Raptors Looking for Front Office Help - Will It Make a Difference?

by Adam Francis on Sep 21, 2011 12:50 PM EDT in General

The Raptors have apparently finalized their nominees for bolstering the club's front-office situation but the HQ wonders if it even matters who the team chooses in the end...

On Monday afternoon, Yahoo Sports' uber b-ball scribe Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Toronto Raptors had finished interviewing for a "high-ranking executive job," presumably the team's General Manager position.

Of course that position is currently held by Bryan Colangelo, however the thought of late has been that Colangelo will abdicate the throne and retain only the President title, allowing someone else to come in and serve as GM.

The interviewees?

The same four names which have been bandied about for quite some time; former Portland GM Kevin Pritchard, current Philadelphia 76er GM Ed Stefanski, San Antonio Spurs' assistant GM Dennis Lindsey, and former New Orleans' GM Jeff Bower.

We'll get into the pros and cons of hiring each later this week, but off the top, does anyone else find this whole situation slightly amusing? I mean, Bryan Colangelo was brought in just over five years ago to fill this exact void! A recent "NBA Executive of the Year," Colangelo was supposed to use his basketball genius to help turn around the moribund franchise.

Instead, the past three seasons have produced nary a playoff appearance, and a sparkling .386 winning percentage.

The first two years of his regime went well without a doubt. Colangelo produced two straight playoff appearances and while the Raptors failed to get out of the first round, the franchise seemed to be heading back in the right direction.

Since those first two seasons though, things have take a major turn for the worse and now the only direction the club seems to be realistically pointed is towards the NBA's draft lottery.

So now we hear that Bryan's going to bring in some help and to me this raises a number of questions and concerns.

First, I have to ask, why. Was this a condition of extending BC, that he had to hire someone to handle the bulk of the basketball decisions? And if so, why extend BC at all? Why not simply bring in one of the aforementioned quartet to play both roles? It's not uncommon in the NBA for a GM to serve as President, so a decision like this wouldn't exactly be breaking new ground.

After all, that's what Colangelo currently is doing, and maybe therein lies the answer to my question.

Having gone down this road unsuccessfully once before, understandably, MLSE perhaps is a slight big leery about doing it again.

And that's fine.

Two heads are better than one as they say but if that's the case, this brings me to my next issue, one Wojnarowski touches on in his post.

Will the new front office exec be left alone to run the show, or will Colangelo still be pulling the strings? From Woj's post:

Even if Colangelo cedes the GM title to get Lindsey - something he'll almost assuredly have to do - it's hard to imagine that Colangelo, an NBA two-time executive of the year, won't still wield significant clout on every basketball decision.

If Colangelo is begrudgingly looking for help based on an edict from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, it's hard to imagine him letting said help make any major decisions that run counter to his own views.

"Trade Bargnani to the Clips for Kaman? Sure Kevin, I'll get right on that..."

This would indeed be a worst-case scenario for fans as the club would continue to chug along at a sub-.500 pace, with whoever is hired playing Billy Beane to BC's Art Howe circa 2001.

However the logical thought process is that decree from MLSE or not, BC would ensure via the hiring process that whoever comes in to lend a helping hand, is at least someone he can work with, or with whom he has a prior working relationship.

Unfortunately none of the four seem to be the latter.

I don't have complete work histories for all four, and I'm guessing Colangelo has had dealings with each to certain extents, but none pop out in terms of familiarity with the BC mantra, either by way of Phoenix or Toronto. I'd guess that if we were going simply on years in the league and around the game itself, Stefanski would come out on top. But that really doesn't mean much in terms of a final choice.

And I have to question if the hiring itself will mean anything in the end.

Again, if Colangelo is still holding on the strings and having the final say, I'm not sure if we as fans can expect a completely new outlook from management. The Raps could hire John Hollinger himself to be GM and we might still see the same types of personnel decisions ultimately being made.

My point here is that what's more important than this whole process of hiring a new front office lead is that BC himself needs to change. We've seen some subtle signs already that this may be taking place (hiring of Dwane Casey etc) but while he's still at the helm, this is the key determinant in terms of the club's future.

