Common mis-perceptions regarding the sources of the Raptors’ problems
Monday, April 19th, 2010According to Toronto Sports Media 20 “local and well-known NBA observers” were contacted, directly via email, and asked to give a one word answer [i.e. either "yes" or "no"], in confidence, to a straight-forward question concerning:
Toronto Raptors Should Let Chris Bosh Go
“Your [sic] the Toronto Raptors, assume you can sign Bosh at the maximum- would you do it?”
Apparently,
17 respondents said, “NO.”
3 respondents said, “Yes.”
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These are very interesting facts.
In response …
These are 2 comments which yours truly submitted earlier today to the Toronto Sports Media.
Enjoy!
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1st Comment, April 19, 2010, 8:20 AM
2nd Comment, April 19, 2010, 8:34 AM
Here’s a simple test of who knows what concerning the proper workings of the NBA:
Q1. In recent years which, if any, of the following teams have failed to re-sign the best player on their own team?
LA Lakers
Orlando Magic
Boston Celtics
San Antonio Spurs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Miami Heat
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons
A1. THE FACT IS …
The best organizations in the NBA [i.e. those that are actually trying to WIN the NBA championship and NOT merely trying to be "competitive" profit-making machines for their owner] are the ones that ALWAYS re-sign their best player.
The “Treadmill Teams” in the NBA [i.e. those that are NOT really trying to WIN the NBA championship but are merely trying to be "competitive" profit-making machines for their owner] are the ones that fail to regularly re-sign their own best player.
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Your feedback is welcome in the comments section here. 
PS. It is going to be extremely interesting to hear and watch what Bryan Colangelo … and the media in attendance … has to say at today’s end-of-season press conference about the current state of the Raptors franchise and where it will go from this point forward.
PPS. Listen closely to see if, at any time, Bryan Colangelo actually uses any of the following words:
“It’s the long term of the Toronto Raptors to be able to win the league championship.”
[which were words used by Paul Beeston, new/old CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays last week]
If he fails to do this … it will tell you everything which you need to know about the Toronto Raptors franchise, now and heading towards the future.
The reason 17 of 20 respondents answered with a “no” is because so many individuals in Raptorville do not really understand what’s required to win a championship in the NBA, including a high percentage of the team’s fans, MSM members and employees of MLSE, etc.
Blame for poor performance is habitually assigned to the wrong source concerning both the Maple Leafs and the Raptors and until this changes there will be no long term improvement on the ice or court for either team.
For example … wrong impressions concerning the Raptors include:
Chris Bosh is not a player who is worth a maximum contract.
Chris Bosh’s best position is Power Forward.
Chris Bosh is a poor-average defender.
Chris Bosh is not a player who is capable of carrying a team to a deep playoff run.
Chris Bosh is not a first-class leader.
Jose Calderon is a poor defensive player at the point of attack.
Jose Calderon is a low risk PG who is incapable of creating easy shots for his teammates.
Jose Calderon is a poor leader.
Andrea Bargnani is the kind of player around whom a championship team can be built around in the NBA.
Andrea Bargnani is a capable defensive player.
Andrea Bargnani’s personality and specific skill-set at the position which he happens to play best are not main problems for the Raptors.
Andrea Bargnani is a top notch athlete as a Center in the NBA.
Andrea Bargnani is a top notch athlete as a Power Forward in the NBA.
Andrea Bargnani’s best position in the NBA is Small Forward.
Andrea Bargnani’s best position in the NBA is Power Forward.
Antoine Wright is a good defensive player.
Antoine Wright is the best defensive wing player on the Raptors.
Antoine Wright is an out-spoken player who qualifies as a leader based on what he has to say about the play of his team when he speaks with the media.
Jarrett Jack is a better Point Guard than Jose Calderon.
Jarrett Jack is a solid offensive player.
Jarrett Jack is a solid defensive player.
Jarrett Jack has the type of personality around whom a contending team can be built in the NBA.
Hedo Turkoglu is a top notch SF in the NBA who deserved a $50.0 M contract last summer as an UFA.
Hedo Turkoglu is the type of defensive player who can thrive as a teammate of players like Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani.
Reggie Evans is the type of player who can bring a sense of toughness to the team he plays for in the NBA, at this stage of his career.
Marco Belinelli has a scorer’s mentality and is best used as an Off Guard in the NBA.
DeMar DeRozan is not a better NBA player than Antoine Wright and/or Sonny Weems.
Marcus Banks is not a better back-up PG than Jarrett Jack.
etc., etc., etc.
The actual list is almost endless.
Until these types of misperceptions are changed in the minds of many around Raptorville … this organization will continue to under-achieve on a consistent basis.
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