11/05/24
June 05, 2004
Raptors Hire GM: The Raptors have hired the Minnesota T'Wolves' VP of Player Personnel, Rob Babcock, as their new GM. The Raps' interim GM Jack McCloskey apparently has close ties to Babcock, so Babcock's signing is being billed as somthing of a coup for McCloskey. If this is indeed a 'coup', it's a sign that the Raptors' reign of futility won't come to an end anytime soon. McCloskey has no incentive for Babcock to do a good job--he's outta there once Babcock comes on board--and while I'm sure Babcock is qualified, if he's not the best candidate for the job, McCloskey has done nobody but Babcock a favor with his patronage hiring.
posted by lew to basketball at 10:09 AM - 4 comments
Really, it does seem prety silly- it's not like Babcock has done particularly brilliant things in years in charge of the wolves.
posted by tieguy at 11:17 AM on June 05, 2004
I don't think Lew is being entirely fair about this hiring. On top of the Babcock hiring, the Raptors have hired Wayne Embry as the assistant general manager and Alex English as new director of player personnel. Embry and English are both well-respected in the NBA and Embry's previous GM experience will provide great support for Babcock. As for the new GM, if he had anything to do with discovering and drafting Kevin Garnett in '95 when four teams picked Joe Smith, Antonio McDyess, Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace before him, then that's good enough for me.
posted by Scott Carefoot at 02:43 PM on June 05, 2004
Ack. Dr. J is beggin to come on board this laughable franchise and Peddie can't handle it. Hey who wants to attract talent, anyway. This team's front office doesn't need to be cleaned up so much as blown up.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:12 PM on June 06, 2004
lew, tell us how you really feel! Seriously, because from your FPP I can't tell if you have no opinion or are just being passive-aggressive in trying to avoid front page editorializing.