Fans the Real Losers in the Middle of Bosh and Colangelo Spat
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jul 31, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
55 comments
Lost amongst the Bosh and Colangelo pettiness is the true off-season loser, Raptors fans...
"With everything that's happened, I don't want all of this to erase what we all went through together. We did 7 years together. We had ups and downs...I put my heart and soul and emotion into that locker room and into that organization...just because I'm somewhere that doesn't erase that, that doesn't take that away."
Those words were spoken by Chris Bosh Thursday evening in an exclusive interview with Rogers' Sportsnet here in Canada. If you haven't seen it yet, check parts one and two below:
It was an interesting interview for various reasons, most notably perhaps because it was a bit of a "return shot" in what has become a slight war of words between Bosh and his former General Manager, Bryan Colangelo.
Recently of course, Colangelo spoke to the Fan590 about the Bosh situation and called his former star out on various levels; from questioning CB4's decision not to return from an ankle sprain in February as soon as he could have, to noting that he had tried everything to build around Bosh, but that nothing worked. There were various other insinuations as well, all of which seemed to add up to "Bosh quit on his team post-All-Star break."
From his side, and as you can see/hear above, Bosh states that he never quit on the team and essentially gave 110% every time he stepped on the court.
Before getting into "who's right and who's wrong" here, I first want to say that I hate this entire situation.
To me, the simple fact of the matter is that Bosh did work his ass off 90% of the time, but became disillusioned with the team's performance as last season unfolded, didn't put the effort that he could have in post All-Star break, and whether he wants to admit it or not, was seduced by the free-agency possibilities.
I'm not really sure how he can deny the latter part considering he's spoken publicly about discussions with James and Wade in the past, and even in this interview he emphasizes his desire to play "on TNT" in front of his family. It's not like he just started having those types of thoughts over the past few months.
It's a bit like dating a girl for a long time, then meeting one of her friends, one who you are more physically attracted to and who you really hit it off with. Maybe you find yourself and her friend constantly socializing whenever all of you are together, and try as you may, you can't shake the idea that you should leave your long-time girlfriend for a shot at her friend. So while maybe you don't actually end things with your girl till weeks or months later, mind-set wise, the shift took place a long time ago.
Maybe it's true that Bosh didn't actually decide he was leaving Toronto till the last minute, but I feel pretty certain that mentally he had at least partially checked out months ago.
My girl Holly MacKenzie, in a recent post on this subject, echoes this a bit saying that she felt when Bosh said he "never, ever in his life stepped onto a basketball court and not given his all," he really believed this was the case.
And I think he did too.
The problem is, he may have believed it, but fans who watched Bosh the last seven years, the same Bosh who cried in his rookie season out of frustration with his team's apathetic play, know better. There was just something missing post-All-Star break, especially on the defensive end.
As Yahoo! Sports' Kelly Dwyer wrote yesterday on the topic:
If you want to go with stats, go with stats: Bosh is a 6-foot-11 guy with major hops and long arms who blocked six shots in his last 17 games as a Raptor.
And for those less-statistically inclined, you just had to watch the games.
Late last year on the site, writers and readers both noted the change in CB4, not only in terms of the "little things" he typically did on the court, but also his demeanor.
So in that vein, yes, Colangelo may be correct that Chris wasn't the player at the end of last season that he was at the start. That's fine.
But quit?
I'd say more like "dialed down the volume from 10 to 8."
And even so, this just takes me back to my whole "I hate this situation" stance.
Because not only did the team lose Bosh and failed to replace him with even a close facsimile, but then Bosh promptly went on a vomit-inducing TMZ fest, and now the club's GM has taken a page from Dan Gilbert's book on sour grapes, publicly bashing his former franchise player despite constantly making public overtures about re-signing the former G-Tech stud in the months and off-seasons leading up to last July.
Oh...and let's not even get into the fact that Colangelo's own moves helped facilitate Bosh's departure.
No, the real losers here unfortunately are the fans.
