RealGM Analysis
The fortunes of the Toronto Raptors turned a corner when Bryan Colangelo left the Phoenix Suns, their new management and his father?s large shadow and flew north to Canada to run the country?s only NBA team, the Toronto Raptors.
On Tuesday, not only did the franchise?s fortunes turn the corner, they ran over everything in sight when Russ Granik announced that the Raptors had won the NBA?s Draft Lottery.
Now it is up to Colangelo, a general manager who is highly trusted by Raptors faithful, to make the right pick.
My suggestion is that they select the best player available.
Sure, it?s an obvious concept and one that most observers will say is basically a given, but there?s one thing that needs to be made clear when I urge selecting the best player available and that is to not assume that you, as a fan, have any idea who the best player available is.
Let the Raptors management, namely Colangelo, make the pick and trust them.
Most fans are suggesting LaMarcus Aldridge, others Rudy Gay, some still like Andrea Bargnani, but what the team really needs is a fan base that will trust the moves made by their general manager.
Aldridge fills a giant hole, giving the team a back-to-the-basket threat who can grow into, one of my most dreaded labels, a legitimate center.
Gay is an athletic wing man who can be a potential second star alongside Chris Bosh and already has a solid relationship with former University of Connecticut teammate Charlie Villanueva.
Bargnani is something of an unknown. He has a fluid jump shot, runs the floor well and has been labelled a personal favorite of Colangelo.
"Andrea Bargnani is one of several players we?ll have to consider with the top pick," said Colangelo following the draft.
But the list does not end there. There are also names like Adam Morrison, Tyrus Thomas and Marcus Williams, all of whom bring unique traits to the table.
Will Raptors fans freak out if they hear Stern call Morrison?s name on June 28? Oh, no doubt. But the pick is not for the fans to decide, it?s at the discretion of the GM. Not just any GM, but one who has selected Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion in his stellar draft history.
Rather than creating bandwagons or hoping for your guy to get selected, remember who has the NBA experience on draft day and remember that while you may be unhappy with the pick, you?re not the person calling Madison Square Garden in June.