14 Responses to “Suns Scorch Raptors”

1. 1.
   February 26th, 2011 at 9:14 am
   

   Eric, you were bang on with the “cheer Nash, boo Carter” guess.

   You have to love Nash saying basically “it was good to see Carter putting in the effort tonight. We’re a good team when he does….”

   He’ll he booed until he retires…then a few more years just to make sure he doesn’t come back :0)

   - Gary
2. 2.
   February 26th, 2011 at 10:44 am
   

   Since I like Paul and Eric and the way they handle all callers on the post-game with respect, it pains me to say the post-game after the loss to the Suns sounded like a PR commercial for the GM and the coach .

   Every type of justification was made in defense of Colangelo and Jay. It was embarrassing .

   At one point, Colangelo was complimented for his “tinkering ” with the roster, that started with 47 wins .. then got to 41, then Paul realised the tinkering had got Raps to 16 wins, so he stopped that train of logic because it was so ludicrous.

   Imo Colangelo has made a mess of the roster in 5 yrs ,although the players are playing hard for the most part.
   Jay is a solid coach whose message doesn’t seem to be getting through to the players .
   Raps are 3-19 in last 22 games.
   Changes at the top seem justified

   - Chas
3. 3.
   February 26th, 2011 at 11:32 am
   

   @ Chas, you can’t say that the coach’s message isn’t getting through after you say the players are playing hard. It is a complte contradiction. Triano has these guys putting out an effort every single night, apart form the first qtr vs. PHX last night.

   Even though the Raps lostg in a blow out fashion, it was good to see them still battle and still sweat to try and find a way back into the game, which they nearly did. This group of young, talented players is only going to get better. The addiditon of James Johnson is going to be the end of either Sonny Weems or Linas Kleiza. I love the effort he puts in on the defensive end and I think he could potentially become a solid piece, either starting or off of the bench.

   Dpeding on what happens over the summer and into the first few weeks of next season, I would hope that Triano can turn either Kleiza or Weems into a pick or as part of a package for a legit centre (developing or otherwise), especially of BC can get his hands on a guy like Battier to be the veteran on the team.

   Bargs and DDR are really showing what they can do to other teams when they are playing well. These two guys are going to anchor the offence for years to come. I don’t much care about their defense, so long as they put in an effort and continue to develop their rebounding games.

   This is going to be an interesting summer for the Raps, whether or not BC is around. I assume that they will try to use the remainder fo the Bosh expemtion on a veteran piece (Battier) and perhaps make a deal or two for another PG (which depends solely on Bayless) and perhaps that legit centre to play alongside BArgs, letting him destroy opposing 4′s and giving Amir and Ed Davis the chance to play together in the second unit. Either way, it’s going to be awesome.

   LET’S GO RAPTORS!!!

   - T.J.
4. 4.
   February 26th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
   

   Eric…just read your comment re: the national anthem, and “Raptors fans should/could learning something…”.

   I will tread very, very gently here…but, you’re dealing with a very different demographic at Raps games. Not too sure the video-game obsessed, ADHD stricken, chest bumpin’, egomaniacal “kids” in attendance would have the slightest clue what to do during that kind of moment.

   Not that Leafs fans should be free from criticism. But, one thing you will find a ton of inside most of those souls is a whole lot of respect for those who have, and continue, to support the freedoms Canadians enjoy every single day.

   I am 100% opposed to this ridiculous “war”. But, I absolutely, fully support the heroes who have been sent into battle.

   I greatly appreciate your post. Let’s hope the under-30 crowd takes it to heart.

   - brento.
5. 5.
   February 27th, 2011 at 11:54 am
   

   Eric,

   I would like you to adress. I have been very critical of BC and his moves during his long tenure here in Toronto. You said a couple of things I would like you to adress. 1. BC is the face of the franchise. How can you substantiate this comment when, BC’s name has not brought any tyoe of favor or fortune to this franchise from league officials, players or other GM’s. When Jerry West left the Lakers organization to go to the Grizzles he still had strong ties with L.A which likely equated to Paul Gasol becoming a Laker. This is indicative of the Fact that Jerry west is a respected basketball guy with connections. In Boston While Danny Ainge was sinking he reached out to Kevin Mchale a long time Celtic to get a deal done for Garnett, low and behold a deal get’s done. Again this deal get’s done because of connections. What fortunes has Toronto had because we have a guy with the last name Colangelo. You can say till your blue face that we have a respected GM, how can you substatite that given our record over the last couple years. On Another note I have been openly critical of the fact that Colangelo is just starting the rebuilding now, as oppose to when he got here. On friday’s Rap you and Jonesy said Bosh would not have stayed had Colangelo Tore down the team when he got here. Today based on Chris Bosh’s actions over the summer we can probably conclude that he is not so much a leader as he is a follower. When he signed his first extension can we not conclude that Chris signing the contract extension was a result of his conterparts signing extentions with there current teams. Is there anything to support the fact that he would of left after just a few seasons? As oppose to doing what everyone else did.
   When Colangelo got here and if he decided to rebuild, lets’ not forget we had Calderone, we had Charlie V we had a first overall pick upcoming, and plenty of cap space. These are solid essentials to have for rebuilding quikly in my eyes.

