOT S&T FOR JERMAINE O'NEAL

by bigweeze on Apr 22, 2010 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

for this years draft pick?

by Jenge on Apr 22, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I think i would pee myself laughing if he did. Then cry for a year.

by McGateway on Apr 23, 2010 2:10 AM EDT up reply actions

"he wants a PG that can average 10+ assists a game - Jack does't exactly fit the bill."

Calderon could possibly do that. But it looks like we’ve already ruled him out.

So our plan must be to secure one of Nash, Paul, or Deron. All we need to do is get one of em. How hard could that be? All that requires is being 33% successful!

by bigweeze on Apr 22, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

note

actually – you have to be 100% successful, 1 time out of 3 ;)

by utes on Apr 22, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Why didn't we push harder for Gerald Wallace again?

When he was on the trading block shortly after Larry Brown came on as coach. Gerald Wallace by himself addresses 4-5 of the 6 of the off-season priorities (creates shots in transition, but not in half-court, and not yet a recognized veteran leader).

So – who else in the NBA is a Gerald Wallace type?

Tier One (Current Starters/Key Players):
> Josh Smith? (definitely not available)
> Andre Iguodala? (available if you want his contract)
> Jeff Green? (probably not available)
> Andray Blatche? (probably untouchable for the Wizards)
> Caron Butler? (probably not available)

Tier Two (Bench/Role Players, Unproven, or otherwise Tainted):
> Josh Howard? (probably available, but a headcase and injured)
> Mickael Pietrus? (probably available, but best as a bench/role player)
> Matt Barnes? (might work, but unpredictable, best as role player)
> Anthony Tolliver? (showed some signs this year)
> Terrence Williams? (showed a few signs in his rookie year)
> Rasual Butler? (best as role player)

If I’m Colangelo:
A) I try to sign&trade Bosh for a package including a good young starter like Jeff Green or Andray Blatche.
B) I try to trade Calderon and expiring contracts (Banks) to a team looking to clear cap space (i.e. for an overpaid player like Iguodala)
C) Go for the blockbuster with Bargnani + any other pieces to a team also looking to blow things up like Golden State.
D) As a last resort, I try to pick up a Josh Howard/Matt Barnes with the MLE after every other team blew their FA money on Lebron/Wade/Joe Johnson/Amare/Boozer/others.

by B.C. on Apr 22, 2010 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

The biggest problem is Bosh - and yet the biggest problem is not Bosh

I honestly think that Colangelo has done everything humanly possible to keep Bosh here;

- Brought in one of Bosh’s best friends in Jarret Jack
- Added a SF of at least average ability (Turkoglu)
- Attempted to address; rebounding (Evans), defense (Wright), and back up PG (Jack)

So whether or not Bosh stays, I can’t say as I pin it on any failure of Colangelo.

More to the point I expect that given the relationship that Colangelo has established with Bosh, that if Bosh does want to leave Colangelo will be able to get a sign and trade deal to maximize the return to Toronto.

(If he has to go, I pick Philly in a sign and trade that brings us back Iguodala – I love that kids game and it rights an historic draft wrong).

For Bosh it would mean the bigger/longer contract, and for the Raptors it would mean at least some assets are coming back.

The truth is, I think he is staying. Its the bird in the hand, he gets more money, and he has a GM who is willing to blow things up when they don’t work and start over.

For me the elephant in the room is Bargnani. I have continually been one of his biggest supporters, but the truth is the guy is simply all offense (and not very efficient offense for a center), a decent man on man defender, and atrocious at rebounding. Its this last element that is killing his potential.

So assuming Bosh stays, my recommendation is to ship Bargs to;

Golden State for Biedrins
Minnesota for Love
NY for Lee
Portland for Batum+ a pick

etc.

If Wages of Wins means anything (and I think it does) then Bargs has got to go. Not just because despite his offense he is average, but because despite his offense he contributes losses rather than wins. He is not just below average or replacement level, he is so bad Toronto improves simply by not having him on the floor. So find a GM blinded by the scoring stats, preferably one with a player whose contract matches up reasonably well with Bargs, and pull the trigger.

Last but not least, Turk, for all his warts, wasn’t terrible (WoW) has him as an average SF (albeit aging), which was an improvement over every other SF we’ve had the last few years except for Marion.

by CamHilton on Apr 22, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

With the exception of Golden State because they are unpredictable, why would any of those teams trade those players for Bargnani? Love, Lee and Batum are way more valuable and those teams know it.

