Toronto Raptors: What Is Brian Colangelo Doing Wrong?
As human beings, we need explanations for the things which happen around us, without the "good guy" or the "bad guy" we can grow frustrated. As Raptors fans, we've seen mixed results in the last five years, making the playoffs only twice.
Brian Colangelo, the '07 Executive of the Year has been far from hesitant to shake up the roster, but was he in his right mind to make some of the decisions which he had during his five years with the Raptors? Raptor fans have been whining as of late, some calling for an end to Colangelo's tenure with the Raptors as Toronto finishes this season third last in the league.
My personal answer to these cries is: People are just shortsighted. The Raptors had two choices early this season. They could have:
1.) Traded their pick and used their cap space/exception/expiring contracts/young raw players for expensive but fairly good players who were on the block (at the beginning of the season Iggy/Monta Ellis/Brandon Haywood/O.J Mayo/Jamal Crawford/Elton Brand/Everyone on the pistons were on the block).
This would've put us in the playoffs this year, even though we'd be cash-strapped for a seventh to eighth-seeded team for two to three years.
2.) Tank it out, prepare for a splash next season as young players develop and the team positions itself to acquire very good players through draft and free agency.
This move would make us one of the worst teams in the NBA, but we'll be a playoff team next season, and possibly even more scary two seasons from now.
Brian Colangelo picked the second option, and just as we're about to see the inevitable good from this plan, some fans are crying about our win/loss record and suggesting we bring in somebody who might just ruin the rebuilding process and set us back even more.
In this slideshow, we're going to evaluate some of the major moves made by B.C. and determine if he is a worthy G.M. for the Raptors.
Charlie Villanueva for T.J Ford
1 of 10
Charlie V. had a great rookie campaign with the Raptors. Doing 13.4ppg a night and bringing down 6.4 boards, Villanueva looked like he'd be a good player for years to come.
One of biggest moves by B.C his first summer with the Raptors was to trade Charlie Villanueva for Milwaukee Bucks point guard T.J Ford (June, 30th, 2006). Ford was a young quick guard who had a good relationship with Chris Bosh. Ford put up 12.2ppg a night while dishing out 6.6 assists.
Some people wanted Mike James to be resigned, instead of trading away a valuable prospect for a new point guard.
The trade looked worse for the Raptors on paper but turned out to be a great bargain as Ford helped push the raptors to the playoffs the next year with the No. 3 seed.
Overall: Bryan Colangelo pulled together a very solid roster that first season, and this trade scores:
B+ = on paper
A - = on the court
International Flavour
2 of 10
Brian Colangelo has brought over plenty of Europeans, hiring assistant GM Maurizio Gherardini in '06 to help steal talent from Europe. Though plenty of these moves have been made throughout the years, the summer of '06 saw the Raptors signing two International superstars to the roster: Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa.
Garbo and Parker both started for the Raptors and produced productively as the Raptors won the Atlantic that year.
Anthony Parker: 12.4ppg shooting 44 percent from deep.
Garbo: 8.5ppg, 5rpg
These moves were generally of good value (Parker $5 million per year; Garbajosa $4 million per year), and they played very key roles for the Raptors. Parker is a blue collar player and is still productive as a Cav, and Garbo would be today's equivalent to Ersan Ilyasova.
Overall these moves would be graded as:
B - = on paper
B+ = on the court
Jose Calderon's Contract
3 of 10
The Raptors looked like they could use a change in the point guard position once more in 2008 as Jose Calderon started producing remarkably in the 56 games he started that year (13.4ppg, 9.1apg), and T.J ford seemed like he wasn't producing consistently enough to keep this team rolling (12.1ppg, 6.1apg).
Signing Jose actually looked like a smart move as he was poised to have a breakout year being full time PG.
Calderon was resigned the summer of '08 to a large multi-year contract for around $7.5-$8.5 million per year. At the time, there wasn't a lot of critics towards the move, and many felt Calderon was going to be a top PG in the league the following season. NBA 2k9 had Calderon's rating at 86 which was near All-Star level.
What actually happened with Calderon was a sad story. Turned out he wasn't really good at defense, and his numbers did not jump out despite starting. Calderon had injuries and Jarret Jack to ruin his numbers, but even as he finished this season playing solid, I'm sure we'd trade him pretty quick given the right scenario for cash reasons alone.
Overall this signing was:
A = on paper
D = on the court
J.O to T.O
4 of 10
As T.J Ford didn't look like he would be needed in Toronto, B.C traded him for Jermaine O'neal. This was a gamble move because J.O a perennial All-Star saw his numbers declining. J.O had just gotten back from surgery though and wasn't THAT old at 30.
