<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">I think people are blowing this out of proportion. He's just trying to say we probably won't win more than 33 games, which is understandable. Lot's of people think Toronto won't win more than 35-40 games, and they are probably right. Basically, there will be growing pains. Some nights Villanueva could put up 20 points and the Raptors will win, and others the Raptors will lose or get blown out. Also, nowhere does he say 'we have no chance'. Just the media (aka the puckheads who know nothing about basketball, and drool all over hockey) putting words in Babs' mouth.</div> The problem is Babcock should not offer predictions for his team. As the GM he has no business putting any expectations on this team, especially negative ones, until the team gets on the court and starts playing. If all he's looking at his team on paper and comparing it to last season's roster it's laughable to consider him a professional. I think it's obvious the team is rebuilding, but you never know what the outcome is going to be until teams start playing. Look at the Heat a couple of seasons ago. They were young and rebuilding. They had Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Dwayne Wade (rookie season), but managed to get to the 2nd round of the playoffs. This team just clicked on the court and they finished off the season strong, once they all got healthy. Then they upset their 1st round opponent, the Hornets and took the Pacers to 7 games in the 2nd round. They went from 25 wins to 42 wins even with Caron Butler only playing in 68 games, while Wade played in only 61 games. The point is, you just never know how a team is going to function together, whether it's a young team, veteran team, or a mixture of both.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Babcock still could of conveyed the same message in better words. He could of said something, like "it might not show in the record, but the team will be in a better shape than last year," which is true, because of the young talent he's bringing in.</div> That's true, it would've been much better if he said something along those lines. But at the same time, I don't think anyone should get all worked up b/c of his comments. I just think that too many people are holding onto that one line he said. Everything else he said about the team was positive and it's not like it's a huge secret that we probably won't win more games this season.
The fans have no reason to get mad about his comments, because we hear much worse in the media everyday. I'm more concerned about how these comments go over in the locker-room and in the offices. He's already been unfairly put on the hot seat, and these type of comments will only make it harder for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">The fans have no reason to get mad about his comments, because we hear much worse in the media everyday. I'm more concerned about how these comments go over in the locker-room and in the offices. He's already been unfairly put on the hot seat, and these type of comments will only make it harder for him.</div> Isn't that the reason for fans to be mad? Babcock has already created a darkcloud over this team, and they have yet to play one pre-season game. Even if the media is much worse, it's no excuse for him to be negative about this upcoming season. If anything, he needs to be even more positive to balance out the negative nature of the media. There are thousand different ways for Babcock to comment about this team without putting unfair expectations on them. He could have listed out several attainable goals for this team without addressing the win/loss column. - "We want to protect our homecourt this season and go from there." - "We plan on being more exciting this season with our young core." - "Our goal is to compete for the post-season and win our division." - "We are going to experiment with a lot of different looks this year to get it right, and build from there." As a fan I'd much rather hear that, and at least have something to look forward to.
babcock made a mistake by saying that to the media.. not only does it give fans the impression that this guy doesnt believe in his team but it also puts the players down They all want to win badly and if their own boss says "we will be having another disappointing season" this will make them loose all their confidence
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Isn't that the reason for fans to be mad? Babcock has already created a darkcloud over this team, and they have yet to play one pre-season game. </div> Yes, I agree that the fans have a right to be upset about the possible repurcutions of Babcock's comments. However, I was referring to the fans who felt that it destroys their hopes for a good season. I think his comments were foolish, but not because they were brutally honest, rather because they set a bad precedent for the team and don't create a positive attitude around the organization. As a fan, I've respected Babcock's honesty, because he's given us more than team propaganda. However, I feel that this is the first time he's given that, but also negatively affected the team as well.
It's one of those mulligans. You just wished you could take it back. I agree with everything shape says - there is still a lot of ways to balance all the negative stuff he's said with some positives.
Perhaps Babcock is trying to give the team the its us against the world out look. In which they will be playing with a chip on their shoulders trying to prove something. A lot of times nothing motivates a person more than when you tell them they are not good enough. They set out on a mission to prove you wrong.
