Brandon wrote:
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Complaining sounds whiney. Whining is not my intent. I didn't say everyone expected too much of the #1 pick in 2006. What I said was people expect the #1 pick to be a franchise player or the best player in the draft and that is not reasonable or realistic.
So as to the first issue, I think the Raps are a disastrous team full of mediocre/bad interchangeable players. Bargnani is a big contract who doesn't make a difference on the court. I suppose you think the points he scores, and granted he's a relatively efficient complementary scorer -- basically an above average stretch forward, are crucial to maintain the Raps [winning] ways. I'd prefer a defensive player at his position because most power forwards cannot defend the post against guys like Dwight Howard/Andrew Bynum et al. The thing people often ignore when they evaluate Bargnani is that the things he does well are not usually required of a center. No one complains that Bynum or Howard cannot shoot from the arc. Ball-handling players do that very well. But notice that many knowledgeable fans and critics do complain that Weems and DeRozan (interchangeable swingmen) cannot shoot from long range, because their position demands that skill. In the same way, we can imagine a point guard who can block shots and rebound but cannot dribble the ball, pass it, or shoot it. Such a payer would hurt his team more than he'd help it. Which is how I'd describe Bargnani. I don't think he's more than a seventh man on a winning team.
It's true that people shouldn't hold general managers to high standards when it comes to the #1 pick in any draft, but everyone knew the 2006 draft wasn't full of great players. Colangelo could have sold or traded the pick. He could have drafted Aldridge or Rondo (I excuse Roy because of the knees, which everyone knew about). Colangelo could have refused to sign Bargnani to such a large extension (or any extension at all). By his own actions, Colangelo has tied his fate to Bargnani's success. Bargnani and the other large contracts are a stumbling block to adding real talent to the roster.
If you call 8/9/10/11/12 million dollar contract from 2010/11 through 2014/15 for a player of Bargnani's abilities and 25 years of age (i.e. hitting his prime in the next year or two) a big or large contact, I suggest you look around the payrolls of the NBA. I would also suggest instead of bashing Bargnani for what he can't do, look at what he can. Imagine a PG who can stop his own man and a SF similar to Josh Smith (i.e. who can rebound and defend). Building a team is a process - a marathon, not a sprint (unless you are the C's 3 years ago).
As has been written numerous times, Bargnani is a piece. It is unfortunate that this year he is 'the man' but the Raps just started a full rebuild. If DD keeps going as is, next year he will most likely be 'the man' and Bargnani becomes the second option to him (barring an amazing drafted rookie or trade, I hope this plays out). He is not a franchise player and he is not paid like one. The Raptors need a couple of legit of NBA studs - some of who may develop through DD or ED. They have a team of 2nd/3rd options, complimentary players, and role players on reasonable contracts. The only bad contract on the team, in my opinion, is Calderon.
BC has to go? Please. He is one of the best GM's in the business according to Mark Cuban. He has two EOY awards that are voted on by his peers - he is well respected. Two common themes ring in my ears when I read posts such this:
1) What have you done for me lately?
2) You don't know what you have until it is gone.
The Raps are 8 months in to a rebuild with 2 players capable of scoring 20ppg, 2 PF's capable of a double double, a top draft pick coming, cap space, and a TPE. The team is currently the 4th youngest in the league - maybe lower if you take out Evans. People make this team out to be the Cavaliers. Say what you want about BC but whether he stays or not, this team has a bright future because of the moves he has made since the summer. Winning teams are seldom made without some losing seasons - see Presti's beginning in SEA/OKC, see Pritchard's beginning in POR. BC took a lottery team to an Atlantic Champsionship and a 20 game swing in an off-season. Unfortunately it led to a slightly better than average team the first 2 seasons and a mediocre at best after that. He is starting a full re-build from the ground up, properly this time with young players, a high draft pick, cap space, and a TPE to top it off.
I am excited and extremely optimistic of the future.
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