Picking up the Pieces in Cleveland and Toronto

…and add in the fact that Bosh would not commit long term to the Raptors and tell me which stud player out there would have signed with this team? This hindsight BS by the media and bloggers is getting out of control.

This is not about agreeing or disagreeing with positions. But there’s a reason I don’t read Feschuk or a Damien Cox, because the same tune gets very boring.

Plus this isn’t just me. A group of about 5-10 of us were religious Rap HQ readers and posters, because early on in RapsHQ the level of discussion here was a great alternative to the everything sucks blogs at other places. There was inteligent discusion as to how to move forward and build the team, sharing of knowledge of Euro players that people may not be familar with around here, discussion of potential talent and NCAAs.

Things were bleak during the end of the Grunwald and Babcock era, but the discussions here were at least interesting. It’s now become just another whinefest and honestly the group of regulars that used to be here are no longer here. And trust me, they are about as knowledgable about basketball as it gets (a former NCAA div II player, a former national team player, a current OCAA coach, and someone who used to be in the Raps org).

Although most people didn’t know it, they had a very unique insight. And its too bad their discussions are now limited to a round of beers at the local watering hole or after a pickup game.

Anyways, this isn’t to poo-poo what Raps HQ is doing. Its a much needed alternative to main stream media, but it’s become more op-ed than when it started.

That’s what I’m saying.. he’s all cock of the walk today in his letter. But he didn’t call LBJ out when it mattered.

Ah yes, the old, ‘it may not actually be his fault, but he’s the only one we can blame’ argument.

Implying opportunities are being/were missed when they more than likely never existed is not being objective. I understand the emotion in the moment and wanting more, we all do, but we also know (don’t we?) the limitations the Toronto market puts on an NBA GM. Ignoring that completely and railroading a respected and proven NBA executive out of a town that never had one before is not only narrow minded but counterproductive.

Could you please list me these missed opportunities?

So you want the leader of the franchise to publicly admit the wheels have fallen off and we are “rebuilding”? A franchise that historically (its entire existence) has had major issues keeping its assets intact? It’s quite obvious we are rebuilding but admitting such publicly is a defeatist attitude that would infect the entire team/organization.

How can you say the mess could have been avoided when you have no clue what the available options were? You guys are running BC out of town when he’s the first GM in our history that has actually given us options to pursue…and now you’re pushing for a youth movement that Colangelo himself created (bring some of those guys in with some fairly shrewd moves) that started last off-season. It was plain as day…did you not see it?

Sorry, I’m venting as I’d personally I’d like to see what BC has in store the rest of this off-season before I start calling for his head and having the knee-jerk happy top-hats at MLSE yanking the feet from the one guy with enough credibility and influence to give this franchise some stability and a chance to win.

Let me clarify.. What I’m trying to say is.. this isn’t about BC=Suck, or Bosh = Suck, or even Raps = Suck. This is about.. Everything = Suck.

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?I blame Boston Celtics for proving that forming a super team with no depth works.

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?I blame Boston Celtics for proving that forming a super team with no depth works.2010-11 NCAAs! How will it impact the Raps in 2011/12.

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?I blame Boston Celtics for proving that forming a super team with no depth works.2010-11 NCAAs! How will it impact the Raps in 2011/12.Can the Heat be beaten? (Answer yes. I predict Magic will in the semis, if the Celtics don’t beat them first) How? Make’em shoot. Which min. sal. players will the heat fill their roster with?

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?I blame Boston Celtics for proving that forming a super team with no depth works.2010-11 NCAAs! How will it impact the Raps in 2011/12.Can the Heat be beaten? (Answer yes. I predict Magic will in the semis, if the Celtics don’t beat them first) How? Make’em shoot. Which min. sal. players will the heat fill their roster with?With the Raps roster today, how many wins can we forecast?

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?I blame Boston Celtics for proving that forming a super team with no depth works.2010-11 NCAAs! How will it impact the Raps in 2011/12.Can the Heat be beaten? (Answer yes. I predict Magic will in the semis, if the Celtics don’t beat them first) How? Make’em shoot. Which min. sal. players will the heat fill their roster with?With the Raps roster today, how many wins can we forecast?Which team needs JC or Hedo the most? (yes there are teams that do)

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?I blame Boston Celtics for proving that forming a super team with no depth works.2010-11 NCAAs! How will it impact the Raps in 2011/12.Can the Heat be beaten? (Answer yes. I predict Magic will in the semis, if the Celtics don’t beat them first) How? Make’em shoot. Which min. sal. players will the heat fill their roster with?With the Raps roster today, how many wins can we forecast?Which team needs JC or Hedo the most? (yes there are teams that do)Did PJC and Hedo make out, or did PJC get choked out? Will PJC help Hedo?