Honestly people, can you please try and think about the likelyhood of a trade from the other teams perspective before suggesting it. It has to make sense for that team to make the move.

by McGateway on Apr 23, 2010 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Sigh. Green might be doable as OKC might interest Bosh but Washington and Philly are unlikely destinations for Bosh (Philly of course could come in as a third team in a sign and trade to make the numbers work). Everyone has to remember that Bosh has to agree to the sign and trade, the Raptors cannot just sign and then trade him to any team they want.

by McGateway on Apr 23, 2010 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Can people forget about David Lee!!!!!!!

He is unrestricted!!!!

Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Apr 23, 2010 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Excellent article

Players aside this is what’s go to change

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/bill_lankhof/2010/04/21/13673966.html

Wright, after an embarrassing 35-point loss to Charlotte earlier this year, looked around the dressing room and noted: "You’ve got guys in here eating popcorn, joking around before the game. And we go out there and lose by 40. It’s a direct result of what’s going on before the game. Guys not coming in with the right mind frame."

by axl t on Apr 22, 2010 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve been saying this all year, and that’s another reason why the coach has got to go. We should have kept Mitchell, at least he cared about playing the players that cared. That’s probably why he got fired. Really good article.

by PNUTZ on Apr 22, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree in a sense, I just thought at the time they’d tuned mitchell out. Who knows, really…

by axl t on Apr 22, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea they probably tuned him out because they didn’t like hearing that they sucked even though they did suck.

by PNUTZ on Apr 22, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL Amen brother, Amen...

by MAS11 on Apr 22, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I Ditto that

by raptor fan 4 life on Apr 23, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

PNUTZ and AXL – i just went on a tirade below thinking no one had put any blame on Triano – so shout out for doing it well before me. Triano is a bum of a coach and I gladly would’ve waited to see what Sam would’ve done with a retooled roster

by bp3isclassic on Apr 23, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Ed Davis (UNC) in the draft?

Interesting that NBADraft.net has the Raptors taking Ed Davis at #12.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2010mock_draft

If you look at his profile on that site, it mentions “he can certainly add 20-25 lbs and be a finesse type of 4 a la Chris Bosh”… should we be reading anything in that?

by B.C. on Apr 22, 2010 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

nbadraft.net

and the like only rank players based on talent – not necessity. Draftexpress has us taking Donatas Motjejunas, whose NBA comparison is ANDREA BARGNANI. So that’s definitely not happening. And as far as Ed Davis putting on some pounds, he better ‘cuz he’s rail thin. They’ve just put him there because they feel he’s the 12th-13th best player in the draft. I wouldn’t read into it too much.

by HDave on Apr 22, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Drafting a Bargnani clone might be my breaking point. You might need to find a padded room for me if that ever happens.

by Mistafitz on Apr 22, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe we can trade for Danilo Gallanari too, and have 3 players who are 6’8"+, shoot too many 3’s, and can’t rebound.

by B.C. on Apr 22, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

i think Free agency and sign and trade isnt where the answer is

we need to look at getting a higher draft pick

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 22, 2010 5:45 PM EDT reply actions

apology

at least the raptors apologized for sucking so much

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 22, 2010 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

THE PERFECT GUY

BC should try and get Baron Davis from the Clipps he would be the perfect 10 assist guy plus he can score 20 plus any night. The only problem is who would he package to off set the 13Mil that BD will be making next year. oh I got it Turk and Jose that’s 14Mil right there and there you go gentlemen Raptors problem solve on a number of level. we would finally have a guard that is a Tier 1…check this line up.
pg……… Jack backup resign Banks
sg……… Davis…………..Derozen/Weems
c ……….Bargs………….Draft/the new guy
pf………..Bosh…………..Evans
sf……….Wright………….Amir
Come on BC do your magic.

by raps4life on Apr 22, 2010 6:40 PM EDT reply actions

Firstly

Turk + Jose are around 20 million. And secondly, I dont see why LAC does that. Turk’s value is at an all time low and Jose has been regressing for two years now. And theyre also on contract for the next 3-4 years.