I think Babcock was trying to be honest, and honestly I pretty much agree that the Raptors will probably not make playoffs or win a substantially larger amount of games next season. It puts less pressure on our rookies, and will allow Mitchell to give more PT to our younger players. I think most people have to understand that our team needs to develop for the future. I have a feeling that this might have been to decrease any anger towards Coach Mitchell and the players if Mitchell decides to play the younger ones more.
I have been criticized to no end by Raptor nation for constantly knocking Babcock, but this is hilarious. If this doesn't help you guys realize what a moron there is running that team, nothing will. He is an idiot
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MAKEOUTCITY:</div><div class="quote_post">Quit hating on our Cock dude!</div> Great response
Jalen Rose expressed his anger on the Best Damn Sports Show earlier this evening. He basically said Babcock took away the motivation to play for Toronto and any optimism the team had. I'm sure there will be an article tomorrow, I'll be sure to post it if no one else does.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Schaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">I have been criticized to no end by Raptor nation for constantly knocking Babcock, but this is hilarious. If this doesn't help you guys realize what a moron there is running that team, nothing will. He is an idiot </div> Ok, I would say for a larger part a lot of people already dislike Babcock. The media in T.O. is overwhelmingly criticizing the guy, and that just didn't start yesterday. Pretty much he's had every move he's done 2nd guessed, for good reasons in most cases. I don't understand how "Raptor Nation" supports this guy. He had a draft party at the ACC this year and was booed for his choices. It's not like everyone is sitting around going "Babcock is getting us to the playoffs". And I agree with you 100% his comments are moronic.
Mitchell shrugs off prognostications (toronto star) excerpt: Sam Mitchell would prefer the Raptors actually play their games this season to find out how many they'll win rather than concern himself with summer-time prognostications. "I expect us to compete hard, play hard, play the right way. I'm not worried about how people pick us or how many wins and losses they say we'll have," the head coach said in a telephone interview yesterday. "My whole thing is to try and take some pressure off Sam," Babcock said in a telephone interview. "We're committed to playing our young guys and he knows that. If the young guys develop quickly, we'll surprise some people; if they don't, they'll be getting some experience. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...93064&t=TS_Home
Just what the hell is it with you people? You were (including myself) the same people bashing media left and right and now it's the media who needs our protection? He did not say anything close to "We have no chance", all he said was if you (a casual fan) looked at the Raptors roster, he / she would probably not think that we will win as many games as last year. Steve Buffery and the Sun's editor blew it way out of proportion by putting their words in the same context as Babcock's. Steve Buffery did get punished for this on Sportsnet by Jim Van Horn, if anyone saw the interview.
Jesus. They might as well just sell the team to Kentucky. Have ONLY KFC sold inside the stadium and maybe Make "The Dream" work at one so that he doesn't get paid by the raps for doing absolutely nothing. "Would you like our new CLassic Combo? It's only $4.55 and made of delicious highway racoon corpse" hahaha...that would be great. Point of rant......the Cock must go. (Babcock I mean )
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">Just what the hell is it with you people? You were (including myself) the same people bashing media left and right and now it's the media who needs our protection? He did not say anything close to "We have no chance", all he said was if you (a casual fan) looked at the Raptors roster, he / she would probably not think that we will win as many games as last year. Steve Buffery and the Sun's editor blew it way out of proportion by putting their words in the same context as Babcock's. Steve Buffery did get punished for this on Sportsnet by Jim Van Horn, if anyone saw the interview.</div> Dude, he's saying that the team probably won't get as many wins as they did last season, which pretty much says that the team has no chance in making the playoffs. First of all, I'm bashing Cockbag because he didn't even have to say things like that in the first place. Sure, he didn't intend for it to mean that the Raps don't have a chance, but it's still a negative thing to say and maybe he should think about the young guys he just drafted - that's like a punch to their nuts. Everyone knows the chances the Raps have got this year is very slim, but give some optimism...give the team a damn chance and maybe they will make some sort of run this year. It's like he's not even giving the team a chance and the season hasn't even started yet. That Cockbag needs to go or this team is going to be owned by Mr. Sanders down in Kentucky and "The Dream" will have to work, frying raccoons and french fries all day...no we don't want that to happen, hehe.
