Did MLSE Force a Raptor Rebuild?

[Built Ford Tough]

WolstatSun

I will obviously try to find out what went down if there indeed was a meeting today.

half a minute ago via TweetDeck

 

WolstatSun

Also was told BC wanted to trade for vets and make playoff push earlier in year before losing skid but was "voted down by other voices."

3 minutes ago via TweetDeck

 

I wouldn't be surprised at all if this was true as it is exactly what I was expecting Colangelo to do all year long. Glad MLSE overruled him, if this is true. As much as I hate watching this team this season, it would be 100X worse as at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel (albeit, the light is a very bleak glimmer at the end of a very long tunnel) with this team.

 

It also may be a reason why Brian Burke is suddenly trading for all of these draft picks for the Leafs.

 

Maybe MLSE is actually concerned about building a contender instead of just making money?

[Check my Stats]

Maybe MLSE has finally realized they have basically unconditional support from their fans and are going to finally focus on putting a competent product on showcase for their fans eventually. I don't know if I believe that one about the vets though, it feels like we've been committed to a rebuild since day one, or not necessarily a rebuild, but to this core, and you can even see that in the off-season moves that were made/tried to be made to shed salary. I know i was scared we might make a move for a vet, but since the season got going it felt like that was a real long shot.

 

The Burke deal just made no sense to me, Leafs have no pick of their own to fall back on so why they're dealing quality players makes no sense to me. For the Raptors to deal Reggie Evans (for example) at the deadline makes sense, since we can at least afford to lose. Burke dug his own grave as far as I am concerned, now I have no clue what he is doing.

Edited February 15, 2011 by Check my Stats

[Built Ford Tough]

I don't know about all of his moves being about "rebuilding" (for lack of a better word). I think if he had his way the Raptors roster would look something like:

 

C: Tyson Chandler

PF: Andrea Bargnani/Boris Diaw

SF: Matt Barnes/Linas Kleiza

SG: DeMar DeRozan/Leandro Barbosa

PG: Jarrett Jack/???

 

right now. Obviously things didn't work out with these deals due to Jordan pulling out at the last minute and them not realizing they have the cap room to offer Barnes a contract, but I think after losing Bosh he was trying to put together a team that could challenge for one of those bottom East playoff spots. I'm not saying that he would turn a deal down that would shed some salary or pick up a cheap prospect or something, but I don't know if I can say that was his main priority until it was pretty much forced upon him due to his other moves falling apart (or MLSE laying down the law).

 

I don't know, though. I might just be too cynical when it comes to Colangelo. I don't claim to be impartial when it comes to him and I don't try to hide the fact that I don't like his appraoch to building a team.