A couple of questions that really can't be answered

I think I need some help here.

All last week, and actually for a few weeks, I’ve been told that this guy or that guy (specifically Bryan Colangelo and Dwane Casey) need to be “feeling the heat.”

What does it mean?

Especially about the GM.

Do you think he’s not trying to make moves to make his team better? Like he’s not making calls and seeing what’s out there?

Does it mean every single story ever written on these guys has to point out the last five years? That’s kind of boring and repetitive and, frankly, not something I feel like doing.

Sure, we write every day than things aren’t good, their record is in every game story and I think the tone of the most pieces would echo the fact they begin this trip 4-13.

But “heat” is such a strange and vague term it’s almost wise to ignore it.

Should we somehow be urging him to do something every single day? Like that’s going to force him to make a move? Should we call for someone’s firing once or twice a week without any suggestion of what a replacement might be?

No, not a chance. Sorry. We continue to point out how things are, what the problems are, how they might be fixed.

That’s about all the “feeling the heat” you’re going to get here, or really should anywhere.

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I absolutely forgot to mention this on Saturday and then yesterday was the mail so I’m doing it now.

Good work on not firing off confetti after the win over the Suns. Glad someone came to his or her senses.

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Yes, you can certainly see the rockies all around you out here and, yes, they are high.

Hmm.

Rocky Mountain High.

Don’t mind if I do.

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So I run into Yogesh and Sophie and Lina and Steve the other night after the Phoenix game and they seemed to be quite good moods. Guess that’s what wins do for fans, right? I’ve run into people after losses who are morose, was nice to see people actually enjoying themselves.

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It’s always amazed me to see how many football fans – or baseball fans or pucks fans or even basketball fans – wear the jersey of the home team to games.

Is it to feel part of the club? To get a closer connection to the men actually playing the game? It is just a desire to fit it?

Guess it’s part of all of them although I don’t think I’ve ever owned a jersey of a specific player and I don’t imagine I ever will so not sure my opinion counts all that much.

But I do know Super Son has had a couple and he’s vowed never to get any more because I believe the three he owned were Vince Carter, Chris Bosh and Roy Halladay and they collect dust.

And I guess the guy I saw wandering around downtown Denver with the Tebow jersey on feels kind of foolish or something.

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Oh, right, the Raptors.

Guess the most interesting thing was that they came out here a day early to get a practice in at altitude but I don’t imagine that’s going to be nearly enough.

Now, I have no first-hand knowledge of how the thin air a mile above sea level effects an athlete; I’m able to walk around and not feel it but I don’t run or anything like that. I have, however, had players tell me in the past that they get far more easily winded out here, a burning sensation in the lungs and the muscles come quickly.

So one workout, short that it was, might help a wee tiny bit, Dwane was telling us:

“I’ve been told it takes like four weeks to really get acclimated with your body but it (a practice out here) does help, with that burning sensation, a game isn’t the first time it hits. Get one practice in and get used to it; at least it won’t be the first time we’ve felt it.”

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I don’t for a second think they should have played that football game in Kansas City on Sunday after the Chiefs guy killed his girlfriend and then himself on Saturday.

I get the whole “sports is an escape” part of the argument for going ahead with the game but I also think there has to be some kind of passage of time to let things get back to some semblance of normal before we ask men to play games and fans to watch them.

But the harsh reality of it is that sports is business and business goes on but I ask those who render that argument as the reason for going ahead this question:

If a normal run of the mill guy, say a factory worker or a reporter or teacher, had killed someone and then themselves in front of the bosses, do you think that company would ask its workers – the bosses – to show up for the job the very next day?

No, I don’t think so, either.

To play was, to me, the wrong decision.

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Yeah, I am a bit late with this today; not sure how the rest of the week will unfold, either. First time we’ve been way west in a very long time and I can’t remember how we’ve done things in the past.

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It was about 20 C here the past couple of days and it’s supposed to be the same today so of course some of the good folks of Denver took some time out to go for a quick skate.

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Yes, we’ll do the usual IGBT tonight, game’s at 9 p.m. East, have a nap if you must but show up if you can.

Thanks.

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Comments

[jon]

Bet the 8-9 start isn't looking too back to Colangelo now. Sam Mitchell must be smiling somewhere.

