Remember This?

This is the picture that comes to mind when most people think of Micheal Jordan's first NBA Title. But to get to this point took many failures and attempts. The best player in the history of the game to many did not just instantly become as NBA Champion. He had many wars and struggles to reach that point. The battles with the Pistons and Knicks it was a true struggle to get to this moment. Easy to forget now when you think back now to the many championships that would follow.

Toronto Raptors one day hope to hold that trophy and bring it to Canada. That is the goal for every NBA Team to eventual reach that point of being considered the best team in the NBA. It is a very hard thing to accomplish and it takes many years of trying to make it a realistic.  Some Raptor fans and realistic just do not go together. I can't tell you how many trades that have no hope of every coming true I read on a weekly basis. The rush for success by a lot of Raptor fans is not based in realistic terms. There have been points in this franchise where the Raptors have jumped ahead of expectations. Last season was one of those points. An Atlantic Division title was a goal that came to this team far before many had expected. This lead to this of high in the sky expectations. The Raptors if they should lose on Wednesday will be officially worse then last year record wise. Does this mean the goal of being a Champion has gone of course? It would be if the Raptor fans that are in a rush to success were running the team. They want T.J Ford Traded, Sam Mitchell fired and Andrea Bargnani To be cast aside in a trade. Will any of these things happen any time soon? Sorry to burst your bubble but it would be highly unlikely in all cases. You can never say never but Bryan Colangelo is a smart guy and knows that fans can have the freedom to let loose and say whatever they like even if it has no chance of happening.

But if you are the General Manger of the Toronto Raptors you can not just say whatever comes to mind. Colangelo was quoted in the papers talking on a number of issues.  He was careful to say the right things and admitted he expected more from everyone. In that everyone he means himself as well.  Colangelo himself has spent a lifetime in pursuit of an NBA Championship.  Just like his Father Jerry has before him and along side him with the Suns. He clearly understands the challenge that it is to win a championship in this league. Raptor fans as passionate as they may be to not live and breath this goal every moment of the day. It is his job and his ultimate goal.  The same can be said of everyone connected with the Toronto Raptors organization. It is more then just talk on the basketball side of the MLSE. The hockey team across the hall talks about wanting to win Stanley Cups but at this point does anyone believe them? I think people do believe in the people on the basketball team having the desire to win a Championship. They have too have this goal first and foremost. The sellout crowds that have filled the Air Canada Center for basketball are not just expected to happen. It takes the Raptors being successful for it to happen. The same can not be said for the Hockey team.  

It is certainly concerning to see what is going on with the Raptors. It is not a time to panic though and rush to make choices that will have large impact on this franchise and it's current path. Raptors made this mistake before when they were on the high of playoff success. The re-signing of Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams, Alvin Williams and Vince Carter along with the addition Hakeem the dream. Many thought that Raptors had turned into contenders. History would show this was not the case. Getting to an NBA title is not a 100 meter Dash it is a marathon.  The Raptors tried to sprint ahead only to run out of gas and fall apart altogether. The next season and what is left of this one will be a key moment in the Bryan Colangelo Era one way or another. Colangelo has created himself a lot of flexibility to change his roster and improve it.  The Raptor team at this point next year has the potential to look very different if he choose to do so.  Likely the one thing that is of concern and is the amount of money it will take and the number of years to keep Jose Calderon. Bryan has went on record saying the Raptors will match any offer that he gets as a restricted free agent. So many feel this means if that number is to high that means you automatically must trade T.J Ford but at least from a cap perspective that is not true. If the Raptors are to break up the point guard duo it will not be done without getting the most value possible in return. T.J Ford's value today would not be nearly as high as if he stays injury free and makes it to next season's trade deadline healthy. It is also not unreasonable to think Ford could return next season and actually win his job back.  People also need to remember that Jose Calderon will be planning on playing For Spain in China. I think the Memphis Grizzles can tell you what can happen in international competition to a star player. So those looking to run T.J out of town should remember that fact. 

The rush to make a choice is almost always the wrong move. Think if the Lakers had rushed and unloaded an unhappy Kobe Bryant. The best thing you can be as an NBA General Manager is patient. The good G.M's are the ones that have that kind of control. It is a important factor that is the base of any good G.M. It is important to know when to make your moves and when to stay the course. Ask Rob Babcock what can happen if you get pushed into a trade by a superstar player. Actually I'll save you the Boredom to quote Donald Trump and Vince McManon " YOUR FIRED". That is not going to happen to Bryan Colangelo any time soon. He will do what it takes to get it done after all it is more then just a job to him it is a life long family obsession to win an NBA TITLE.

So in this time of doubt and uncertainty you can breath easy cause when you have stopped being concerned about the Raptors for a moment you can know that Bryan Colangelo is on the job. Raptor fans can sleep much sounder with him as the leader of this franchise. Much more then the guys running the hockey team or Rob Babcock.  In fact maybe that is the Answer Rob Babcock the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I can't think of a more perfect fit. Dino Nation helping Leaf Nation do what they have done since 1967. LOSE!!! I know some of you may be actually be Leaf fans but at least you have the good sense to be Raptors fans as well so there is still hope for you!!! I will save you a full-time Membership in the Dino Nation.