Bryan Colangelo Steps Down as Raptors President

Not suprised.

The Raptors needed a change of face. To be honest, his big mistake was that he held onto Bargnani as long as he did. We’ve known for ages now that Barg is useless, but he’s still on the team.

That, and a few other questionable decisions, as well.

1. Keeping Bargnani instead of Roy Hibbert.

2. Reaching for Ross last year when they already had a gunner on the roster in DeRozan.

3. Trading their pick this year for KYLE LOWRY.

Masai Ujiri has his work cut out for him.

Not suprised.

The Raptors needed a change of face. To be honest, his big mistake was that he held onto Bargnani as long as he did. We’ve known for ages now that Barg is useless, but he’s still on the team.

That, and a few other questionable decisions, as well.

1. Keeping Bargnani instead of Roy Hibbert.

2. Reaching for Ross last year when they already had a gunner on the roster in DeRozan.

3. Trading their pick this year for KYLE LOWRY.

Masai Ujiri has his work cut out for him.

It was only a matter of time until he distanced himself

It was only a matter of time until he distanced himself

TomShoe
I noticed you got some thumbs down on that post, I gave you one as well so I’ll explain why.

1.Keeping Bargnani instead of Hibbert.
-Toronto traded the rights to Roy Hibbert for Jermaine O’Neal. At that time it was way to early to give up on such a high talent 1st overall pick. During that time the knock on Toronto was that they were not tough enough in the paint and that our two young forwards Bargnani and Bosh were soft. Acquiring O’Neal was not only done to provide grit and toughness inside so we could not only have that presence but teach our bugs how to play tough. At the time the trade was made everybody loved it and Toronto was not looking to build young assets at that time the goal was to advance through the first round of the playoffs. In the end Jermaine O’Neal turned out to be a black hole for the offence and did not coexist with Calderon or Bosh for that matter and hindsight would prove trading Bargnani would be the better move. Although at the same time Indiana should get some credit for Hibberts development because he showed the same lackadaisical focus issues out of college that Bargnani has and he was also considered soft and immobile.The same way Indiana deserves credit for developing Roy Toronto should be shunned for not developing Andrea. Accountability goes both ways.

2.Reaching for Ross
I wouldn’t say Ross was a reach at least not at this point. The only three prospects at the same talent level or better that were available are Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb, and John Henson. At the time Raps had Bargnani who was coming off a good season, Amir Johnson captain consistency and Ed Davis an intriguing defensive PFvso drafting Henson was out of question. Dwayne Casey told Bryan Colengelo he wants an athletic wing that can SHOOT and play D at high levels of intensity, so with Barnes, Lillard, and Beal off the board that leaves Ross and Lamb. Lamb did not have good interviews leaving GMs questioning his drive and focus so Ross got the nod.

As far as Drummond goes Raps already drafted Valanciunas. Developing two 20 year old Cs in a man’s league is not an easy task although I like the “you can never have enough extremely athletic 7’footers” motto. With no veteran leadership and splitting your focus on two young bigs was not something Toronto wanted to do. They want Ross to learn from Derozan and pressure Derozan to work and become the star he can become.

3.Trading 1st Round Pick for Lowry
This may end up being a bad trade although I doubt it. Lowry played amazing before he got injured people seem to forget he came in averaging 20ppg, 5rpg, 5apg, 2spg. He got injured and the ongoing theme in Toronto…Calderon took his starting position back. Lowry returned playing off the bench uninspired and Casey/Colengelo kept riding Calderon to increase his stock and trade him for Fay with Davis. Since then Lowry has adapted to not being the primary ballhandler with Derozan, Gay, and Bargnani all being legit NBA ISO threats. Would I trade Lowry for MCW or Schroeder…tough decision but I think I would keep Lowry at this point.

TomShoe
I noticed you got some thumbs down on that post, I gave you one as well so I’ll explain why.

1.Keeping Bargnani instead of Hibbert.
-Toronto traded the rights to Roy Hibbert for Jermaine O’Neal. At that time it was way to early to give up on such a high talent 1st overall pick. During that time the knock on Toronto was that they were not tough enough in the paint and that our two young forwards Bargnani and Bosh were soft. Acquiring O’Neal was not only done to provide grit and toughness inside so we could not only have that presence but teach our bugs how to play tough. At the time the trade was made everybody loved it and Toronto was not looking to build young assets at that time the goal was to advance through the first round of the playoffs. In the end Jermaine O’Neal turned out to be a black hole for the offence and did not coexist with Calderon or Bosh for that matter and hindsight would prove trading Bargnani would be the better move. Although at the same time Indiana should get some credit for Hibberts development because he showed the same lackadaisical focus issues out of college that Bargnani has and he was also considered soft and immobile.The same way Indiana deserves credit for developing Roy Toronto should be shunned for not developing Andrea. Accountability goes both ways.

2.Reaching for Ross
I wouldn’t say Ross was a reach at least not at this point. The only three prospects at the same talent level or better that were available are Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb, and John Henson. At the time Raps had Bargnani who was coming off a good season, Amir Johnson captain consistency and Ed Davis an intriguing defensive PFvso drafting Henson was out of question. Dwayne Casey told Bryan Colengelo he wants an athletic wing that can SHOOT and play D at high levels of intensity, so with Barnes, Lillard, and Beal off the board that leaves Ross and Lamb. Lamb did not have good interviews leaving GMs questioning his drive and focus so Ross got the nod.

As far as Drummond goes Raps already drafted Valanciunas. Developing two 20 year old Cs in a man’s league is not an easy task although I like the “you can never have enough extremely athletic 7’footers” motto. With no veteran leadership and splitting your focus on two young bigs was not something Toronto wanted to do. They want Ross to learn from Derozan and pressure Derozan to work and become the star he can become.

3.Trading 1st Round Pick for Lowry
This may end up being a bad trade although I doubt it. Lowry played amazing before he got injured people seem to forget he came in averaging 20ppg, 5rpg, 5apg, 2spg. He got injured and the ongoing theme in Toronto…Calderon took his starting position back. Lowry returned playing off the bench uninspired and Casey/Colengelo kept riding Calderon to increase his stock and trade him for Fay with Davis. Since then Lowry has adapted to not being the primary ballhandler with Derozan, Gay, and Bargnani all being legit NBA ISO threats. Would I trade Lowry for MCW or Schroeder…tough decision but I think I would keep Lowry at this point.