[Colin K]

I too think its ridiculous, all this fan sensationalism. Its not productive and detracts from the joy I get from watching and discussing this team. It seems every article or blog I read has comments from "fans" who are so worked up over the record from a team that is running on backs of very young and inexperienced players. It is a bit bewildering to be honest.

If these people invested this much passion into something more productive, like say politics or charity, wouldn't the world be a much better place? The fact that they get so worked up about a sports team is selfish and speak more to an entitlement than to a love of sport.

[Bob]

Its not about him not trying, we know he's been trying to improve team its just that the moves he has made over the last 5 yrs have been complete failures

[truth be told]

I agree with your assessment of coaches or GM's needing to 'feel the heat'.

What does that really mean and what does it require because I'm not sure myself?

That being said I would happily accept MLSE analyzing Bryan Colangelo's track record during his tenure here as opposed to making him "feel the heat".

Look in depth at the state of the team, it's players and the vision (accelerated rebuild, defensive team that doesn't play defence nor have the appropriate personnel for it) and separate the job he has done as team president (keeping disillusioned fans coming to games) from what he has put together as a GM (a consistent lottery team) and then make a wise decision on whether you should continue to pay him $4 million dollars per annum for for his work.

I think if this is done objectively MLSE will have to acknowledge that the job he has done as a GM leaves much to be desired and chances are in another basketball climate with the results he has produced, Colangelo would have been canned a long time ago.

Don't let him give the GM title to Stefanaski and he remain as team president either. It's time to stop talking about nonsense like "feeling the heat" and start making the necessary changes for a fresh start with a GM that actually knows how to build a team the right way.

[David in Oakville]

Good Morning Doug,

This is too obvious, Denver Tebow jersey guy is clearly waiting for.... the second coming!

Well said with respect to "feeling the heat". One of your colleagues seems to get too much latitude to generate words without generating meaningful sentences, paragraphs and columns. I guess he was feeling the heat to generate something that looked like criticism of MLSE.

[Rob]

Hi,
been to denver many times for business. Definitely one of my favourite cities anywhere.

On that note got a nuggets/raptors related question. Given that Bosh and Melo were drafted the same year, and both franchises built their teams around them as cornerstones, and both ended up wanting out of town. However, if i look at what the nuggets got out of that situation (gallinari, felton, chandler, Mozgov, Knicks 1st rd pick), compared to the raptors (a trade exemption that turned into......NOTHING). The Nuggets have used that trade to help them build a new promising foundation, while the raps basically just lost another all-star player for NOTHING, just like Carter, and TMAC before. I need to ask:

Why the huge disparity between the nuggets and raptors stars departures? Did melo handle the situation much more respectful towards his old club? Were they under different contract situations?

[Arlene]

Shouldn't it be the players who "feel the heat"? When highly-paid athletes don't give the effort consistently, it should be they who are held accountable, not the coach or GM.
It is the coach's job to get the best out of his players, but for some reason a player such as Amir J., plays a great game one night and disappears the next, and the same can be said for many players on the Raptors team. Talent is wonderful but effort wins games. I get tired of Leo and Matt and their commentary with Leo constantly stating the Raps have the talent....I'm not sure I agree, but do think Brian has tried to improve the team each year with the financial resources and choices he has made.

[Chaz T]

"Does it mean every single story ever written on these guys has to point out the last five years? That’s kind of boring and repetitive and, frankly, not something I feel like doing."

Doug's right - why moan about how terrible this team HAS been, when we can reflect upon how terrible this team CURRENTLY is. If anything, we should ignore the past 4-5 years because the team was actually better during that period then they are right now. No need to shine a light on this team's recent success - it only makes the current state of affairs even more troubling.

As always, it's just a game (a billion dollar one) - so we should give the millionaires whose salaries are paid by us - the fans - a break. They are trying, after all. It's not like it's their fault the team is terrible.

[Chaz T]

"But the harsh reality of it is that sports is business ..."

Wait, wait, wait ... I thought it was just a game and we should all just calm down?

