HawthorneVillager.com

Anyone else lost interest in the Raptors? I used to follow every move. But with such bad luck (75% of the team injured) and such a season where we win against the best and lose against the worst, I totally lost interest.

What will Colangelo do as the trade deadline clock ticks. What we need is some luck and a strong coach (ie van gundy, carlyle...) or is it just a matter of time and long term stability similar to the approach San Antonio has taken...

It's not so much interest, its losing the enthusiasm for the team. Although going into the season I wasnt expecting much.

I've been full onboard with the "tank nation" and quite enjoy those narrow losses. We've seen glimpes of solid talent with Bayless, Derozan, and Ed Davis, Bargs, and Amir

Bargnani has been incredible on the offensive side of the ball...he is frustrating to watch on the defensive side. If Bryan can find a competent defensive minded center, shifting Bargs to PF, i think we'll mask that weakness quite a bit.

The most frustrating part of this season? Watching Triano give extended playing time to guys like Calderon and Kleiza. Julian Wright has proven again and again that he belongs in the starting line-up...not only for his defense but ability to pass and rebound. Kleiza is a one man blackhole/turnover machine. I cringe everytime he has the ball.

Bryan needs to trade these vets for young assest...get rid of Barbosa, Kleiza, Calderon, Evans, even Weems needs to go. Anyone who isnt in the long term plans or doesnt play team first bball [ahem...Weems/Kleiza]...give the playing time to the kids.

Next steps, hope we luck out in the draft lottery and hopefully have Kyrie Irving drop to us. The media proclamined next "Chris Paul". I believe the only way to get elite talent to T.O. is through the draft.

I like watching the young guys play and develop. Ed Davis looks like a future defensive shot blocking monster, so who knows maybe he'll match up with Bargs pretty well. Regardless, its encouraging to see the team play hard and keeping the games close [most of the time]

Raptors who? I've lost all interest myself. I thought Colangelo said he'd spend over the tax threshold if need be? Why do I have a feeling the MLSE board has something to do with the continued state of the raptors? Why do I have a feeling that if Colangelo went elsewhere, he'd be putting together a great team? Why do I feel that as long as MLSE is running the show that the bottom line is profits and not wins? In Toronto you can get the first without having the second.

The way I keep interest is by betting against them. Since I have so many "loyal" friends, I bet some of them before the season last year that they wouldn't make they playoffs (which they missed by 1 game).

This year before the season, I bet them that they wouldn't hit 30 wins, looks like I'm winning that bet also as they're currently on pace for about 26-27. Makes watching them lose much more bearable and actually enjoyable!

Toronto sports "fans" turn on people so quickly it seems in all sports, you lose and you're out of the family

I haven't lost interest or enthusiasm for the Raptors as much as I have for the NBA. The only Miami Heat thing completely ruined it for me. I really just root for the Heat to lose.

"Anyone else lost interest in the Raptors? I used to follow every move."

hrrrmmm... I had season's tickets for a long time, went to 35-40 games a year... Then priorities change, so I downgraded to mere "Die Hard Fan" status...

This year I didn't have high hopes, I just wanted them to be competitive and fun to watch, but unfortunately they are neither.

Now I don't even bother watching since Bargs isn't even trying, and everyone else is just filling time.
There is SOME talent on the Raptors, but for the first season ever, I'm not at all emotionally invested in it.


Ant - I have been yelling "We Want Van Gundy!!" since before the Lenny Wilkins days. I think he's happy in broadcast, and clearly has extended his lifespan by doing so - that guy was so WIRED as a coach he looked like he never slept, and I loved that about him!

Colangelo, bye bye.. should have signed and traded Bosh for Lee and Gallinari mid-last year when I wanted him to.