http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060126.wraps26/BNStory/Sports//

I hope Hammond isn't feeling up to the challenge...

Too little, too late.

I thought Mitchell would go first.

I guess he's next when the new GM comes in and wants to hire "his guy".

Oh, and http://www.realgm.com/boards/images/smiles/icon_ter.gif

Too little, too late.

Agreed times a million. The owner needs to fire every single person affiliated with the Raptors and start the hell over.

I don't think Hammond would have any interest in that franchise. He likes it here and would only consider leaving for the right situation and I can't believe the Toronto Raptors organization is the right situation un;ess they gave him carte blanche and the keys to the castle.

Chad Ford mentioned Hammond today in his chat as a potential GM in Portland when that job eventually opens up.

They tried to hire him once before if memory serves.

And not one person used this as an opportunity to say Bab-Cock.

Gosh I love that name.

Ummmm.....Who cares?

finally. that is all. the date should have come when he drafted arujo which pissed off VC, or when he traded VC for 3 magic beans.

Since the great Zeke was there back in the dizzle and is probably
still friends with some people there, I think they should let Isiah be
GM of both the Raps and Knicks.

Mostly so we can laugh our asses off some more.

Since the great Zeke was there back in the dizzle and is probably
still friends with some people there, I think they should let Isiah be
GM of both the Raps and Knicks.

Mostly so we can laugh our asses off some more.

If you merged the NYK and the Raps you might have a play-off team...

If you merged the NYK and the Raps you might have a play-off team...

Not sure about that one... Though Bosh and Frye would be fun to watch in the future.

Nets-Knicks for sure though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/realgm/Knecks.jpg

I don't understand the raps firing their GM. Didn't the owner say not to expect much of anything this year? So when the owner doesn't expect anything how can he be let down? I don't get it.

I don't understand the raps firing their GM. Didn't the owner say not to expect much of anything this year? So when the owner doesn't expect anything how can he be let down? I don't get it.

I think it was the GM who said that.

This move was long overdue. Although, I must point out the fact that he has done pretty well this season. He has a nice core in Bosh, Villanueva, Graham, Sow and Calderon. And the trade for Mike James was a pretty good deal too. Now if they had a real coach and a real center, they might be able to do something.

And not one person used this as an opportunity to say Bab-Cock.

Gosh I love that name.

LOL, same.

BABCOCK BABCOCK BABCOCK

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/27/Beetlejuice.jpg

For those that think Babcock did a bad job:

He was brought in to trade Vince and he did that.

He got next to nothing in the trade although they're still owed a first rounder (Denver's in 2006 unprotected).

He also fucked up by drafting some big dumb ass to play C.

He hired Sam Mitchell as coach, too.

Other than these 3 moves what has he done wrong?

IMO they fired the wrong guy. Sam Mitchell should have been fired long ago and after Kobe's little exhibition it should have been a no-brainer.

Babcock traded the "troubled" Rafer Alston for Mike James. James has kicked ass for them this season.

Before that he drafted Charlie V, Graham, Ukic and some other Euro. All of those guys have a shot at being contributors in the league.

He has them in a position to have plenty of cap space in the 2007 off-season and between now and then they'd have added at least 3 first round picks.

That's what rebuilding is all about - young talent, cap space and draft picks.

Babcock did his job and did it pretty well IMO.

Whoever runs their franchise (Peddie is his last name) needs to be kicked in the head for making this stupid move.

I wonder if not being able to trade Jalen, to get his contract off the books, had anything to do with this?

I guess we'll know if Jalen gets dealt in the near future.

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/weblog/


Hammond Toronto-bound?

Don't be surprised if the Toronto Raptors try to snatch up John Hammond, Detroit's vice president of basketball operations, to replace Rob Babcock, who was fired on Thursday, as their new GM (and possible team president?).

They had a LOT of interest in Hammond when the job was open before, but he wasn't all that interested in it at the time. While they are struggling now, they do have some nice young pieces (Bosh and Villanueva) that, to some degree, make it a more attractive job.

Because of that, it would only make sense for them to try and see if Hammond has had a change of heart.

The Raptors know they can't screw this hire up like they did with Babcock, so they know they have to find someone who has some type of proven track record who has a clue about putting together winning teams.

Hammond has been the No. 2 guy with a Pistons franchise that has made one shrewd move after another, helping catapult the Pistons into one of the NBA's premier teams without breaking the bank to do so.

He's a smart guy, sharp, and well respected by front-office execs across the league, as well as players.

Guys like that, sooner or later, are going to get an opportunity to run their own franchise.

And Hammond, to his credit, is smart enough to know what jobs are worth considering, and which ones to sprint away from (Portland).

This guy deserves a shot at running his own team, and if the Raptors are serious about throwing in the title of team president, well, then that just might be enough to convince Hammond to leave Detroit.

Zeke apparently asked for the Denver first round pick in the Penny/Jalen trade.

I wouldn't do that deal either.

I honestly don't know who is gonna take this job. They have no fucking idea how to run a team up there.

Hammond was offered it before and turned it down. I doubt he wants to jump in now and work for Peddie and Embry looking over his shoulder.

Babcock did a very good job IMO. After Jalen came off the books they were ready to make a move.

2007 Off-Season:

Jalen comes off the books. So does Mo Pete and Bonner.

Between now and then all the other shit comes off the books as well.

The following would be locked in to cheap rookie contracts:

Charlie V, Graham, Jose, Ukic, Araujo and their own pick in 2006 and 2007 PLUS the Denver pick from 2006.