Had Bosh simply decided to go to Miami, took his game to South Beach and not popped up on the NY Stock Exchange, Jimmy Fallon and subjected ardent fans to tweets about the Hamptons, then that would have been it. Sure, losing a player of Bosh's calibre would have sucked, but the vast majority of Raptors' fans going into the off-season felt no ill-will towards Bosh regarding leaving Toronto. Simply put, he had given the team seven great years and management had failed to surround him with the proper talent to achieve much success. Even if you feel Bosh was never a "franchise-type player," it's hard to argue that he had much high-calibre assistance during those seven years.
Solid role players?
Yes.
All-Star talent?
Nary a one.
And now, all this mudslinging has done is helped draw negative attention to Toronto and the Raptors organization, digging up old stereotypes and as we discussed yesterday, put the focus away from basketball and on topics like "is Toronto a viable basketball market for the NBA."
Great. Instead of looking at the positives in terms of the team's young talent, now that same talent constantly has to field questions about "how cold is it really in Toronto," and how they feel about Bosh's decision.
Not exactly the type of off-season story fans were hoping would be written.
And for this I blame both Bosh and Colangelo. Bosh could have walked off into the sunset in a classy manner and thanked fans and management for his time here. Colangelo could have done the same, thanking Bosh for his hard work and effort and wished him well in the future.
Instead, fans are stuck between two egos, one that is now finally realizing many of his individual goals, drunk off the LeBron and Wade blend South-Beach Tequila, and another that is attempting to deflect criticism for overestimating his hand at the Bosh poker table, losing a true superstar thanks in part to his own personnel decisions over the past few years.
This wasn't the way things were supposed to go and next season if you're booing Bosh, I hope you're saving some jeers for BC as well.
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the questions about toronto are stupid
Toronto is by no means a bad nba destination we have been in the top half of attendance for a while now and we are in a big city as far as success very little expansion teams had success. so i think mike and mike are just dumbass Americans who don’t know shit about Canada and need to shut up
by raptors_run_the_show on Jul 31, 2010 11:31 AM EDT reply actions
Look in the mirror
Some of the mudslinging drawing negative attention to Toronto was posted on Raptors HQ. The worst included personal attacks on CB4 and even his girlfriend’s appearance. Raptors HQ did nothing to remove or discourage such attacks, and even joined in the fun.
Not really sure how making fun of Bosh’s club-going antics sheds a bad light on Toronto. Bosh put himself in the spotlight, so he’s going to have to deal with the folks who look down upon what he’s doing. Those are the antics we joined in.
But the mudslinging from BC and others is in regard to his on-court performance. We’ve analyzed that in and out over the years and have always given our take, just like I did in this piece. Bosh is one of my favourite Raptors of all time in terms of how he played for this team, and while his free-agency antics have irritated and annoyed me, that hasn’t changed the way I feel about his performance here in Toronto.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jul 31, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
So his girlfriend is fair game too, and your applause of derisive comments about her looks were appropriate?
It seems to me that fan blogs like this are one face of the Raptors and Toronto. The quality of the discourse affects how both are perceived, and it matters – to some, at least..
I agree with MDAVID on this. That post was below this blog’s usual high standards. Who cares if Bosh parties it up this summer? It’s got nuthin to do with nuthin about this team or the city of TO.
by benjibopper on Jul 31, 2010 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Partying by itself, yes, if it’s not interfering with a player’s performance (ahem, Hedo), no big deal. The partying aspect was simply in furtherance to the rest of his “off-season tour” as well as the inane tweets, so taken in combination with the rest of the events, events that frankly I didn’t expect from Bosh.
But you guys are right, who cares…and that goes both ways so if this sort of activity is important to Bosh, I’m not sure why commenting on it, either positively or negatively, is a big deal.