by HDave on Apr 22, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

correction

Just realize Jose is making 9mil next year so Clipps have to throw in Eric Gorden and Marty Collins expiring contracts….With the signing of CB4 that would put the Raps into Luxury but we will se if MLSE is true to their words to BC…That’s my team right there…I will talk to you folks next year…have a great off season..RAPS4LIFE

by raps4life on Apr 22, 2010 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

lol baron davis isnt a top tier guard and he doesnt average 10 asissts he averages 15 points hes better then any point gaurds we gotr but i think there are better deals out there

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 22, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope that you are a being tongue-in-cheek about this. There is no way in hell, even if BC flew to LA, and pointed a gun at the owners kids head would this trade happen. “Uhm, yes MR. Clippers. We want you to take our trash and send us 2 young players and Baron Davis. Why? Well uhm, that way you continue to suck and maintain an important NBA tradition.”

by McGateway on Apr 23, 2010 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions

i would like to see something like this
jack
aaron aflalo
weems
bosh
bargs

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 22, 2010 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

i think that is possible

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 22, 2010 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

Really? You see Denver sending one of the best young defenders in the league for what from the Raptors exactly?

by McGateway on Apr 23, 2010 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions

calderon+first round draft pick

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 23, 2010 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

ok so can any one explain in detail how an s& T works

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 22, 2010 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

The idea is simple and I will use Bosh as a prime example.

The Raptors have something called “Bird Rights” to Bosh. This means that they can sign him to more money and for more years than any other team can. This is designed to make it appealing for players to not move to other teams during FA. Of course, sometimes the player still wants to move so what happens is rather than get absolutely nothing for the player, a team will sign that player and trade them to the team that player wants to sign with. So say Bosh wants to sign in Dallas. Toronto can sign Bosh and then trade him to Dallas for whatever Dallas wants to give. In Dallas’ case they are over the cap so they would have to send the equivalent salary back to Toronto or get another team involved to make the numbers work if they didn’t have anything Toronto wanted and would work. If you recall last year, Turkoglu’s S&T involved something like 4 teams with everyone getting something even if it was just a trade exception (Orlando). Trade exceptions can be valuable for a team like Orlando because it means they can take on salary up to the exception without having to move the equivalent salary.

by McGateway on Apr 23, 2010 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

lol joke

so can we sign bosh promising a sign and trade and then refuse to trade him ?

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 23, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I know you are joking but I actually think it might work more like a trade-n-sign where Toronto trades Bosh’s Bird Rights to whichever team who then sign him. It’s a little weird because technically if you sign a free agent you cannot trade them unless they are your own. Weird rules.

by McGateway on Apr 24, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

how about this

I know this is not going to increase our athletiscm a whole bunch but I think it will address our center issues a little….

Portland signed Marcus Camby…and I am betting that this means Joel Pryzbilla will probably be on the market (I mean how many centers do they need even with all the injuries they get)….he is short contract and manageable…I wonder if they would consider Reggie Evans and Marco Bellineli…also expiring contracts….

This will give us some flexibility for 2011 so even if doesn’t work out maybe we can make a play for Kendrid Perkins….

I think then signing Matt Bonner would give us some more depth (with POB and Rasho gone)…and I think at least we get someone who will hustle…even if they aren’t the most physically gifted…

Finally we need some wing depth and a point guard…can’t do much about point guards now…we need to draft someone I think…but Raja Bell is available maybe worth considering or even better Azubuike… We could do this even if Bosh comes back or not….

that means
PG Jack/Banks/Calderon/Draft pick
SG – Azubuike/Weems
SF Turk/Derozan
PF- Bosh/Johnson/Bonner
C- Bargnani/Pryzbilla

by artificialturk on Apr 22, 2010 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

Colangelo

It is complicated his situation, he must hit, because 3 sesasons without playoffs, it would be a disaster for the franchise, the fans and of course for his reputation

by footballbizz on Apr 23, 2010 6:18 AM EDT reply actions

Why not a realistic S&T for a change?

Bynum + filler for Bosh

if we manage to get a point guard out of the off season, by trading our expirings (maybe even at the trade deadline) this is a team which is way better and more balanced of the one that missed the playoffs this season, which is , anyway, way better than it’s record shows.

by renato on Apr 23, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think you would do it to put Gasol and Bosh together on L.A. Bosh doesn’t want to be second fiddle, and in that team, he’d almost be 3rd or 4th. Not to mention that both Bosh and Gasol play almost exactly the same kind of game.

Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Apr 23, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

i think bosh is better then gasol so he would be snd fiddel to kobe

by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 23, 2010 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

Gasol can play the C too (he is doing that when Baynum os out) and Bosh gets to play in LA while getting the max, and have a shot to win it all. Can you honestly believe it is all that easy to top that?

by renato on Apr 23, 2010 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

How 'bout Triano???

We have all these opinions about re-tooling our lineup and “if Bosh leaves/if Bosh doesn’t leave” scenarios but how about Triano getting some blame?? BC says this team is willing to go into the luxury tax to get this team competitive, so how about eating this guy’s contract and getting a real coach??? I know that’s not what people want to hear, but if BC is willing to spend that money then why not consider a change?

Does anyone think Jeff Van Gundy, Avery Johnson, Lawrence Frank, Byron Scott (the list goes on) would let Hedo take time off during training camp? Do you think Hedo or any one of the youngins who party in the city wouldn’t be thinking twice about their actions if one of these guys was their coach? I’ve been to these parties that have been in the news that are thrown by Mona Halem and the players do not go wild and it’s not the reason for them not making the playoffs. They are actually parties thrown for the out of town team and usually only a few, maybe 3 or 4 Raps would show up. I went to one last year for the Hawks and I would say 9-10 Hawks were in the club and only 2 or 3 Raps. Same with one thrown for the Cavs this year. Shaq, LeBron and a number of Cavs were at the party. The only Raptor I saw? – CB4.

The bottom line is if the Raps want to compete they need a hard nosed, veteran coach who’s not afraid to clash with his players and lay down the law. Jay Triano is not this guy. Oh wait, the last guy to do that was Sam Mitchell – oh ya that guy! Despite not being a veteran coach Sam had a plan, was a defensive minded coach. Sam didn’t care who Vince was – VC wasn’t ready to fight for his team and teammates then Sam was ready to fight him!!! Not saying Sam was the answer either or that we should’ve kept him, but I’d rather have a coach like that – one who challenges his players, because at the end of the day he got us to the playoffs with less talent – not a coincidence if you ask me.

Phil Jackson – 10 championships as a coach because he challenges his players – yes he does it mentally but at least he does something other than x’s and o’s. What does Triano do? Tell them everything is going to be “okay” when a team goes on a 23-3 run and erases the huge lead we built? Antoine, Sonny, JJ, Hedo and even at times Jose and CB4 all had interesting comments regarding Triano during the year. At no time during this season even when they went on their mid season run did this team ever look like they had a certain swagger that could carry them through a rough period and it showed. They sucked at the start of the year, were good in the middle and sucked again at the end.

They needed a controversy, after Paul Pierce to knee CB4 in the nuts and no one rushed to his side when he was bent over, for them to realize they needed to show more of a unified front?

There’s no way Scott Skiles has more talent in Milwaukee than the Raps do here in Toronto, yet they’re the 5th seed. Yes we had our unfortunate timing of CB4’s injury right after the all-star break but teams adjust. Triano didn’t. He had no plan for CB4’s absence. The Bucks for the last two seasons have been without Michael Redd – last year was lost for them, but this year all they added was Jennings, Delfino, Stackhouse and Salmons at the deadline and they leaped to the five seed in the East?? Yes I’m not doubting our roster needs some tweaks, but there is talent on this team – ultimately it’s on the Coach to work with that talent and during this season he made way too many mistakes with substitutions, adjustments and play calling. Anyone in their right mind could see during PRE-SEASON that Sonny was going to have a breakout year and the league would really see his talent. So where was he the first half of the year? No one talked about Sonny until after the break because Triano had no idea how to utilize him!

Even Erik friggen Spoelstra got his team to the playoffs, and with who besides D-Wade? J.O. is J.O., Beasley (inconsistent), Chalmers, Haslem, Arroyo, Joel Anthony? C’maaaaaan!!!!
In fact here is their roster – http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/roster?team=mia …who knows what this team’s record would’ve been if Triano was their coach, guranteed not 47-35! 12 games over .500 for this squad? Their truest pg was Carlos “I’ve played on every team in the nba at least once in the last 10 years” Arroyo!

All I heard every time I watched a Raps game on TV is how “prepared” the five on the court were after timeouts. Well what about the rest of the game?!!!!! Triano is not a NBA Head Coach and as long as it stays that way this team will not win – CB4 or not.