Missing the Point

Its amazing sometimes how people want to defend something that isn't under attack.

I found this out last summer when I suggested that MLSE, as part of its proud tradition, had created a loser of a soccer team that people nonetheless want to support with all their hearts and souls and money.

Boy, did the cards and letters come in on that one.

Yesterday, I apparently had the temerity to question whether Bryan Colangelo really was the model executive the Maple Leafs should be looking for in their new hockey boss.

This, somehow, was interpreted as an all-out attack on Colangelo, his family and his family dog by some.

Now, it's great, I suppose, that Colangelo has so many uncritical admirers, particularly when his team appears to be falling apart.

But I really wasn't attacking him at all, and I certainly wasn't suggesting that he should be fired, or that he'd done a terrible job with the Raptors or that Rob Babcock should be brought back immediately. For the most part, Colangelo has been the best GM the Raps have ever had.

I was simply pointing out three facts; he's never won an NBA championship, the Raptors lost a first-round matchup last spring they probably could have won and the team appears worse this season.

Those three facts are indisputable.

For the Leafs, then, it was simply a suggestion that the Leafs might like to hire someone with a track record of championships and/or outstanding recent success. I suggested Gregg Popovich - yes, knowing full-well he's the coach, not the GM, of the Spurs - as an NBA figure with far more success on his resume than Colangelo.

That doesn't make Colangelo a stiff, and sure, he might end up a modern-day Red Auerbach, with multiple championships to his credit.

But he hasn't done it yet. Period. So all of you who simply want to parrot each other with the "stick to hockey" insults, try reading the blog and arguing the point.

I'd hate to throw you in with the soccer nuts.

Comments

[chrome67]

I'm shocked? Toronto has a basketball team? Who cares?!!

[Spencer]

This is Toronto: Home to a lot of meat-heads with a lot of money. Explains both the fans and the teams don't you think?

[Steve]

Sad Damien, just Sad. All we ask is that you include all the facts in your "Spin". You like to form an opinion based on one or two pieces of information and Spin it your way. I don't know if you really think you can drive decisions with MLSE, you obviously have a hate on for them. Try developing your opinions on all the facts, give the big picture, not just one corner of it in order to try and sell your blog.

[Andrew D]

You're better than this, Damien. I'm sure you wrote your piece yesterday knowing it would ruffle a feather or two...all the better to get people to read it. But when people challenge you on your column (and the comments yesterday were hardly all of the "DAMEAN SUX!" persuasion) you cry "Whoa! Hey! You're all a bunch of nuts!" Even though it's a dead cliche, the having cake and eating it thing applies.

As it stands, I disagree with your original assessment, and the "facts" you refer to above. Personally, I didn't expect the Raps to beat Jersey last year in the playoffs (Jersey had far more playoff experience than the newbie Raptors, including runs to the Final). And as to your comment that the Raptors appears worse, before Bosh was injured the Raptors were eight games over .500 (they finished last season twelve games over .500) and crusing to home court advantage in the playoffs. The team was playing very good basketball. But losing your top player in basketball is perhaps even more damaging than losing your top goalie in hockey. Bosh could probably play, but the Raps are playing it safe because they know they're in the playoffs. This is simply good management.

I agree with the above poster...if in 4 years, the Raps are still where they are now then negative comments about where the team is headed will be justified (see Riccardi, JP). But saying that a bad ten game streak that includes a brutal west coast swing without their best player indicates things are "falling apart" is the basketball equivalent of saying the play of the Leafs of late is indicative that they're Stanley Cup material. It's too small a sample to make sense.

[robcap]

To Guys like Paul up above - amazing you can write a name like imbecile and still not be able to read! Since when do 9 year old boys get to post comments? Guys like Mario: please READ the column - where did Damien say Colangelo is no good? Is it sacreligious to question anyone's performance? Apparently so...

I think Damien you did your job and asked a pertinent question. Too often here in Toronto the new guy is treated like a God then is trashed by the same fans. I am sure Colangelo does not mind a difficult question or two.

DO I think the Raptors will become a contender before the Leafs? Of course and Colangelo is the right guy who will make some mistakes along the way. I agree that the Leaf's should consider ALL options and not necessarily only look for the equivalent of Colangelo out there as there may not be a hockey equivalent available anyway. The scrutiny of the hockey team will be FAR different than that of the Raptors.

[Jim]

I think the MLSE board should appoint Brian Colangelo to be the new Leafs GM or, failing that, Gregg Popovich. It would be difficult to imagine them producing worse results than their predecessor.

[Neil H]

This is the best! About 90% of all these comments are "missing the point" of Missing the Point - this lastest posting from Damien.