Jermaine O'neal was expected to have a "bounce-back" season and increase his scoring and rebounding from the previous injury-plagued year (he did 19-10, then dropped to 13.6-6.7 before Toronto got him). Even if Jermaine only recovered to 15-16ppg, that would've been more than enough for Ford, and that would've put Toronto back in the top five in the east.
Jermaine O'neal even had a rating of 84 on NBA 2k9 which was pretty good. Roy Hibbert was unknown and was taken at 17th. Not a lot of people really expected Hibbert to be more then a solid player in the league, and the Raptors didn't want to wait two years to find out if he'd be worth keeping.
This move was another neck breaker as Jermaine O'neal only scored 13.5ppg and grabbed 7rpg in the half season he was with Toronto. It turned out Jermaine was past his heyday and couldn't play the center position. Personally, I felt if he had stayed in Indiana that season, he would've gone back to producing 15-16ppg as a power forward, but this trade turned out to be pretty good for Indiana anyway as T.J Ford produced 14.9ppg and 5.3apg.
Overall, this trade was great on paper. Raptor fans were talking about the Finals, and Jermaine O'neal himself even mentioned the Finals during his press conference. The Raptors missed the playoffs all together with a 33-49 record. This move gets a:
A = on paper
C = on the Court
Drafting Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 Pick
5 of 10
The 2006 draft class was not expected to produce many stars, and the Raptors were lucky enough to have the top pick that year. This in reality was a huge opportunity for Bryan Colangelo to draft that second All-Star the Raptors would need to dominate in this league.
The majority of the mock drafts had Andrea Bargnani as a top-five pick, and usually, LaMarcus Aldridge was seen as the top pick. Also included in the top five of most mock drafts were Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay.
Bryan Colangelo decided to pass on Aldridge as he played the same position as Bosh, and Bargnani showed much potential as being a solid seven-footer in this league. The issue with Bargnani's defense was largely ignored by scouts, and many had just assumed he'd get better at rebounding and defense as time would pass.
Brandon Roy won the Rookie of the Year that year and developed into a superstar SG. Roy's knee's were an issue, and even though many of us would still take him first anyway despite his current troubles in Portland, Colangelo had reason to pass on him.
As for the other top prospects who Colangelo passed on, considering Adam Morrison was taken third and Sheldon Williams fourth, Colangelo technically didn't blow this opportunity as bad as some would think.
Overall this choice receives a:
B = on Paper
B- = on the Court
Firing Sam Mitchell
6 of 10
As the 2008 season was under way, the Raptors were far from being a dominant force in the East. The Raptors held a 8-9 record, and fans and players already smelled a disappointing season.
Coach Sam Mitchell was given the Coach of the Year Award in 2007 and was extended to a four-year contract. Colangelo felt the team was underachieving after a blowout loss to the Nuggets where the Raptors lost by 38 points. The next day, it was reported that Sam Mitchell was fired by the Raptors.
Jay Triano was put in charge, and his up-tempo style was supposed to help Toronto look more like Colangelo's previous team—the Phoenix Suns.
Toronto's winning percentage went from 47 percent with Mitchell to 40 percent with Triano as the Raptors ended up missing the playoffs as a whole. To date, Triano has not coached a playoff team, and though he doesn't have a lot to work with, this move was criticized by many.
Personally, I wanted Colangelo to sign a big-name coach after that year (i.e Flip Saunders, or Avery Johnson), but instead Triano remained head coach.
Overall this coached scored a:
C = on Paper
C = on the Court
Hedo Turkoglu
7 of 10
Hedo Turkoglu was good. He did 17ppg - 5rg - 5apg, made it to the Finals in 2008-09, a year after doing 20ppg - 5rpg - 6apg. This man looked perfect for Toronto; we needed a SF and Bargnani had a good season of 15ppg at the center spot. People were talking about Bargnani bulking up during the summer, and we just drafted SG Demar Derozen. Toronto has a multicultural fanbase, and Hedo would play with other international players.
The T.J Ford trade chip, turned into J.O, which turned into Marion, who walked away; and signing Turkoglu was huge for Toronto because they could've ended up without a SF that summer.
Other teams were willing to bite on Turkoglu including Portland and Orlando, but Hedo chose Toronto.
This was one of the best moves done by Colangelo. on paper, and Raptor fans were buzzing once again. Who knew the Hedo project would crash and burn with the guy finishing the season doing only 11.3ppg?