We can talk till we're blue in the face about who the best hire of the quartet will be, but with Colangelo still sitting atop the Dino monarchy, the onus is on him to lead the club back towards the promised land of playoff contention.

So bring on the new GM, assistant GM, towel boy, whomever.

But here's to hoping that with them comes a new Colangelo as well.

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“However the logical thought process is that decree from MLSE or not, BC would ensure via the hiring process that whoever comes in to lend a helping hand, is at least someone he can work with, or with whom he has a prior working relationship.”

It could also be that someone who doesn’t agree with BC may be exactly what he needs. Some people learn best by being offered rewards, others by being left alone, and still some by being kicked in the face (please no links to that Budda).

One thing I’m starting to wonder – is BC (knowingly or not) going to be training/grooming his successor? Its not like MLSE gave him a rousing round of support these last contract talks….

by Not so Friendly Stranger on Sep 21, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, great question. Hard to see any of these four playing that role but yes, at some point BC probably starts thinking about grooming someone. I used think Masai was that person actually so now…

And I think BC DEFINITELY needs someone to give him a challenge…however I can’t picture him going that route for some reason.

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Sep 21, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

you know over the last few years I’ve been more curious about the front office on goings then ever before. With such a lack of information, or partial information, or Politically correct/CYA talk coming out of there all the time I would love to be a fly on the wall. Just to know what they are really thinking in there.

Every time something seems to be heading in one direction, it quites down and then slowly builds up momentum in another.

by Not so Friendly Stranger on Sep 22, 2011 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps

These last few seasons have lead to a change of mind in BC over the GM role. That is, he finds more enjoyment in being a president than the day-to-day grind of being a GM. I’m sure that he still enjoys the dealing part of it, but perhaps he’s no longer as enthused about the player evaluation and contract part of it. If this is the case, he would willingly hand over the GM role to someone else.

by siggian on Sep 21, 2011 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

How much would I love to talk to him about this whole change in mindset eh?

Hmm…

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Sep 21, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, it seems like presidency is his strong suit – the Raptors brand has been fairly strong while he’s been here, and the Raptors are one of the few teams that would be givers in a new revenue sharing program, so the franchise is being run well on the business side of things. Personnel has improved lately, but needs one specific move to bring it back to where it needs to be. And I still think this hiring is also a means of moving Bargs without ‘giving up’ on his own draft pick. The new guy can do it. And who knows, if there’s a media backlash (for some reason…) he can always blame the new guy ;)

by dhackett1565 on Sep 21, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Masai Ujiri replacement?

Did the Raptors ever replace Ujiri when he took the job in Denver? If not, then presumably this hiring would do that.

However, it sounds like this new hire will have a little more influence than Ujiri did (although I guess he had a hand in drafting Alabi).

by DW19 on Sep 21, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

Solid point – Jay Satur from the Raps just pointed this out to me on Twitter. The hiring would definitely serve to fill that void, and yes, hopefully there would be a much bigger voice attached to the role.

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Sep 21, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Aren’t they hiring a GM and not an assistant GM? How does that relate to Ujiri? Unless, they are hiring a GM in title only that will in effect be an assistant GM for BC…

by MAS11 on Sep 21, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

If Ujiri was still in the organization the logical thing to do would be to bump him up to GM now that Colangelo is apparently going to concentrate more on his presidential duties. Given the job that Ujiri has done so far in Denver that might not have worked out too badly.