Assume Bosh gets the MAX and they don't re-sign Mike James (or sign anyone else significant between now and then)

That's 9 young guys on the roster and approx $20 million in cap space!!!

So in 2 years time they were looking at a stacked team if they played their cards right. This is what Babcock was trying to do and he did it.

BTW, how the fuck is Toronto more attractive to Hammond now than it was then?

They had Vince Carter the last time they approached him.

If he does go there I hope he takes Peddie down.

According to decent Raptor fans Peddie is a serious fuck up.

LOL@The Star

Most of these are completely unrealistic.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1138315820044&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064


High-profile candidates out there

Jan. 27, 2006. 01:00 AM


A look at some of the potential candidates for the vacant Raptor general manager job:

Rod Thorn, New Jersey
Made discreet enquiries before Babcock was hired, could he be lured north? Biggest name out there.

Keke Vandeweghe, Denver
Has experience in rebuilding and tenure with Nuggets is tenuous after this year.

R.C. Buford, San Antonio
If the Spurs win another title, perhaps one of the best judges of talent and cap management could be convinced to move.

Donnie Nelson, Dallas
The son, not the dad; he might be ready to make a move away from Mark Cuban and the Mavericks.

Geoff Petrie, Sacramento
If things go sour with Kings — after Artest trade, that's a possibility — highly regarded GM may be looking to move.

Ed Stefanski, New Jersey
Thorn's right-hand man might not be a big enough name to carry title of president as well.

Larry Brown, New York
Things aren't going so well with Knicks; he toyed with Cavaliers' president job last spring.

John Hammond, Detroit
Didn't even get an interview last time and should have; well-respected lieutenant of Joe Dumars.

John Gabriel, Portland
He's now scouting but has track record as a general manager in Orlando, will want the job but may not be big enough.

Julius Erving, unattached
Why not? Maybe he could get Vince Carter back and motivated.

Isn't it Kiki?

Ed Stefanski, New Jersey? The most likely after Kiki on the entire list.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

They picked the best gms in the league. I can see Julius Erving and Kiki but everyone else is pretty much a NO.

I'm certain that Dumars is going to move to a higher position in a couple years and Hammond will be the GM.

UncleCliffy's source is saying that Hammond told the Raptor's that he isn't interested.

Please note that this isn't the cousin that broke the Flip coming to Detroit in early June.

Due to a confidentialy agreement signed by myself, I will not disclose the source.

UncleCliffy's source is saying that Hammond told the Raptor's that he isn't interested.

Please note that this isn't the cousin that broke the Flip coming to Detroit in early June.

Due to a confidentialy agreement signed by myself, I will not disclose the source.

I see where you are going with this, and I like it.

I see where you are going with it and I don't like it.

It's not needed IMO and is a little childish.

But do what you want.

We're all here to do what we're all here to do.

So do your thang UC

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/SPORTS0102/601310355/1127


Hammond won't head to Raptors

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Burning questions as the NBA hits the midseason point:

Q . Now that Toronto has fired general manager Rob Babcock, do you think it will make another pitch for John Hammond, vice president of basketball for the Pistons?

A . The Raptors might pitch, but Hammond isn't going to catch. The Raptors were interested in Hammond before they hired Babcock, or at least pretended to be. They told him he was a leading candidate, then interviewed a series of candidates with far fewer credentials than Hammond.

It was an insulting thing to do to a guy who had helped build the 2004 Pistons championship team.

But that's not the only reason Hammond politely will decline any overtures from the Raptors. First, he's extremely happy and secure. Second, the Raptors are always going to be the "B" franchise to the Maple Leafs in Toronto.

If Hammond is ever to move, and he does deserve a shot to run his own team, it will be to a place where he will have a fair chance to succeed.

Um, a fair chance to succeed would be in Toronto under certain circumstances.

Chris Bosh, Charlie Villanueva, Joey Graham, Roko-Leni Ukic, Jose Calderon plus 2 first rounders in 2006 and some other Euro guy (forgot his name) is a nice base of talent.

If that pick guy Araujo (whatshisname?) can improve and be a reasonable rotation player than that makes 9 young guys to build with.

IF they traded Jalen Rose for an expiring contract (Penny Hardaway?) at the deadline they'd also have a lot of cap space this off-season to fill out their roster.

I just don't see Hammond going for it unless he has total control of the team. No Peddie, no Embry, no one else looking over his shoulder.

IF he could get that (and if Jalen was moved) he has a better than "fair" chance at succeeding in Toronto.

All it would take is ONE good Draft, ONE capable free agent signed and a new coach.

Fuck, 95% of this board could get that done.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/SPORTS0102/601310355/1127


Hammond won't head to Raptors

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Burning questions as the NBA hits the midseason point:

Q . Now that Toronto has fired general manager Rob Babcock, do you think it will make another pitch for John Hammond, vice president of basketball for the Pistons?

A . The Raptors might pitch, but Hammond isn't going to catch. The Raptors were interested in Hammond before they hired Babcock, or at least pretended to be. They told him he was a leading candidate, then interviewed a series of candidates with far fewer credentials than Hammond.

It was an insulting thing to do to a guy who had helped build the 2004 Pistons championship team.

But that's not the only reason Hammond politely will decline any overtures from the Raptors. First, he's extremely happy and secure. Second, the Raptors are always going to be the "B" franchise to the Maple Leafs in Toronto.

If Hammond is ever to move, and he does deserve a shot to run his own team, it will be to a place where he will have a fair chance to succeed.

Did I break the news again? My sources are ON FIRE.

UC - GD posted that already on Page 2.

Swat your post

I replied to it. I'm just giving myself a pat on the back for beating McCoskey to the punch AGAIN.