Free Agency – Can Colangelo Bring FAs to Philadelphia 76ers

Colangelo Track Record

In seven years with the Raptors, the team made just two playoff appearances – on both occasions failing to get past that first round.  In 2007, the 47-win Raptors, appearing completely rebuilt for post-season under Bryan Colangelo and coach Sam Mitchell, had won awards for both the GM and the head coach. In that series, the Raptors rode Chris Bosh’s 22 points and 10 rebounds a game into post season.

Rapping On Playoff Door

The Raptors had a new, selfless style of basketball – much like that passing emphasized style in Europe – and the Raptors’ past woes in post season play finally seemed to be behind them. Until the first round, when former Raptor Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson took them out in six games.  The following year, the Raptors again made an appearance, but once more were shown the door in just five games against the Orlando Magic.

Under Colangelo, the Toronto Raptors compiled a winning percentage of .423 (247-337), and the last three years Toronto’s winning percentage had slipped to .343 (79-151).   Despite early bravado, the team devolved into a struggling franchise with Colangelo as the GM. His propensity for instant results sky-rocketed the Raptors initially into post-season contention, but resulted in disappointment as the team did not have sufficient depth or enough talent in the line-up.

Failure To Communicate

Chris Bosh was clearly a key player, but the general manager failed to surround him with players who would compliment his play.  His path of the build, free agency and trades, resulted in quick fixes to a team without generating the type of teamwork necessary for a championship run.  In fact, the results at Toronto was a perfect example of building for a team to compete, but not win, championship basketball.

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Sir Charles In Charge

Looking back at personnel decisions Bryan Colangelo had made while with the Raptors, there were good and bad moments.  In terms of financial management of the team in regards to players contracts and moves towards free agency, he made poor decisions.  He was a mixed bag – some good and some not so good – in terms of player trades.  But in the NBA draft,  he has made very solid draft decisions.

Meanwhile, the voice of reason in the form of head coach Brett Brown has gone on record to be somewhat supportive of the new president.  But part of that support comes with a tapping of the brakes – a tone of “easy big fella!” in his endorsement.  As Colangelo fills the room with “his guys”, the voice of Brown will eventually be drowned out.  But there reamins some hope that he has made his point.

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