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08:07 AM ET 01.03 | Raptors president and GM Bryan Colangelo took the occasion of a Wednesday radio interview to say he thought Andrea Bargnani has received a raw deal in Toronto, and former Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell added his own take. [Mitchell] says he wasn't allowed to coach [Bargnani] the way he would have liked to because the franchise felt Bargnani wouldn't be able to handle it. Mitchell believes this could be one reason why Bargnani hasn't turned out to be the franchise player some thought he could become. "I wasn't allowed to coach Andrea the same way I was allowed to coach Jose (Calderon)," Mitchell told Tim & Sid on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. ... "I was not allowed to be that tough on Andrea because within the organization we felt he couldn't take it."

Andrea Bargnani, Getty Images

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January 3, 2013 08:36 AM ET

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I've met the man (AB). He's as big a **** as they come. Sammy shoulda been allowed to kick his **** around like it was goin out of style.

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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January 3, 2013 08:50 AM ET

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Sam is the smartest man in the room, just ask him. He couldn't handle Vince Carter either.

Onion

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January 3, 2013 08:52 AM ET

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The Raptors are playing like a team now without Bargnani on the floor. Terrance Ross is the real deal. Watch out for this kid. They played team defence last night with bodies diving all over the floor.

Onion

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January 3, 2013 09:20 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:50 AM ET 01.03 by Onion

Sam is the smartest man in the room, just ask him. He couldn't handle Vince Carter either.

Exactly.

That's two cases where the guy had trouble dealing with "star" talent on the team, which is a pretty important aspect of being a head coach.

Casey is doing a lot better and I believe the Raptors (BC, really) FINALLY come have to the conclusion that the Bargnani experiment was a bad idea.

They are playing good team basketball; trusting each other and working harder then their opponents...which is the only way to beat other teams when you have less talent.

The result; Raptors have won 8 of the last 9 games.

Crooked Stiches

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January 3, 2013 09:23 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:59 AM ET 01.03 by G-B

8th seed this year?

One can only hope.

As a NYer, you people (yes I said 'you people') should understand the frustration from years of disappointing play. I hope you can understand the cautious optimism we feel now that the Raptors are playing consistently better, and the right way.