Overall this moves scores a:
A+ = on Paper
C = on the Court
Not Trading Bosh
8 of 10
This really wasn't a move, rather it was the decision not to make a move. With Toronto struggling without Bosh, and Cleveland going from first in the East to last, many fans think back and ask "why didn't we just trade them." After all, Denver walked away from dealing its star pretty healthy; some wished we would've traded Bosh.
Trading Bosh last year wasn't on the radar for Colangelo or most fans. The reason was because the Raptors held the fifth seed in the East by the All-Star break and were looking to make a push for fourth. Chris Bosh, despite the rumors, didn't give out any hints on whether he was thinking about walking or not.
The second part to the decision not to trade Bosh was that: Who was willing to trade? Most rumors involving Bosh around the trade deadline were rumors which would greatly benefit contenders but give Toronto little back (i.e: Bosh to Cleveland, or Bosh to L.A for Bynum, etc). Other rumors had Bosh being traded for other free-agents-to-be Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer which technically wouldn't make a big difference (Bosh had better statistical seasons then both last year).
Overall, trading Bosh would've killed Colangelo if it was for prospects and picks, because Raptors looked like a good team at the deadline. This decision scores a:
B = on Paper
D = on the Court
Passing on Micheal Beasley
9 of 10
This summer with Chris Bosh declaring he'd join D-Wade in Miami, the Raptors were given a choice. Miami had to strip its roster down to nothing in order to make room for the star trio. In the process, a very solid young talent in Micheal Beasley was available for the taking. Beasley who was drafted second overall in 2008 had just scored 15ppg the previous season and played behind Dwyane Wade and Jermaine Oneal to help Miami grab the fifth seed in the playoffs.
The Raptors had just signed Linas Kleiza a beast during the FIBA games in Turkey. Bryan Colangelo decided with Beasley's bad reputation (no idea why he has a bad rep, great guy) and Kleiza being our SF for the season to come, Beasley's contract wasn't worth picking up.
This was one of the worst moves ever made by Colangelo, as Beasley wound up having an explosive season finishing with 19.2ppg and 5.6rpg, and Kleiza struggled all season with injuries. Beasley's contract was only $5 million per year for two years, and IF it had been a bad move, the second year would have been a team option anyway. Last summer, we signed Amir Johnson for more than Beasley.
Currently, one of the biggest holes in the Raptors roster is the SF position, and if we had taken Beasley, it'd be one less problem to deal with. The only argument someone could make for not taking Beasley in the Chris Bosh trade would be that Toronto wouldn't be in position to draft a top 3 pick (like we are today).
As lame as that argument might be, I'm sure we'd still be in good draft standing even if he had taken Beasley seeing as how we sat two to three starters to lose more games the last month. If we really wanted to be in this position again, we could have just sat Beasley along with Bargnani and Calderon in March/April.
Overall, this was probably the worst move by Colangelo in his career as Raptor G.M. Obviously Beasley is not a superstar, but considering how easily anyone with a right mind would've taken him, it was pretty disappointing when Bryan Colangelo didn't. Overall this scores a:
D = on paper
D = on the court
Conclusion
10 of 10
Overall, considering the fact that we're in the midst of harvesting some talent after a year of a year of waiting, I wouldn't be quick to call for a new G.M.
Bryan Colangelo having the roots and connections that he does, wouldn't be replaced by anyone better just from a professional standpoint. Sure, he's swung and missed more times then not, but honestly, if we look back at most of those moves, they were pretty damn good moves on paper.
Not many teams have really shaken up their rosters as much as the raptors have; you have to give some credit to Colangelo for actually trying. Everything is a gamble in the NBA; a young talent with lots of potential can be traded and turn out to be a bust out of nowhere (Al Thorton did 17ppg his sophomore year and hasn't improved beyond 11ppg ever since), a star with plenty of years ahead of him can break down out of nowhere (Elton Brand was expected to come back strong like others have from his injury, and after signing a huge contract, he hasn't lived up to expectations).
Brian Colangelo has done his part to put the Raptors in a good position year after year but has lost the gamble more times then not.
Overall, Colangelo deserves to stay, and I'm confident, a year from now, we'll be happy this guy is in charge. All together, Bryan Colangelo scores an overall average of:
B+ = Moves he's made on paper up until now
C- = How the actual moves have turned out on the court for the team.
Thanks for reading. Sorry if I left out a move/transaction of Colangelo's which you feel was important (like drafting, Demar/Ed). I didn't feel it was a move you could attribute directly to him (we probably would've picked those guys if anyone else was behind the choice).
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