As for his girlfriend, I found myself laughing at another commentor’s note about watching Twilight on her forehead and referred to her as a “mini sorta frumpy version of Mariah Carey”…yes, not exactly hard-hitting journalism, but not sure that I haven’t made much more fun of pictures of myself in the past in media scrums :)
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Aug 1, 2010 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t really care what she looked like, but his girlfriend was a complete tool and an embarrassment. I sat 3 feet from her. The fact that Bosh defended her after the LeBron comeback game speaks to his poor judgment, which he has now compounded and demonstrated ad nauseum.
What isn’t mentioned here is how Bosh went out of his way at the end of the season to say how he was going to cooperate and the process was going to be collaborative. Then the high-school frat party broke out. I actually respect Colangelo more for calling out Bosh’s bullshit act as an immature twat who happens to be able to play basketball. I think it would have been very different if Bosh hadn’t started the amateur hour.
In the interview the first thing he talks about is how much “exposure” he got. ’Nuff said.
He put himself in that position...
When you are going to places where you know there will be paparazzi and news crews, you are welcoming all comments and critcisms. It comes with the territory, celebs know this and accept it. Get a life and get over it. The two are not connected at all, and that post had nothing to do with CB’s play in Toronto, or his respect for the city. MDAVID you wouldn’t happen to be American would you?
MDAVID, you have serious issues dude! Overreacting to this article and then posting on a Phoenix Sun’s page that Turkoglu’s issues weren’t his fault and how you admire him for speaking out. Ummm yeah! Turkoglu wasn’t the issue…I wonder what glu(e) you have been sniffing!
by Assistant GM on Aug 1, 2010 11:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Saying she has a bad spray on tan wasn’t an attack so much as an accurate observation of the picture at hand. I admit I made some cracks about her forehead but I was joking as it was obvious to me that her hair is pulled back and that will always make your forehead look bigger. I highly doubt that us joking about someone’s girlfriend is going to ruin Toronto fans reputation across the NBA.
Right...
Because ESPN was all over the HQ fans for having a little fun at the expense of Bosh’s girlfriend. What a black eye on the reputation of Toronto. Lighten up, man. You’re really reaching with that one.
Charisma
Bosh’s main problem is that he just lacks charisma. Now that he is getting all this ‘media’ attention at night clubs with his girl, he still comes across as awkward. I dunno if he was 100% heart and soul when he was on the floor, but I don’t deny his professionalism. Furthermore I don’t mind losing him. He was appointed the face of the franchise, but never was able to take charge of the locker room. He led by example, sorta. I just think he knows enough that he should brand himself and twitter is an interesting new media that he could lead. He doesn’t realise how stupid his twits are. He’ll be much better in his role iin Miami, but their frontline is way weak compared to the Lakers. See ya Bosh, missing you less and less.
Walker McKenna
by Robert Archibald on Jul 31, 2010 1:01 PM EDT reply actions
So, what can we do with the Bosh trade exception?
Any teams out there with over-paid or unneeded SF’s or C’s that they’d want to get rid of?
SF’s:
- Iguodala @ $12M+
- Ariza @$6M-7M
- Kirilenko @ $17.8M (expiring)
- Pietrus @ $5.5M
C’s:
- Okafor @ $11.5M
- Gortat @ $6M-7M
- Przybilla @ $7.5M (expiring)
- Nene @ $11.4M
- Diop @ $6.5M+
As others have posted, Iguodala seems like the best option… Gortat would be a decent fit next to Bargnani, but he might not be that easy to pry away from Orlando.
Kirilenko could be interesting, but the Jazz would probably keep him around because their roster is getting a bit thin with Boozer gone. Same with Nene — could be a good fit, but Denver isn’t likely to give him up.
Okafor could probably be had for peanuts… especially if the Chris Paul situation ends up with him leaving town and the Hornets scrapping the whole team and starting from scratch.
And there is even a BC dig........again and again and again
When will you guys leave it alone and do the writing you are good at?
There’s a dig at both sides here and I tried to make that clear as I didn’t want this to be an “anti-BC” string.
