charlio lemieux
1-26-06, 3:49 PM
TSN.ca Staff
1/26/2006 2:26:30 PM
The Toronto Raptors have fired general manager Rob Babcock, saying he was the wrong choice for the job when he was hired 18 months ago. Wayne Embry will serve as interim general manager while a search for a full-time replacement gets underway.
The announcement was made at a Thursday afternoon news conference by Richard Peddie, the president and chief executive officer of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.
The move comes the day after Toronto's record dropped to 14-29 following a 104-88 loss to visiting Chicago.
"This was a tough decision, but one that we feel is in our best long-term interests," Peddie said. "We recognize Rob's efforts to clear cap space and bring in young talent, but it's time to bring in someone with proven experience as an NBA general manager to take us to the next level.
Related Info
Babcock Fired
"In fairness to Rob, once we knew a change was necessary, we didn't think it was right to have him continue. And from a team perspective, making this move today better positions us as we look toward the trade deadline and then the draft this spring."
When pressed, Peddie admitted that hiring Babcock may have been a mistake, and he took the blame for the decision.
"I thought he was the right choice but after working with Rob for a year and a half now, I went to the board and recommended that we relieve him because I'm not convinced he's the one that we need long-term," said Peddie.
"I'm disappointed that Rob was the wrong choice for us. In hindsight (I) should have got someone who was more proven."
Peddie said he was happy to have a man like Embry available to pick up the ball - even if it's only temporary.
"Wayne has the leadership qualities and league-wide credibility that we need to get to the next level," Peddie said. "He has the full powers of a general manager. Included within his mandate to manage our team roster and player development, and to further develop Sam, Wayne's advice will be sought in the hiring of the next general manager."
Babcock was was hired on June 7, 2004. His reign got off to a rocky start when he selected centre Rafael Araujo with the 8th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. The pick was widely panned and Araujo has been a bust to this point.
Then he signed volatile point guard Rafer Alston to a $30-million-US, six-year deal in July, 2004. Alston had skills, but was a major headache for the team.
On December 17, 2004, Babcock traded disgruntled superstar Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first round draft picks. The trade earned Babcock the wrath of Raptors' fans and may have ultimately sealed his fate, especially when the Raptors ate $10 million just to get rid of Mourning.
It didn't help when Babcock told local media over the summer that he didn't expect the team to play very well this year.
"There will be growing pains, no doubt about it," Babcock said. "Whether we win or lose more games than last year, I think if you look at us on paper, we probably will not win as many games as last year."
His 2005 draft class was also criticized, but to be fair, has shown promise. Babcock also earned praise before the season for trading to Houston in exchange for solid pro Mike James, but the Raptors got off to a terrible 1-15 start.
It was reported that Babcock took to wearing earplugs at the games to drown out the criticsm from fans.
"As with a coach, a general manager is evaluated in large part by the results of his decisions," Peddie said. "Unfortunately, while some progress has been made recently, those results have not met our expectations. We have plans in place that we believe will lead us into the playoffs in the near future, and enable us to compete for an NBA championship down the road. We will begin our search for a general manager, perhaps one who has the experience to serve as team president, who has the skills to build that winning team and deliver the results we expect."
Peddie noted that Embry's appointment would be beneficial for coach Sam Mitchell, who had clashed with Babcock.
"We also feel that in moving Wayne into the role of general manager on an interim basis we will be better able to develop Sam Mitchell's growth toward being a very good NBA coach during the second half of the season," Peddie said.
Peddie also admitted, however, that the new GM might want a new coach.
It is not simply a new GM but a whole new attitude is needed.
The trading history of the Toronto Raptors is like something out of a horror story. They traded One of the best defensive forwards in the game in Camby. They traded Two of the best point guards in the league, in Carter and McGrady. Although it should be pointed out T-Mac can play forward. And they wonder why they aren't winning. It's a good thing MLSE bought the team. A trade history like this, is status quo for them.:wicked:
This Could be our line-up: Carter G, Rose G, McGrady F, Bosh F, Camby C
Wow. I doubt we would be 14-29 with these guys.
