Fixing The Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are coming into what should be an easier four game stretch against Washington, Chicago, Minnesota, and Milwaukee.  At least it had better be an easier stretch because if the Raptors can’t beat these teams, their playoff aspirations are purely fictitious.

And the Raptors have done everything in their power to lower the expectations of their fans recently, losing five games in a row to slide their record to 7-13, with losess to a 4-9 Bobcats team on the road and the 5-10 Wizards at home.

The Raptors players have begun to voice their concerns to the media and Bryan Colangelo has rushed out to meet his team on the road.  Everyone is looking for answers to the Raptors’ sudden collapse.

The solutions to the Raptors problems seem obvious.  The team can either:

1) Work with what they have.

2) Fire the coach; or,

3) Make a trade or trades.

Most everyone expected the Raptors to get off to a slow start and a 7-13 record by itself would not be a reason to consider changes.  But, it’s how the 7-13 record was reached that causes concern.

The Raptors have lost games they should have won.

Teams they had no business losing to have blown them out.

The Raptors gave up 146 points in the loss to Atlanta putting up no real resistance and very little effort.

Bad games were followed by statements from head coach Jay Triano that seemed to indicate the players were trying and they just missed shots.

Working With What You Have

Finally the team had a meeting to “clear the air” and Triano has stated that changes may be coming.  Although this didn’t seem to be forthcoming until after Bryan Colangelo got involved in the situation.

Maybe this is just a case of a rookie coach going through growing pains at the NBA level.  It’s possible Triano, with Colangelo’s help, can heal a divided locker room and re-instill a game plan and team atmosphere that is conducive to winning.

Maybe Triano will stop force-feeding in failed lineups that have cost the Raptors games like his controversial “ball-handling” lineup?

There is enough talent on the Raptors to fix their own problems.

Fire The Coach

There is a long-standing tradition in professional sports that says when the players won’t or can’t do what the coach asks of them, the solution is to fire the coach.

And firing the coach is usually cheaper, easier, and faster than trying to find new players who the coach may have more success with.

There is also a long-standing tradition (in most businesses) of promoting someone to a new position and then leaving them to sink or swim on their own.  Then firing them when they inevitably get into trouble.

Perhaps a little help and guidance would be prudent before firing the coach?

Of course, there is no way to know just how much help and guidance has been offered or if such help was favorably received.

But after Jay Triano’s 32-53 start to his coaching career and a 7-13 start to the new season, no one should blame Bryan Colangelo if he decides it’s time to erase his most recent hiring blunder.

Trade Somebody

Nearly every fan and analyst has their favorite Raptors player that they would like to see moved.  But players are team assets and any trades should make both long-term and short-term sense for the organization.

It can be very difficult to decide who or if players should be traded.  Factors such as the team’s financial restrictions, future contract commitments, and CBA restrictions on specific player’s movements all need to be factored in.

The Toronto Raptors have never shown a willingness to buy a playoff team like Cleveland, Boston, LA Lakers, or Dallas.  MLSE likes their revenue sharing cheques from the league’s luxury tax teams.

The Raptors have effectively capped their payroll at the luxury tax line.  Therefore trades and new signings are carefully done to keep the Raptors payroll below that level.

So any trade that the Raptors would consider will likely have to return equal or less salary than is going out.

And to get a player(s) back who can make a difference, the Raptors will have to trade an asset someone else will covet.  That’s not a long list.

If the Raptors make a trade that will improve/change the team, they are looking at Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, or Chris Bosh. In a package deal, other teams will likely be looking to add Amir Johnson or Marco Belinelli.

Turkgolu and Jack cannot be traded until after December 15 and recently signed free agents can be difficult to move.

If the Raptors do make a trade, some fans are not going to be happy.

Do Something

At this point, all most Raptors fans want to see action.

A response from management that says the embarrassing five-game losing streak isn’t acceptable and they are doing something about it.

And working with what you have can be the immediate response. But if it doesn’t show immediate results, further action is expected.

Raptors fans deserve better.