With Leiweke on board, what happens to Colangelo now?

[mcHAPPY]

Colangelo said all kinds of wonderfully inspiring soundbites when he landed with the Raptors; it amounted to squat.

I'm entering this phase highly skeptical. I've watched this team since day one, this isn't my first time witnessing the preludes to a "hanging" and a new appointment.

I know, really.

Yet despite knowing history and having fallen once before "hook, line, sinker", I can't contain my enthusiasm - especially when he is putting it out there for all to hear the Raptors are priority #1.


I think BC goes, Casey too.

Phil is brought in to run the show and Shaw is hired.


Triangle, here we come.

[Apollo]

And so it begins again...

Colangelo said all kinds of wonderfully inspiring soundbites when he landed with the Raptors; it amounted to squat.

I'm entering this phase highly skeptical. I've watched this team since day one, this isn't my first time witnessing the preludes to a "hanging" and a new appointment.

I don't think that is a stretch at all:

Ah, there you have it.

[mcHAPPY]

"With Leiweke on board, what happens to Colangelo now? "

It depends on what the perceived interest is in the Raptors. They don't need to hit the market to get a sense for it. Let's not rule out the possibility of Leiweke having a casual dinner or round of golf with Phil or someone close to Phil if you get my drift...



Sure, if we've learned nothing from the whole Colangelo era.

I don't think that is a stretch at all:

On Phil Jackson rumours:
"Phil and I talked this week, but only because he had heard the rumours about Toronto and just called me to say what a great city it is. It’s too early to speculate, I’m not going to deny that Phil and I are friends and that we had an amazing run here, but have been busier trying to get the agreement done. Will turn attention to the well-wishers and those offering to offer suggestions tomorrow. I’m going to reach out to all of the people I know in the NBA and ask them their opinion. I don’t think anyone has all the answers, so one of the thing I have to do is get up to speed on the Raptors and the decision the board has to make and give them the best decision I can.

We didn’t have any of those conversations, nor was it appropriate until we had finalized a deal. He was calling to say best of luck. His fiancée, Jeannie, is still a very good friend of mine and I talk to him often. This was more about our relationship than anything."

http://sulia.com/channel/toronto-rap...source=twitter

[mcHAPPY]

A big thank you to Ryan Wolstat for transcribing Leiweke's conference call:

And finally, Leiweke on where the Raptors go from here, including Bryan Colangelo and his option:

"We need to build a culture that Jerry Buss and Jerry West built with theLakers. I don’t know if that requires change or not, we’re going to find out real quick.
They want to win. They want that to be my highest priority. Got up every day trying to push everyone to winning championshps and that’s what we’re going to do now in Toronto. We won’t be crazy, and we won’t do stupid things, but there are teams in all the leagues that do stupid things and it comes back to haunt them. But, the Raptors have to aspire to be the Heat and the Lakers. A team and a city that people want to be a part of and that’s what we’re going to build. Same with the Maple Leafs.

I know Bryan, I talked to Bryan today. I’m clearly not in a position to be the best one to make this decision, since I’m joining late and I’m not even going to be full-time when they make this decision. But, that said, the board is leaning on me to give a recommendation. I have been talking to a lot of people in the NBA to get their feeling and their opinions of what the Raptors are doing right and what the Raptors are doing wrong. Going to sit down next week and have a long chat. Never easy to step in and be a part of inheriting something.

I don’t think it’s any question that the first action is going to be the Raptors. I wish I had more time, I wish I was there to make this decision, at the same time, we’ll do our homework and I’ll try to get up to speed as quickly as I can. I don’t think anyone’s happy with the Raptors being out of the playoffs as long as they have. We’re going to be very focused on that first and foremost and how to fix it. I come from the NBA, I’ve learned under the curve of Jerry Buss and Jerry West. You don’t find two better teachers than those two guys on how to build an organization that not only wins one championship, but becomes the dominant organization."

http://sulia.com/channel/toronto-rap...source=twitter

Goose bumps on that last line.

I am probably going to be let down but it is nice to have optimism return. Haven't felt it since last year and there are many around here who have not felt it in years.... and probably still don't - lol.

[Apollo]

"With Leiweke on board, what happens to Colangelo now? "

It depends on what the perceived interest is in the Raptors. They don't need to hit the market to get a sense for it. Let's not rule out the possibility of Leiweke having a casual dinner or round of golf with Phil or someone close to Phil if you get my drift...

Crazy thought:

With the hoopla, joy, and optimism a hiring of Leiweke's calibre, does this allow the Raptors/MLSE to fire Colangelo giving the time and opportunity to go in another direction (i.e. taking a step back to move multiple steps forward and chase championships) without total anarchy from Raptor fans?

Sure, if we've learned nothing from the whole Colangelo era.

[rocwell]

Will present a plan... 7 years of clear picture isn't enough yet. sadly.

[mcHAPPY]

If we can't get Phil, he's definitely back.

If he is serious about competing for championships, good bye BC.


Crazy thought:

With the hoopla, joy, and optimism a hiring of Leiweke's calibre, does this allow the Raptors/MLSE to fire Colangelo giving the time and opportunity to go in another direction (i.e. taking a step back to move multiple steps forward and chase championships) without total anarchy from Raptor fans?

Lets face it, unless JV becomes a dominant, legendary, all-star I cannot see Toronto competing for championships in the next 4 years. Maybe they make 2nd/Conference Final run (I doubt it) but that would be it, not championships.


By the way, I changed my signature so we never forget and raise our expectations above just making the playoffs.

[Sig]

we egg his house!

[isaacthompson]

If we can't get Phil, he's definitely back.

[mcHAPPY]

Addressing the status of Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo would appear to be one of the first tasks for Leiweke on the job. The team must decide whether or not to pick up its team option on Colangelo. It is believed Colangelo will present a plan to MLSE’s board of directors early next month.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/...ident-and-ceo/

It is understood that Colangelo will have to make a presentation to the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment board in the coming days in hopes of getting his option picked up.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/stor...on-sources-say

Can't find where I read it but BC meeting/presentation is May 7th. Wish I could find it.


blackjitsu posted this interview:

http://pmd.fan590.com/audio_on_deman...-Interview.mp3

12:15 mark of interview

Q: Do you have a role in the Bryan Colangelo extension?
"I have a role in the Bryan Colangelo relationship and we'll see where that goes."

Also should be noted that Leiweke is no NBA novice. Served as president of Nuggets for four seasons in addition to working for the Wolves.