Who is the best candidate for the vacant GM job that is available?
1/26/2006 2:26:30 PM
The Toronto Raptors have fired general manager Rob Babcock, saying he was the wrong choice for the job when he was hired 18 months ago. Wayne Embry will serve as interim general manager while a search for a full-time replacement gets underway.
The announcement was made at a Thursday afternoon news conference by Richard Peddie, the president and chief executive officer of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.
The move comes the day after Toronto's record dropped to 14-29 following a 104-88 loss to visiting Chicago.
"This was a tough decision, but one that we feel is in our best long-term interests," Peddie said. "We recognize Rob's efforts to clear cap space and bring in young talent, but it's time to bring in someone with proven experience as an NBA general manager to take us to the next level.
Related Info
Babcock Fired
"In fairness to Rob, once we knew a change was necessary, we didn't think it was right to have him continue. And from a team perspective, making this move today better positions us as we look toward the trade deadline and then the draft this spring."
When pressed, Peddie admitted that hiring Babcock may have been a mistake, and he took the blame for the decision.
"I thought he was the right choice but after working with Rob for a year and a half now, I went to the board and recommended that we relieve him because I'm not convinced he's the one that we need long-term," said Peddie.
"I'm disappointed that Rob was the wrong choice for us. In hindsight (I) should have got someone who was more proven."
Peddie said he was happy to have a man like Embry available to pick up the ball - even if it's only temporary.
"Wayne has the leadership qualities and league-wide credibility that we need to get to the next level," Peddie said. "He has the full powers of a general manager. Included within his mandate to manage our team roster and player development, and to further develop Sam, Wayne's advice will be sought in the hiring of the next general manager."
Babcock was was hired on June 7, 2004. His reign got off to a rocky start when he selected centre Rafael Araujo with the 8th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. The pick was widely panned and Araujo has been a bust to this point.
Then he signed volatile point guard Rafer Alston to a $30-million-US, six-year deal in July, 2004. Alston had skills, but was a major headache for the team.
On December 17, 2004, Babcock traded disgruntled superstar Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first round draft picks. The trade earned Babcock the wrath of Raptors' fans and may have ultimately sealed his fate, especially when the Raptors ate $10 million just to get rid of Mourning.
It didn't help when Babcock told local media over the summer that he didn't expect the team to play very well this year.
"There will be growing pains, no doubt about it," Babcock said. "Whether we win or lose more games than last year, I think if you look at us on paper, we probably will not win as many games as last year."
His 2005 draft class was also criticized, but to be fair, has shown promise. Babcock also earned praise before the season for trading to Houston in exchange for solid pro Mike James, but the Raptors got off to a terrible 1-15 start.
It was reported that Babcock took to wearing earplugs at the games to drown out the criticsm from fans.
"As with a coach, a general manager is evaluated in large part by the results of his decisions," Peddie said. "Unfortunately, while some progress has been made recently, those results have not met our expectations. We have plans in place that we believe will lead us into the playoffs in the near future, and enable us to compete for an NBA championship down the road. We will begin our search for a general manager, perhaps one who has the experience to serve as team president, who has the skills to build that winning team and deliver the results we expect."
Peddie noted that Embry's appointment would be beneficial for coach Sam Mitchell, who had clashed with Babcock.
"We also feel that in moving Wayne into the role of general manager on an interim basis we will be better able to develop Sam Mitchell's growth toward being a very good NBA coach during the second half of the season," Peddie said.
Peddie also admitted, however, that the new GM might want a new coach.
It is not simply a new GM but a whole new attitude is needed.
The trading history of the Toronto Raptors is like something out of a horror story. They traded One of the best defensive forwards in the game in Camby. They traded Two of the best point guards in the league, in Carter and McGrady. Although it should be pointed out T-Mac can play forward. And they wonder why they aren't winning. It's a good thing MLSE bought the team. A trade history like this, is status quo for them.:wicked:
This Could be our line-up: Carter G, Rose G, McGrady F, Bosh F, Camby C
Wow. I doubt we would be 14-29 with these guys.
Who is the best candidate for the vacant GM job that is available?