   Please adress.

   - Thomas
6. 6.
   February 27th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
   

   I think I realise what is happening on the post-game show?

   The station might be balancing off the criticism made on Colangelo during the day-time programs like Bob McCown.
   Kind of like point-counterpoint.

   - Chas
7. 7.
   February 27th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
   

   Chas

   a – glad ya like us. thanks

   b – sorry to ‘disappoint’ but that’s how i/we feel. and while you’re certainly entitled to your opinion….that isn’t PR for triano or BC.

   we were asked a question and we gave our opinion. sorry ya didn’t like it.

   i still stand by — as i’ve said for months — stability being the most important factor for the raptors right now. that includes BC (who i said i’d sign to a 2-3 year deal) and triano (who i’ve said would be back but likely on a short leash next year)

   i find it funny that so many felt the raptors were going to be bad / struggle this year and now that they are … this guy and that guy should be fired. doesn’t make sense to me.

   so many say the D hasn’t improved (and, admittedly, it’s terrible) yet nobody mentions how players like Amir Johnson, DeMar DeRozan, and Ed Davis have IMPROVED and Andrea Bargnani has as well (top 20 scorer) — though you only hear about rebounding from a lot of people. but i guess the coach gets no credit for that stuff.

   The BC side of things has been addressed too often already and i’m to – briefly – weigh in on it with my friend Thomas anyway …

   - Eric Smith
8. 8.
   February 27th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
   

   Thomas –

   I’m keeping this brief cause I really don’t know what else you want me to say. I don’t agree with you, and you don’t agree with me. I’m fine with that. But you seem to want to keep harping on it show after show … and now in the blog too …

   Your Bosh argument is weak at best and holds no ‘facts’. BUUUUT, it’s an opinion and you’re entitled to it. I simply believe it’s naive to think that he would have stayed if you ‘sold’ him in a ‘rebuild’ project. he wanted to win. he wanted to play with his buddies — 2 of the league’s top 5 players — and so he did so. the ONLY way in my eyes you had a shot at keeping him is if the raptors were winning more consistently / made the playoffs (and went on a run?) last year and things worked out with Hedo, etc. Too bad that wasn’t clearer when the Raps were 7 games above .500 at the all star break … their best-ever record just prior to the deadline. I hazard to guess that Toronto would have done what Denver just did with Melo if they knew, truly, what was going to unfold in July (with Bosh leaving). Flip the roles — let Denver lose Melo for ‘nothing’ last year and let Cleveland and Toronto sit back and watch and learn … and I bet Cleveland and Toronto would have traded LeBron and Bosh as well. such is life.

   as for your other point …

   Ainge was thought to be one of the worst GMs in the league. But because he got a friend (mchale) to agree to being fleeced in a horrendous trade, he’s suddenly respected and/or a genius? ditto for Mitch k in LA; he’s only ‘great’ cause he swindled memphis?

   That’s pretty weak too. You’re looking at ONE side. What about the other gm’s on the other side that got hoodwinked?

   Or, based on your example, what about colangelo actually finding a trade partner for the untradable contract (and player), hedo turkoglu? no credit there thomas?

   i think your logic is flawed. but, again, that’s fine … you’re entitled to your opinion. you want BC fired … and i’m fine with that. i just don’t see why were have to keep re-hashing it over and over and over.

   - Eric Smith
9. 9.
   February 27th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
   

   no, there is no great conspiracy going on Chas. nothing pre-planned has been set up with me, mccown, etc …

   go look for UFOs elsewhere :)

   - Eric Smith
10. 10.
    February 27th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
    

    TJ…you’re joking, right? Please say you’re just trying to rile us all up…

    (a)it’s “good to see the Raptors battle and sweat”?!?!?! Uhhhh…they’re professional athletes. That’s their job.

    (b) Re: Johnson — “I love the effort he puts in on the defensive end and I think he could potentially become a solid piece”. Uhhhh…he’s played two games. Enough said.