Yes.. Raps not winning = Suck = true. But if you go a little deeper, its the system = suck. No one here has responded, but there were no scenarios from 2005 onwards that the Raps would have significantly improved themselves, with or without BC. The only scenario is if BC would have schooled someone in a trade (ala Gasol) and that only happens very rarely.Trying my best not to go back on whether BC=Suck or not. It’s the system. Once we recognize that, then we can move on to the basketball itself.Here’s a potporri of other topics I’d rather talk about:Was Clevland a good team because of the GM? Or was it luck because they sucked for so long and scored LBJ?The bandwagoners who jump on OKC and Blazers (whom I both like), are jumping on after the suck cycle. I’d be more impressed if people jumped on NJ/Knicks now rather than 5 years from now. Who’s suck cycle would you jump on today? Where were all those who loved Joe Dumars 3 years ago?I blame Boston Celtics for proving that forming a super team with no depth works.2010-11 NCAAs! How will it impact the Raps in 2011/12.Can the Heat be beaten? (Answer yes. I predict Magic will in the semis, if the Celtics don’t beat them first) How? Make’em shoot. Which min. sal. players will the heat fill their roster with?With the Raps roster today, how many wins can we forecast?Which team needs JC or Hedo the most? (yes there are teams that do)Did PJC and Hedo make out, or did PJC get choked out? Will PJC help Hedo?Is there another Jamario Moon out there?

“I think Colangelo has done a terrible job since he has been here. I actually think he should be fired. Does he have credibility? Yes. Has he made any wise basketball decisions? For the mostpart – no.”

I think this is simply false. Here are some solid moves that either turned out, or backfired for reasons beyond anyone’s control;

1. CV for Ford.
2. Signing Parker and Garbajosa out of Europe
3. The O’Neal for Marion experiment
4. Amir Johnson, Sonny Weems, Rasho, etc. Lots of good depth signings over his tenure.

“The final nail in the coffin for me was that he doesn’t think he should rebuild. It couldn’t be more clear that this team needs to clear-out some of the heavy contracts and let the young guys play. Weems, DeRozan, Davis, Johnson, Alibi all need to be given maximum playing time and anyone standing in their way from getting PT should be moved.”

I know BC has said a full rebuild is unlikely, but its not exactly the kind of thing a GM with one year left on his contract and bucking for a new one can say out loud, is it? Without Bosh or an equivalent power forward, this team is a lottery contender anyway, and given BC made no moves to sign Amare, or Boozer to max contracts, I’d say that he does intend to do a rebuild, just not announce it as such.

“One of the biggest issues for me is that this mess could have been avoided to some degree and we talked about it at length. The Hedo signing was a killer one and we preached how this was going to turn out badly. It did. We are frustrated. (He actually could have used the space he had to make a deal rather than sign Hedo).”

Ok, and here is where we really part company. Hedo may have crashed and burned upon arrival, but the truth is that deal was a masterstroke – he managed to snipe a top performer from a playoff team who addressed a team weakness (SF), take that player away from another squad, and aquire other assets in the deal at the same time. There are maybe five guys in the world who could pull off what he did in that deal.

We will get back to objective analysis. Right now it just feels like the wheels are coming off and yet the man in change won’t recognize it. I feel like we are back to where we were a while ago. No direction. No plan. Yet we are still being fed "BS" from the people in charge."

BC was brought in to build a competitive team without going over the cap. He’s never going to build a championship caliber squad here without getting creative and taking risks. Far from being down about his performance, I think he’s been exactly what the Dr. ordered – a risk taker not afraid to move in a new direction when things don’t work out.

“Time to see if Bargnani can take the next step. Now or never. It will be good to see whether he has it in him.”

Agreed. I for one am ready to move him on (please oh please can we get Kevin Love for him?), but if he breaks out this year into a 25-9-2 guy that will be fine.

“Some nice young talent.”

Agreed. But I guess it would be inconsistent to give BC credit for stockpiling some nice pieces while also working hard to keep Bosh happy.

Buck up little camper, its not so bad.

If I remember correctly, it was a trade that involved numerous partners and it somehow gave Orlando cap room to sign additional players.

*isn’t going to go away quickly.

a whole lot of mismatches…….