Blogger's note: You should, actually; I think most rational people would understand the difference and what I mean

[BC]

Doug, here's a better question: at what point should Colangelo feel the heat? We are in the seventh year of this tenure with no appreciable improvement in the team's performance. In Rasheed Wallace's words: "ball don't lie". I'm sure he's trying to make the team better -- there's no question of that, as all GMs try to make their teams better. The problem is that Colangelo does not appear to be very good at it. He seems like a decent person, but at what point does management and ownership realize that the team is not progressing at the pace that was intended? It's not like there aren't other teams that have undergone sea changes in performance over those seven years. It's clearly not working, yet somehow there appears to be this magic aura around Colangelo that makes him bulletproof in people's eyes. What would it take to get him replace?

[Peter]

In regards to "feeling the heat" and... ONLY because you asked.

For me, hearing Colangelo state that making the playoffs was the goal this year, he kind of forced it on himself to "feel the heat" at this point in the season. Purely based on league history, there have not been many teams to start this poorly, and go on to make the playoffs. So if feeling the heat means that he is facing pressure, then yes, he should be feeling the heat. Their record has shown that just one month into the season, they may have already been eliminated from playoff contention. A team with the goal of making the playoffs should probably be able to stay at least close to .500 throughout the season. This team will have to play well over .500 in order to be in the running for the playoffs, and they haven't proven that they are capable of doing that.

Righting the ship and playing .500 ball from here on out would be a failure.

Second, I think that Colangelo has shown a great willingness to "plug holes" on the roster, but he has never really addressed the question, that perhaps this team, as it's constructed, cannot win.

I'm a fan of Bargnani, and I really like what DeRozen has brought this year, but as a friend of mine has pointed out, the Raptors have a Power Forward who can't rebound, and a Shooting Guard who can't shoot (the three). That makes it difficult for other players on the team who are used to getting rebounding from the 4 position, and outside shooting from the 3 position.

I have a lot of faith in Colangelo's abilities. I, like you, think that he has made a number of good trades on paper, that may or may not have turned out well on the court.

I also have a lot of faith in Dwayne Casey and his philosophy. I think that his defensive schemes have merit, and I agree that defense can keep you close in many games, even when the offense isn't always clicking.

So when we talk about feeling the heat, I'd like to see Colangelo sit down, in his contract year (this year) and say, "Hey, wait a minute this whole thing isn't working, and yes I can plug holes, but what would happen if I swapped major pieces for other solid pieces?"

It's not that I don't like Bargnani, it's that I'd like to see the rest of these players play with a front court that could really rebound. If we have to move fan favourites like Bargnani, DeRozen, or Calderon, then let's do that.

If we don't make those changes this year, then it's highly likely that someone else will be in the GM seat next year, and will be considering making those changes. And for me, that's a shame because I like Colangelo, and really believe in his abilities.

So if he's not "feeling the heat" than I guess we'll wait for next year to see a competitive team. Whether it's addition by subtraction, or whatever has to be done, based on historical facts, this team has probably already been eliminated from the playoffs, so let's do something to put together a quality group of players and use the rest of the season as training camp for a successful season next year, because this roster, and these stars, haven't proved they can do it.

[truth be told]

How can you expect the fans to calm down when they are looking at this team and are witness to all of the issues?

They have 4 pf's (Andrea, Davis, Amir, Acy) and 4 sg's (Derozan, Ross, Fields (the position he played in NY until he got here), and Anderson).

Is this how a winning roster is constructed?

Does the asset "stacking principles" BC employs work when the team is as poorly constructed as it is?

It's hard to calm down and not want change when we have been patient for the last few years while the GM supposedly rebuilt, and now felt this was the year to accelerate this rebuild for some unknown purpose (another contract extension most likely).

It's still not halfway thru the year yet so much can change but from what we have seen thus far, fans have a legitimate reason to question where this ship is headed.

[Peter]

In regards to the thinner air. The Colorado Rockies and their opponents always talk about how much easier it is to hit home runs in the thinner air. Have you ever heard if players shooting the basketball feel any difference in their longer range shots?

Blogger's note: I haven't no; think the difference would be indoors vs. outdoors; golfers hit the ball further, as do field goal kickers

[jc]

re Rob
" However, if i look at what the nuggets got out of that situation (gallinari, felton, chandler, Mozgov, Knicks 1st rd pick), compared to the raptors (a trade exemption that turned into......NOTHING)."