    (c) you hope that “Triano can turn either Kleiza or Weems into a pick or as part of a package for a legit centre…”. I guess you meant the general manager. Uhhhh…and, while he’s at it, maybe Bargnani can be traded for Kobe Bryant. Kleiza and Weems are completely fringe. Worth little to nothing.

    (d) Re: Bargs and DD — “I don’t much care about their defense”. Uhhh…the Raps are 4th last in the NBA in winning %, and 30th in defense. Think their might be a connection? But, you don’t care about the defense of two of their starters? Good work.

    (e) I’m glad you think the Raptor’s offseason will be “awesome”. I can’t even begin to imagine how you must have been during the “almost” playoff runs…

    With all due respect — because you seem to be an awfully nice fellow — but, we should all be very, very thankful the majority of the Raptors’ fan base is not nearly as forgiving as you.

    - brento.
11. 11.
    February 27th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
    

    Eric

    Rgeardless of what you say about Danny Ainge the team won a championship under his watch and the team was put over the hump by a transaction that he and another GM spearheaded.
    Kudos to Ainge. Colangelo has been a GM longer than ainge with more talented team an still has no ring to show.

    Colangelo got rid of Hedo’s contract to pheonix simply because Hedo’s agent became the GM of the suns. Are we a better team today because of that, well this year’s record would suggest no. Eric about my Bosh statement, you simply say that Bosh wanted to leave to play with his buddies,my point was not geared towards the here and now, I was simply speaking about Chris’s mindset befor the extention, you seem to think that Chris’s departure recently is how he felt back then. All Im simply saying is, Chris was young not much years under his belt and still shaping his Allstar career, there was no indication that he wanted out at that point and that he was so desperate to win. ALL his BUDDIES signed extentions with their respective teams and Chris did the same thing his buddies did, much like what we saw this past summer. How is that a week arguement?
    How many susperstar’s do you see that leave in the first opportunity that they get, especially when the team that own’s their right’s can offer them the most money? Please answer that question? By the way In regards to Andrea, does this mean that you think he will get out because we won’t be able to sell him on this rebuild. I’ll tell you right now Bargnani is in the same situation Chris was in. We have picks forthcoming, we have capspace, contracts coming off the books and exception. almost identical to Chris befor the extention. You call it neive Eric, I call it logical thinking.

    Your Thoughts.

    - Thomas
12. 12.
    February 27th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
    

    Eric…don’t even bother trying to gather support for your “keep Colangelo in charge” position. It will be 100% futile. You know that.

    Your theory is entirely, and astonishingly, based on the idea that Colangelo creates a kind of “stability” here that will help build (woops…almost said “rebuild” — it’s, actually, never been built!) a winning team that will be successful in the playoffs.

    Unfortunately, Eric…the idea makes no sense, whatsoever. It’s been five years of failure (1 playoff win), so that stability clearly has not brought success. And, there is no indication that the “stability” (a) exists or (b) has any value in this league.

    To me, it reeks of one thing: FEAR. Fear that change may bring more failure. Fear that if we continue to fail (with a different GM), we’ll never know what would have happened had MLSE resigned Colangelo. Fear that the fanbase will rebel against ownership, once the “saviour” is finally distinguished from this team.

    Let me assure you of something, Eric. There is no more BC cache. Fans don’t belief the hype, anymore. And, we are tired of MLSE spinning it’s wheels, constantly directing it’s efforts in the wrong direction.

    The stability “case” is paper-thin. And, without it, Eric…you have no basis for your argument to continue to let BC run this team into the ground.

    I know you are convinced the Raptors will stay in Toronto. I would like to believe the same thing. But, I can assure you — if this tradition of losing continues, this WILL be fallout from the failure. The Raptors are NOT the Maple Leafs.

    - brento.
13. 13.
    February 28th, 2011 at 9:26 am
    

    Eric ,
    I didn’t say there was a conspiracy or anything planned.
    It’s just obvious that your role and Paul’s vs McCown’s are different.

    If MLSE or GM ever complained about criticism on the Fan590, the station can point to the post-game show to prove that Raps, GM and Jay get praised for their achievements there.

    Time to go search for UFOs.They’re almost as rare as Rap wins.

    - Chas
14. 14.
    March 1st, 2011 at 3:39 pm
    

    Steve Nash wasn’t at his best & neither was Public Enemy #1 Vince Carter. Then again, neither were the Raptors. Although, Eric got it right when Toronto fans cheered for Nash & booed Carter.

    - Carlos