It takes two to tango with this stuff and as I mentioned, both could have conducted themselves in a much more profesional manner.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jul 31, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
BC deserves it. His comments completely lacked class.
by benjibopper on Jul 31, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
dissagree
I think BC had the same feelings as dan gilbert but he expressed them with class and dignity when dan gilbert was blunt about his feelings
by raptors_run_the_show on Aug 1, 2010 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Man...
maybe we should just never mention the GM’s name again.
People are bruising like peaches.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Aug 2, 2010 6:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Slow News Month
.
I’ve heard both interviews, and despite what I think is a bit of underlying frustration, neither Bosh nor Colangelo came anywhere near Gilbert’s reaction. A reaction that I expect will continue (in a less dramatic way) when Lebron returns home.
.
Like most marriage break-ups … at the end, there’s always a few jabs at the other side. As time moves on, it’s mostly forgotten. And for those that can’t remain friends, it’s really just selfishness on their part — sort of why fans still boo Carter.
.
I really think we’re beating a dead horse on this one.
.
You're right...
Fans are the losers… Bosh and BC had their chances in Toronto and both blew it.
Myself, I’ve completely tuned out bosh for the summer and will decide whether to remain a fan next year when the dust has blown over and I see what happens on the court.
I think that the talent pool in the nba is too deep for teams to just have one star… Toronto is the perfect example of how a star can develop if given the opportunity… now it’s on the next guys to get those touches and take their games to the next level.
bosh did give his all in toronto
except for the 2nd half of the season. it was obvious to the gm, the media, the fans, and even the players. anyone else hear/read bargnani’s interview when asked about how he felt about bosh’s departure. he said something like he and all of the other teammmates knew/felt that bosh was leaving. basically thats what i remember, so that kinda proves that bosh gave up. this is why i have mixed feelings about bosh. do i cheer for him for playing great basketball here for 7 years being the raptors all-time leading scorer or something like that? or do i boo him because of the way he left, wanting to be in the american spot light and all tweets, and not even playing 6 games to help his team try, at least, to make the playoffs.
also im kinda glad BC called bosh out. he as well as the fans were irritated with boshs’ twittering and stuff about free agency. their were reports that the raps were not pleased with the way bosh was handling freeagency. and he also filmed a documentary about it as i believe. are you kidding me! bosh just wants attention.
Good article Franchise
For all the criticism this site has taken recently for lack of objectivity, this piece is truly balanced. I agree 100% both sides are at fault. I do believe that Bosh mentally shut down after the allstar game. The claim that Bosh was medically cleared to play but sat out for a further 6 games (thats two weeks for goodness sakes) is obviously true or else all Bosh had to say was that it was not true, go ask the medical staff. And your right, you could see it in his play and the lack of aggression in attacking the basket. I find that hard to forgive when your team is in a playoff race. Its one thing for posters on a site like this to rant against CB4, but more is expected of the senior executive of the basketball team.
Having said that, I agree that Colangelo accomplished nothing positive by attacking Bosh. I am a Colangelo “supporter” but am disappointed in his public criticism of Bosh. Its unfair to compare it to Gilbert’s outburst but still there was no need for it.
re Bosh for or against
FORGET CHRIS BOSH, HE IS GONE TO MIAMI, NEVER TO RETURN.
Whether he gave his best effort after the All-Star game is not in question, and well documented by the local media, papers, blogs, etc. during the season, in Feb and March, before BC was anywhere near the FAN 590.
Bosh in his interview said it all when he spoke of the name BOSH on the back of his jersey, as that was his main focus, not what the team needed from him to win.
Contrast his actions with Kobe in LA, playing with his damaged finger, and having his knee drained to keep playing, as he was driven to win, and lead the Lakers.
yeah but didn't Bosh he also say
all he thought about was making the playoffs?
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Aug 1, 2010 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Complicated situation.
- The Raptors were doing great – at one point we had “locked up” the 5 seed before the infamous slide. Maybe Bosh didn’t feel the urgency to rush back – there are plenty of instances where this has hurt more than helped teams and Bosh is not what you would call durable.