Anyway, since Ujiri is no longer with the organization then someone else will be getting the promotion that he hypothetically would have received.

by DW19 on Sep 21, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, technically the title of the position is up in the air – they want to add someone to the front office, and BC is willing to use the GM title as bait if need be to grab quality talent.

by dhackett1565 on Sep 22, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Ok so it isn’t a true GM position and BC will not be relinquishing this portfolio. This is bad news for Raptors fans…

by MAS11 on Sep 22, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s a little too soon to make that conclusion. We are all speculating on pretty thin evidence at this point.

by DW19 on Sep 22, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Well I remeber BC saying just what dhackett stated above. That they wanted to replace Ujiri and if they had to use a GM title as bait, then they would. That doesn’t sound like the definition of a fully accountable GM position to me, it sounds like calling a guy a GM in title only. However, you are right, we don’t have all the info yet.

by MAS11 on Sep 22, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Mind you, if the guy insists on a full GM title, he may need to be assured that he’ll have true GM capabilities as well – so the question is, is that a bullet BC is willing to bite? Based on his statement about the title, I think he is. But we’ll see.

by dhackett1565 on Sep 22, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn't Pritchard Trade For Bayless

July 9, 2008: Traded by the Indiana Pacers with Ike Diogu to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts and Brandon Rush.

Pritchard was relieved of his duties as Portland’s GM on June 24, 2010

Then just four months after letting Pritchard go Portland traded Bayless

October 23, 2010: Traded by the Portland Trail Blazers to the New Orleans Hornets for a 2011 1st round draft pick (Tobias Harris).

Then in February 2011 Portland used the Hornets 2011 1st round pick as one of the assets that they used to acquire Gerald Wallace.

February 24, 2011: Traded by the Charlotte Bobcats to the Portland Trail Blazers for Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks, Joel Przybilla, cash, a 2011 1st round draft pick (Tobias Harris) and a 2013 1st round draft pick.

Interestingly enough Harris was later traded by Charlotte to Milwaukee.

So it turns out that the Tobias Harris pick has been traded four times even before he has been able to suit up in a NBA uniform

Portland -——→New Orleans————>Charlotte—————>Milwaukee.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bayleje01.html

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Kevin_Pritchard

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wallage01.html

by Buddahfan on Sep 21, 2011 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Why Would BC Need To Hire A GM?

One possible reason is one that AIR (As I Recall) no one has yet mentioned

MLSE as we all know is a pretty big corporation that goes well beyond the Raptors organization.

So maybe, just maybe MLSE has asked BC to spend some of his time in non-Raptors related activities. I wouldn’t think that there would be any legal restrictions such as possible conflict of interest in BC spending some time eg with the MLSE real estate group.

I am not saying this is what is happening but ISTM to be at the very least a possibility.

by Buddahfan on Sep 21, 2011 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

I could see BC wanting his career path to lead up past president of the Raptors further up the MLSE ladder to a higher corporate position. The move to just president could be a precursor to that.

by dhackett1565 on Sep 22, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

Having working in corporations for decades some with over 100,000 employees and multiple different businesses I saw this stuff happen all the time.

BC certainly looks, dresses (LOL) and talks the way a larger corporation would want their top executives to.

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

The higher the collar, the higher up the ladder you are. If he ever becomes CEO or something, he may just fall over from the weight.

by dhackett1565 on Sep 22, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I Don't Know What The Basis For Your Comment Is

considering the Raptors are one of the less than 10 profitable teams in the NBA.

ISTM that might make a very good top level executive in MLSE.

JMO

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The profitablility has very little to do with what Colangelo has done. They are profitable despite his missmanagement of the payroll and loosing records.It probably has a lot more to do with Leafs season ticket holders forced to buy Raptors season tickets in order to buy Leafs season tickets and favorable national local broadcast rights.

by MAS11 on Sep 22, 2011 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Just making a joke. Obviously humour doesn’t translate on the net, but if you thought me saying he might fall over from the weight of his collar was a serious statement…

by dhackett1565 on Sep 23, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

If the Raptors are truly hiring a GM that will have true accountability and authority over roster and player decisions, this is absolutely fantastic news for Raptors fans. Let BC run the concession oeprations, come up with ticket bundle promotions and handle meet and greets with corporate sponsors. Allow a manager who doesn’t have a flawed approach and philosophy of the game run the basketball operations. This could actually be the silver lining of the last few miserable years. We’ve tried your approach BC, it didn’t work, now let’s do it correctly. Let Casey coach the team and hold EVERY player accountable and new GM, get Bargnani out of here on the first thing smoking.

