Truth & Rumors > NBA

Raptors as irrelevant as ever

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08:19 AM ET 07.05 | Credit the Raptors for going down swinging. The Raptors had the biggest offer on the table ($36 million U.S. over three years as opposed to the reported $27 million he ended up with from the Lakers) but have missed the playoffs for the past four years and were not a geographic fit. ... The Raptors and general manager Bryan Colangelo put everything they had into convincing Nash to come home to Canada -- offering a ton of money, sending a contingent to New York City and showing him an inspirational video -- but in the end, it was not to be. Now, the Raptors remain as irrelevant as ever, scorned by a native son. This will not play well, so Colangelo must move quickly.

Toronto Sun

Andrea Bargnani, Getty Images Andrea Bargnani, Getty Images
July 5, 2012  08:21 AM ET

At least they'll get Landry Fields......

July 5, 2012  08:27 AM ET

And somehow Colangelo has had a job for almost 7 years.

Comment #3 has been removed
July 5, 2012  08:33 AM ET

Winning matters more than cheese. Nash has a decent shot @ winning a championship belt in LA versus Toronto.

July 5, 2012  08:33 AM ET

The Raptors haven't been relevant since Vinsanity took his talents back to the US.

Comment #6 has been removed
July 5, 2012  08:37 AM ET

Raptors as irrelevant as ever...


Truth... Next!

Comment #8 has been removed
July 5, 2012  08:50 AM ET

I'm completely overjoyed in that I hope the Knicks don't foolishly match that offer for Fields, the classic playoffs underachiever. Good riddence, less of a cap problem!

I also thought that the Raptor ownershipship are only interested marketing their team as opposed to trying to construct a championshi caliber team. Overpaying for Fields, grossly offerring to overpay Nash and giving him a executive front office position as unproven as he is in that capacity......utter ridiculousness. The NBA should seriously considering moving that franchise outta Canada, home of great fight songs, hockey and the CFL.

Comment #10 has been removed
July 5, 2012  09:06 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

I'm completely overjoyed in that I hope the Knicks don't foolishly match that offer for Fields, the classic playoffs underachiever. Good riddence, less of a cap problem! I also thought that the Raptor ownershipship are only interested marketing their team as opposed to trying to construct a championshi caliber team. Overpaying for Fields, grossly offerring to overpay Nash and giving him a executive front office position as unproven as he is in that capacity......utter ridiculousness. The NBA should seriously considering moving that franchise outta Canada, home of great fight songs, hockey and the CFL.

I agree with all your points. It's business first so they go after players that will sell. Let's face it. Raptors will never be able to assemble the kinda star power needed to win a championship but they can be a profitable franchise so they're just being realistic with their options.

The Fields offer was just to deter Knicks from going after Nash but don't forget we have a very foolish owner as well. I won't be shocked if Knicks match Fields and Linn and go deep into luxuy tax... it's just money. The tree grows in NY.

July 5, 2012  09:13 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

Nash does care about winning! How can somebody say that he doesn't care about winning when he gave his all everytime and sacrificed so much?...lol

Don't bother with him. He's convinced Nash doesn't care about winning.

Which is obviously why he went to play with a 5 time champion...

July 5, 2012  09:17 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

The NBA should seriously considering moving that franchise outta Canada, home of great fight songs, hockey and the CFL.

Fight songs?

The franchise has never posted a loss. MLSE tithes Leafs season tickets to Raptors season tickets, basically ensuring that every game will have 17,000 seats paid for. They could finish last for the next decade and have all their #1 picks be a bust and the franchise will STILL make money. You don't move profitable franchises.

Also, fight songs?

July 5, 2012  09:17 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

The NBA should seriously considering moving that franchise outta Canada, home of great fight songs, hockey and the CFL.

The franchise has never posted a loss. MLSE tithes Leafs season tickets to Raptors season tickets, basically ensuring that every game will have 17,000 seats paid for. They could finish last for the next decade and have all their #1 picks be a bust and the franchise will STILL make money. You don't move profitable franchises.

Also, fight songs?

Comment #15 has been removed
July 5, 2012  09:40 AM ET

Nash not going back to his home town and leaving 9m on the table for 3 seasons is similar in many ways to LeBron leaving Cleveland for the shores and ultimately a title in Miami.

Can not fault a guy for sacrificing money for wins.

Nash in LA will be interesting for sure because Kobe loves to pound that rock.

If anything, Nash will make Pau and Bynum better and Kobe will be Kobe.

Good move LA, I think that moves them a bit closer to the Thunder.

July 5, 2012  09:42 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

At least they'll get Landry Fields......

LOL that should catapult them into the playoffs!

July 5, 2012  09:50 AM ET

Extinction Bites, Bros.

July 5, 2012  10:21 AM ET

There real hope is in the Draft Lottery. If lucky, they can follow the OKC building plan...

 
July 5, 2012  10:22 AM ET
QUOTE(#16):

Nash not going back to his home town and leaving 9m on the table for 3 seasons is similar in many ways to LeBron leaving Cleveland for the shores and ultimately a title in Miami.Can not fault a guy for sacrificing money for wins.Nash in LA will be interesting for sure because Kobe loves to pound that rock.If anything, Nash will make Pau and Bynum better and Kobe will be Kobe.Good move LA, I think that moves them a bit closer to the Thunder.

I love when ppl argue LeBron left money to go to Miami. OK, he left $15 mill on the table but whats the difference when The man still made $110 mill on his latest contract? He can wipe his butt with $15 mill at this point. He's probably close to a billionaire with all his endorsements included. He sure made one heck of a sacrifice to join a super team. Poor LeBron lol

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