- Team doctors don’t always act in the best interests of the players. Perhaps Colangelo’s # is true, but it could easily be a smaller #.
- Part of it may be a perception issue with Bosh. It’s possible that he thought he was trying hard, but given the number of times the team had let him down, he wasn’t motivated to go the extra mile. That being said, people need to understand that the NBA season is a grind and you have to expect peaks and valleys. I feel that Bosh generally wanted to win and put out a good effort most nights – the game before he went down for the rest of the year, he put up 42 points, 13 rebounds and 5 steals getting to the line 23 times (though he did miss the crucial final bucket). I wonder if sports psychologists are common in the NBA?
well here's the thing
Bosh’s injury I’m up in the air about… while I understand why he did not play, he can’t come out and say that all he thinks about is the playoffs while sitting out 6 extra games. At the same time, I don’t know how much he actually did hurt.
While team doctors may not always act in the best interest of the players, they are legally and morally obligated to follow their hippocratic oath. Even if they look past the ethics of things, there are still potential liability issues. Plus its not fair to assume that the doctors were not doing their job properly.
Finally while Bosh was out the team went 3-4 (ankle injury). All losses were to .500+ teams, wins against sub .500 teams. When Bosh returned the team went 6-10 with wins all against sub .500 teams (with the exception of one win against Charlotte) and losses to teams across the board. Yet the team was still firmly entrenched in a playoff spot when he returned…. but he didn’t show up (even after the extra down time…).
So he wasn’t motivated to go the extra mile even though the team was still in the playoff race when he returned? That really goes against what he said about the ‘Bosh name’ and wanting to play in the playoffs. And while Bosh did have a great final game, it was Golden State. In fact those final 3 games against the powerhouses of GS, NJ and Philly really added nicely to Bosh’s stat total. The 13 games prior to that he averaged as follows:
Pts – 19.2
FG% – 46.7%
RBs – 9
Blks – 0.5
FTs – 5.8 !!
Those are significantly below his season averages. His lack of effort had just as much to do with the Raps not making the playoffs as the rest of the team. He can’t come out and say all he thinks about is the playoffs and represents the “Bosh name”, unless they’ are people who work hard most of the time, but when things get tough they put it in cruise control.
To me there was no doubt that he had ‘check out’ as BC said.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Aug 1, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
boring times for the raps
I wish BC made a trade to improve the roster judging from his interviews he has many trade brewing
by raptors_run_the_show on Jul 31, 2010 8:20 PM EDT reply actions
What did BC really say? That Bosh was cleared to play, but chose to sit out an extra six games What else? That he and the team felt that something was off about him the last couple of months. Talk about classless and vengeful!?!
by Assistant GM on Aug 1, 2010 2:17 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I still ask and I get no answer
let’s pretend Chris did not check out. Was this a 50 win team? Because if it is, most of anger against BC is misplaced…
Are you seriously entertaining the thought that the 2009/10 Raptors could have won 50 games? Is this your position?
definetly more then 40 wins if bosh had not “checked out” or gotten injured we would have at least won 45 games
by raptors_run_the_show on Aug 1, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Not me
numbers are there , there are trends in life and the fact a trend was broken after ASG is not in dispute. So I do not have a definitive answer. Let me play Dr House:
Case 1: It did not make any difference. Hence #4 is not relevant as you claim he is
Case 2: He is and his “checking out” made all the difference
you cannot have it both ways….
You forgot case # 3, he was playing hurt and couldn’t perform at the level we are used to seeing. I am not saying this was the case but it is possible. Checking out is an easy thing for someone outside to say. After all, we could make the same case for BC.
fair enough
now please answer the question I asked in my OP.
At no point in time was this a 50-win team (healthy Bosh or unhealthy, quitting Bosh).