The difference was that Melo asked for a trade because he would be leaving and in the process of being painted a villain for that, made his team better. Bosh played coy (as much as I know from a fan perspective), putting the team in a no win situation of either trading their star who never asked to be traded or losing him for nothing. Maybe Bryan should have pressed him more with a deadline but they were two different situations. The more apt comparison is what Cleveland got for Lebron.

[kent]

the team is out of playoff contention before Christmas and you are asking why there is heat on the GM? That 29.99 BCo spent to buy the jersey he bribed you with was probably one of his best acquisitions.

Blogger's note: Thanks, but you entirely miss the point. Thanks for reading, though.

[Rob.V]

Yes, you play Football (or any Sport) the very next day. You must!, the show must go on.
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Actually, this might be the one (and very few) times I think the game actually becomes "more" than just money.
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If you postponed the game the league would simply reschedule, nothing changes... only delayed. To stop and pause, or allow players and fans a chance to stay home doesn't really offer much to the situation.
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Why draw any more attention to it. Why dwell, even for 24 hours.
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Game on. Play on. Move on!, not much more anyone can do anyway.
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The only way to get back to some semblance of normalcy for everyone involved is to act as you normally would... as quickly as possible.
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Also, I'm sure the up and close witnesses (and players) of that terrible act could probably use any distraction possible to try and distance themselves (mentally) from the incident so if the game is helpful and some sort of temporary relief, then this only serves as another reason why I think the game should have been played on the weekend in KC.
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Having said this, is there any way we could find some excuse to cancel some Raptor home games this season?. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there will be any (mental) relief on the horizon for fans in T.O either.
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See, there is always a silver lining. I don't feel bad for anyone in KC at all. Look, they've only got 4 weeks until their season is over. Things are looking up there!
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Us?, well, we've got another 5 months of mental torture to endure. Another 5 months of what I'm sure will feel like water-boarding to some!

[Chaz T]

I don't understand your point, Doug. You seem to imply that the fans who are unhappy about the state of affairs with this team are wrong and should just calm down - there are more important things to worry about. This is true, and I worry about those things in the appropriate places, at an appropriate time. I read your blog because I care about the Raptors, thus this is why I - and many others - would come here to voice our displeasure with the team. Would you prefer we go elsewhere? Your constant snark and belittling of your own readers suggests this to be the case.

Colangelo has been trumping this team as playoff worthy for years ... we know this is not the case. I look at current team needs, and can't help but pine for a true center like Hibbert ... you know, the guy Colangelo traded away so we could watch the vessel formally known as a basketball player come here, get injured, and make no impact (aside from chewing up cap space).

What is the direction of this team? Colangelo says playoffs - reality says lottery. The team owes it to their fans to be honest with us - I can't recall seeing any Colangelo interviews since this season has begun.

Doug - you seem to spend more time criticizing your readers than you do the team you're supposed to provide coverage for. There are oodles of valid criticisms to be pointed toward this team (mostly to Bargnani and Colangelo - I give Casey a break, as it's clear he's making the most of what he has), yet you seem to find none.

[Mike kovacs]

Doug what is your sense of the angst-meter in LotusLand?

Blogger's note: Hight. Expect a Mt. Kobe eruption soon

[DC]

Somewhat disagree with Doug Smith on 'heat feeling'. Colangelo and his team were the ones who raised the expectations as the season opened, not fans. It was raptors related media (not fan base) that originally emphasized talking points like "taking the next step", having "a deeper, more talented roster", "reaching the playoffs" and "competing in the east". No one should complain (coaches, execs, media or fans) when anyone watching would be surprised to see one of the worst franchise starts ever, and want to know what is going wrong. Switching talking points to "look at the rookies develop" and "we knew it was a long rebuilding process" doesn't explain why they are where they are versus where fans were told to expect them to be.

When you raise expectations and don't deliver, you take the blame for the disappointment, not too complicated. 36 wins- pound the rock.

Blogger's note: The expectations were to compete for the final East playoff spots; if in five months that isn't realized, we'll worry about change then.