However, after the past shinnanigans of the habitual installation of brown nosing yes men during Colangelo’s reign (Gheredhini, Triano as head coach, some no name trainer that was Bargnanni and Gheredhini’s boy, Triano as special brown nosing assistant to the GM etc.), you’ll excuse me if I wait to see tangible proof.

by MAS11 on Sep 21, 2011 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

This hiring will certainly be another chance for Colangelo to show whether he has truly turned over a new leaf or not.

by DW19 on Sep 21, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Let BC run the concession oeprations,

Maybe MLSE is looking to puchase Tim-Hortons LOL

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm hoping that

the reason for this is that either or both BC and MLSE realize that there won’t(can’t) be that much conceivable change over the next 2 years… and as some have said, they may be putting someone in place for the future. In some cases where you can draft a supernatural talent like Durant or Lebron, it is possible… but most rebuilds just take more time. Just as drafting JV over any of the ‘instant impact’ NCAA stars would seem to indicate, hopefully they are trying to put the franchise in a better position for the long term. With either Pritchard or Lindsey we have experienced managers who have been party to building successful teams and finding ways to win. Combining that with the touted defensive pedigree of Casey, it gives me hope that the franchise is headed in the right direction.

by JCF on Sep 22, 2011 2:20 AM EDT reply actions

Bower and CP3

That is the ticket laddy

Paul untouchable? Owner signals differently
Adrian Wojnarowski

By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports Thursday, Jun 24, 2010

NEW YORK – For months, rival executives’ calls to New Orleans general manager Jeff Bower on Chris Paul(notes) were met with an unmistakable response: Don’t bother. No engagement, no discussions. The Hornets’ franchise star was untouchable.

This has changed now. Bower still hasn’t started to shop him, but those close to Paul believed a threshold was crossed with the mixed message from the owner’s public statement on Wednesday. Nowhere did they hear out of George Shinn’s legendarily duplicitous mouth what the Hornets had always maintained about Chris Paul: We won’t trade him.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-chrispaul062310

Off-seasons are made for dreams

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Amir and Euro Training - LOL

IamAmirJohnson bout roll up to LMU to get this Euro workout in ya digg http://t.co/6TD3beoQ
About 11 hours ago by Amir Johnson Toronto Raptors – Forward

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

Chris Kaman: So I heard from the inside that we might actually have a full season still and some low key meetings r going on right now! Twitter
Rumors tagsLos Angeles Clippers, CBA, Lockout, Chris Kaman, NBPA

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

The whisper now is that San Antonio, which granted Portland permission to interview Lindsey, is growing impatient with the process and will soon close that window.

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2011/09/canzano_time_is_running_short.html

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

Toronto managed to steal Turkoglu from under Portland’s nose (wow that worked out well!!)

Can Colangelo repeat history with Lindsey?

BTW, if you were an NBA exec with good prospects would you try your chances with Paul Allen’s whimsical ownership or Colangelo and the MLSE circus?

by DW19 on Sep 22, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Bower or Bust

by Buddahfan on Sep 22, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

This article mentions Troy Weaver (apparently a Rich Cho disciple). He might not be a bad guy for the Raptors to consider. I would put him ahead of Stefanski and Bower if I were making a short list.

by DW19 on Sep 22, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

One point I wanted to make. I have been one of BC’s biggest critics on here for the last few seasons but I have always wondered if this team wasn’t hurt badly by their first year success under his leadership. Listed:

1. Having to keep a coach he didn’t really want in Mitchell.
2. Setting up expectations for the fanbase that were probably unrealistic.
3. Falling for the old “we are almost there” trap that so many middle teams go for (instead of continuing to build slowly, sudden success seems to force quick fixes and short sighted trades/signings amongst a lot of teams.
4. Most importantly, the loss of the Raptors 1st round pick which if they had kept it would have been Jared Dudley. Dudley may not be a superstar but he would have been a solid addition to this team in a position that this team has had a hard time filling over the years (SF). If they had missed the playoffs completely they might have even had a shot at adding some real talent(Noah went 9th in that draft for example and Thaddeus Young went 12th).

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