You forget that in the second half of last season, the schedule got a lot tougher. The Raptors used a soft portion of the schedule to inspire false optimism before it all fell apart.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Aug 2, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
they had quite significant winf also in the "easy stratch"
Dallas
LA
Huston
SA
and I am sure I am forgetting some. So they went from winning them all to loosing them all……
Zippy do da zippy de day. In the 1995 season the Raptors beat the Jordan bulls and no one would mistake that team as a 50 win team. Beating good teams is meaningless in the grand scheme of things because those teams are going to lose games and sometimes take the night off against lesser opponents. Dallas didn’t even make it out of the first round of the playoffs and Houston missed the playoffs altogether so those victory’s were not as significant as you may believe. The win over SA happens pretty much every year (just the year before I believe they beat them in SA). At the end of the day bad teams beat good teams all the time in the NBA it is hardly a sign of championship contention.
Raptors fan from LA here
And I love the city of Toronto. I’ve been there two/three times and every time I have gone, I have had nothing but great experiences. Most people there are nice and sincere, the food is great albeit pricey compared to here in the states, and the scenery is amazing. I look forward to my next trip there which I hope is soon.
I initially hated Bosh for leaving, but in retrospect, I don’t think I blame him for wanting to leave; we just didn’t surround him with the right pieces. While I still love Bosh, I hate the Heat with a passion. I wish CB4 the best of luck and I hope BC can deliver us the team we need whether it be through the draft, free agency, or trades. Rebuilding is going to suck.
Never Boo Bosh
I for one will never boo Bosh. He did give his heart and soul to the team for at least 6.5 years. He arrived as a raw skinny 19 year old. Every year he grew stronger, added to his game and became more of a leader. Give him an Allen and a Pearce and you have a championship.
There are very few players in the NBA with his work ethic and determination. Toronto was fortunate to have him as a player. He set an example for those around him that couldn’t have been better.
If I’m at the game when he comes back I will stand and applaud.
Agreed.
I will not boo Bosh based on the following:
- Gave everything he had for 7 years
- Worked hard to improve every year
-Lead by example
- Franchise let him down by not surrounding him with anythign close to winning talent
- He had the oportunity to join a uber-tallented team, in south beach and play with his friends
Ask yourself in all honesty this question: If you were 25 and you had the chance to go work with two good friends and dominate your profession in such an idealic setting as South Beach, would you say no? Especially knowing your current organization has done such a poor job in providing a suppoting cast.
Also, regarding the CB4 world tour etc. I’ve had some time to think about it and in all honesty, I can’t begrudge him for most of his activities. Again, put yourself in his shoes, you’re 25 years old, more money and God and you only live once. Wouldn’t you, at least once in your life want to live it up a little bit, go to the fancy clubs, ring the NYSE bell? Again, you only live once. I got to be honest, I think I would eat those opportunites up! When my boys and I went to Vegas in my late 20’s we burned that place down and partied like rockstars (on a shoe-string budget mind you) and I can’t hate on Chris for doing the exact same thing. You only live once… And let’s be honest, Chris was a MODEL citizen his entire time here in TO. We heard more late night club issues from Hedo in a few months than we heard about Chris in 7 years. I have a friend who is in the night club industry in TO and has organized a few parties where Chris attended and here is their take: “A gentlemen, not a big drinker at all like some of his (current/former) teammates and other NBAers that come to town. Low key guy that usually left pretty early”
I know it hurts seeing Chris out there laughing it up and having a good time. I know because that was my initial reaction as well. However, when you reflect on why it hurts, you realize it is because he’s gone more than anything. Of course the knee-jerk reaction is to put the defensive guard up: “screw him, he wan’t that good anyways, he’s an asshole, look at him out there partying etc. etc.”
As for some of his tweets, sure not the brightest stuff, but he’s a 25 year old kid. So what. The one thing that was just dumb and kinda irked me was the documentary thing. That is probably the one thing that kinda bugged be about this whole process… Other than that, good luck to you Chris, except the 4 times a year whey you play the Raps.
Regarding Colangelo's comments...