[Derek]

Hi Doug,
In regards to the question of whether or not to play the football game in KC - from the reports I read, the league deferred to the Chiefs organization, and left it to them to decide if their players and coaches felt willing and capable to play the game. Apparently the coaches met with the team captains (6 of them) on Saturday afternoon, and they unanimously agreed that they wanted to play.
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Several of the players who participated in the decision process commented that in the past when dealing with tragic events (loss of a parent, sibling, etc.) that they actually found comfort in playing, and leaning on their fellow players to help deal with the loss.
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I actually give the league credit for letting the players/team make the call, and given that it was their choice, don't think you can fault the players for how they chose to deal with their grief.
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I also respected the fact that the team didn't turn it into a memorial for Belcher; recognizing that although they had lost a fellow player and "brother" (a term many of them used), that given that he'd just murdered an innocent woman, it wasn't appropriate to make yesterday about him. They repeatedly mentioned remembering the widow and her orphaned daughter, and apparently the players have decided to start a fund for the daughter as well.
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All in all, I was incredibly impressed with how the team handled this tragic situation - in particular the coach (who witnessed Belcher's suicide) and the quarterback, who made some very poignant comments in his post-game remarks, about as a society, needing to try and focus on paying more attention to the relationships we have with the people around us, than we do on social media.

[AT]

@ Colin K did you get lost on the internet? You are in the comment section of a blog of a sports writer that covers an NBA team. Who do you think is the audience here? If fans cannot express their opinions "here" where else should they go? What do you think is an appropriate comment or feedback for a team that said their goal was to make the playoffs? Fan feedback (and sensationalism is a HUGE contributor to the sport of business. To comment that people should spend more time on more productive things is not only hypocritical but condescending as well. Politics?????? gimme a break.

[Cluck Kent]

There is no doubt in my mond that Bryan knows where he can pick up a couple of studs that would change the fortunes of this team virtually overnight BUT he will not do it until he feels the heat.

So when do we play Miami?

I'm thinking Lebron and Wade for Bargs and a season's pass to Wonderland (full family pass). It gets hot in the summer down south and those good ole boys could use some chillin time.

Listen, I'd be the first guy in line to fire BC if I was guaranteed a better GM but based on our past experience, it's more likely we end up with Babcock II, don't go near the court. BC has had some bad luck but he has also made some mistakes. But like Doug, I don't get how you make a guy 'feel the heat'. Do you say something like, 'If you don't win 8 games next month that's it for you?' Or, 'trade Bargnani or else?' I don't know.

There is no doubt that sports has become a business and the only people who don't fully understand what that means are the fans. Now if we could build a chart and show the owners a linear function between wins and profit, we'd probably make some ground but until that happens, it's a business and it's here to make money first and foremost. Not that the Big Boys don't want to win, it's just that their desire to make money is greater. If they could do both, I'm sure they would. But the fact is, trying too hard to win puts some of that near guaranteed money at risk and the shareholders won't stand for risk. It bugs the crap out of me since most of my self worth is derived from the success of my sports teams, but what can I do. I don't have enough money to buy the team

[Johnnyc]

let's change direction for a moment....Did you have an opportunity explore Denver and if so your thoughts always appreciated.....Denver has been pencilled in for a holiday....would love feedback from anyone.... cheers

Blogger's note: Fine city; the 16th Avenue mall (a pedestrian walk in heart of downtown) is cool, the Cherry Creek area is more upscale but also very nice.

[james]

It's worth remembering what Casey said (repeatedly) coming out of training camp, where they had won five of six games. It was some variation of "we are nowhere near where we need to be". What do I want out of this team? Improvement, purely and simply. How will that improvement be measured? I have no idea, but I will know it when I see it. Will I consider this season a success if they don't make the playoffs? Quite possibly.
Tell superson to hang onto the Halladay jersey. That guy always gave you your money's worth.

[Mos High]

Like what "truth be told" said. I agree.

But for today I will be on the other side, I'll be like the people who believe in Colangelo and current roster is fine and to be patient. We will wait hmm another 50 games then I'll be negative, I will wait for another lost season to be negative, I ll wait to hear 1000 more excuses for this team.

I dont buy the players for a second that they arent loosing confidence.

Cheers to loosing team, its ok they will be better as this team has the pieces..

Back to myself, Im tired of people blaming Bosh for leaving or not saying he wants to be traded. If you believe Colangelo for a second, your crazy. You dont think he knew Bosh wanted to leave?? Come on, he has been around long enough... Just like Cleveland they knew, they just played like they didnt!!

Blogger's note: And a mind-reader, too? Why not put the gift to use other than here?