Full Version: Toronto Raptors 2008-2009
I heard someone on the radio today put out the theory that some teams may be allowing their interim coaches to stay on because of...the economy! Seems that they don't want to shell out a lot of money for a big-name new coach when they're still obligated to pay a recently fired coach.
Indeed, I believe the Raptors are still paying Sam Mitchell. But how long will Triano last? I believe Marc Iavaroni is waiting in the wings.
And it also creates job security for ongoing lousy coaches. Dunleavy should have been out on his ass (although staying on as GM maybe) by mid-season, but there's no way Donald Sterling is going to pay him millions for not working.
QUOTE(canmark @ May 13 2009, 09:34 PM) 
Indeed, I believe the Raptors are still paying Sam Mitchell. But how long will Triano last? I believe Marc Iavaroni is waiting in the wings.
Oh, for you Raptor fans' sake, I hope not. If anything make him an assistant, but don't give him the power!
Raptors assistant coaching situation.
When Iavaroni was brought in late in the season many of us assumed he was being set up as the next head coach, since Bryan Colangelo knew him from Phoenix, and he would inject perhaps a Mike D'antoni-style of play for the Raptors. I still think that, should the Raptors struggle next season, I wouldn't be surprised if Triano was dropped for Iavaroni.
QUOTE
The contracts of every assistant coach – guys who worked side-by-side with Triano under former coach Sam Mitchell – expire next month and creating a new staff becomes the immediate priority.
Triano gave no hint about his leanings after being named the seventh head coach in the team's 15-year history, leaving the fate of full-fledged assistants Alex English, Mike Evans and Gord Herbert up in the air, along with assistant coaches for basketball development Eric Hughes and Micah Nori.
* * *
One name that will be bandied about immediately is that of Marc Iavaroni, the former Memphis head coach and long-time Phoenix assistant who spent a week in Toronto late last season as a "consultant" hired by GM Bryan Colangelo as an extra set of eyes to watch practices and games. Iavaroni and Triano have worked a series of evaluation camps in Italy over the years and there is a level of familiarity.
Triano gave no hint about his leanings after being named the seventh head coach in the team's 15-year history, leaving the fate of full-fledged assistants Alex English, Mike Evans and Gord Herbert up in the air, along with assistant coaches for basketball development Eric Hughes and Micah Nori.
* * *
One name that will be bandied about immediately is that of Marc Iavaroni, the former Memphis head coach and long-time Phoenix assistant who spent a week in Toronto late last season as a "consultant" hired by GM Bryan Colangelo as an extra set of eyes to watch practices and games. Iavaroni and Triano have worked a series of evaluation camps in Italy over the years and there is a level of familiarity.
When Iavaroni was brought in late in the season many of us assumed he was being set up as the next head coach, since Bryan Colangelo knew him from Phoenix, and he would inject perhaps a Mike D'antoni-style of play for the Raptors. I still think that, should the Raptors struggle next season, I wouldn't be surprised if Triano was dropped for Iavaroni.
QUOTE(smokey16 @ Jun 5 2009, 10:58 PM)
I told you, Iavaroni is waiting in the wings. If the Raptors stumble out of the gate, dont' be surprised if Triano is replaced by Iavaroni.
Meanwhile, Bryan Colangelo undoes his Jason Kapono signing of a few years ago by shipping him off to Philly for Reggie Evans. While the Raptors do need some interior toughness and rebounding, I don't know that we need a very undersized (6' 8") power forward who's not much of a scorer. We need a 7-footer to support Bargnani, and a high energy guy (like Varejao or Chris Anderson, or former Raptor Jerome Williams); Evans is just a poor man's version of that need.
Get Chris Kaman from the Clippers, and you guys can have a ball grabbin' good time in Toronto! 
Chris Bosh and a lion cub. Too cute!
The Raptors and Leafs unveiled the new gourmet hot dogs that will be available for the 2009-2010 season. These include a $7.25 Kobe dog (named for Kobe (wagyu) beef, not Kobe Bryant, presumably), a hot dog topped with baked beans or pulled pork, and of course a poutine dog. There will also be new mini donuts, bear paws and Raptor claws. Video.
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