I think one has to realize there was a generous does of self-preservation in what he said in the interview. The comments regarding Bosh being cleared to play and not playing are one thing to deal with in isolation which probably deserves more discussion on its own. However, when you pare it with some of the other Collangelo comments from that fan 590 interview it becomes clear that he had an agenda. When he trie to make the case that they had tried everything to fit players arround Chris and was unsuccessful (pointing the finger at Bosh as the reason) he lost all credibility. If anyone can defend the group of loosers BC put around Bosh and then still blame Bosh for their lack of success, I’m open to listen. But for the life of me, I remember Kapono, Bargani, a washed up O’Neil, a rented Marion, a injury riddled TJ ford, Delfino, Parker and some Euros… These are not winning pieces and no one should be expected to cary that bunch and then receive blame when they don’t succeed. More of Colangelo’s “we’re not far off” horseshit self-preservation statements.
Closes the door
Good interview, not the Jim Gray fluff. Great answers.
I cannot envision any scenario in him leaving as a FA, where all would be peachy. Man had a choice and made it.
I will cheer CB upon his return, for giving us everything he had.
I hate the Miami Heat..
Turk takes a shot at BC
New Phoenix Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu took aim at his former team, the Toronto Raptors, and their general manager, Bryan Colangelo, this weekend.
"People have to realize something is wrong with that organization and nobody wants to go there any more," he said in a phone interview from Turkey, where he is captaining the Turkish national team at the World Championships. "It’s not just the players who see this."
Turkoglu insisted Bosh was a good teammate.
"It’s funny that people will talk behind your back," Turkoglu said of Colangelo. "If he was feeling this way, why not have the guts to say it during the season? Why not say it to Chris? Now that Chris has left, it’s not nice to say those things.
"Chris has been a franchise player and he did a lot of good things for the Raptors," Turkoglu added. "I don’t think Chris is the type of player to quit on his teammates."
Turkoglu had his own issues with the Raptors. A year ago, Toronto signed him as a free agent, believing his versatility was the missing piece to creating an Eastern Conference contender. The year before, Turkoglu helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers.
But Turkoglu quickly fell out of favor in Toronto, facing criticism for being out of shape and unmotivated.
His former agent and the Suns’ current president of basketball operations, Lon Babby, said Turkoglu never got his legs under him in Toronto after a long postseason run and a summer spent playing for the Turkish national team in preparation for this year’s World Championships.
Turkoglu added that the chemistry in Toronto was never right and the Raptors never used his talents properly.
"I don’t have to talk any more about it for me because it’s past now," he said. "I don’t care any more what people say about me because I’ve got other things to worry about."
But Turkoglu was clearly miffed by Colangelo’s comments.
"I just don’t understand why you would say these things," he said. "Like I said, that organization has problems."
by raptors_run_the_show on Aug 1, 2010 10:41 PM EDT reply actions
wow turk is a jerk
its funny though how he went on to say “If he was feeling this way, why not have the guts to say it during the season? Why not say it to Chris?”. how turk never said he wanted to leave toronto to its face but back home in turkey, he let it all be known on camera how displeased he was with the team and the fans. why not say that to our face in the city of toronto?
its obviously a way to attack BC to cover up for his god-awful season in a raptors uniform, or is it because BC told him off about him partying it up instead of resting, which lead to his benching and suspension. either way, Turk is a dick, he crossed the line when he said “People have to realize something is wrong with that organization and nobody wants to go there any more.” thats just plain ignorant and attacks the whole city of toronto. i think ive found my new vince. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I think you hit the nail on the head with that one. Turkoglu is going to get booed like no player in franchise history. I’m looking forward to picking up tickets to the Suns-Raptors… although I would almost be willing to bet money that Turkoglu will come up with a phantom injury and either not make the trip or simply sit on the bench in street clothes.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Aug 2, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Should still boo him
even if he’s on the bench. Imagine, chants of Hedo sucks even when he’s not playing.
Turk
Imagine if the Raptors didn’t get a trade done for this clown? He’d be sulking for 4 more years, putting up 10 points / 3 rebounds / 3 assists / 40% fg, and collecting $11M per.
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