Okay, back at it. I'm still getting through the off-season portion of reader mail for the This is Not a Mailbag™. I'll get at it in a second, but it's worth making note of a couple of links that were brought to my attention:

T.J. Ford to Miami (thanks to Vincent)?  There's a rumour for you. But before anyone gets too excited, who on that roster helps the Raptors? And do you really want to spend $17-million on Shawn Marion?

I'm more interested in this nugget (thanks to Mary):

The Raptors are frustrated and out of answers with regard to ANDREA BARGNANI, who was a no-show (6.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg) in the first-round loss to Orlando. Truth is, there wasn't a time this year when the kid didn't look physically and mentally exhausted. Still, the potential is tantalizing if he has the right mentor (such as, say, the Nets' KIKI VANDEWEGHE). So let's throw this out there: Bargnani and expiring contracts (JOEY GRAHAM, JORGE GARBAJOSA) for RICHARD JEFFERSON, who would be the perfect wing-walker for the point guard tandem in Toronto and an ideal No. 2 option playing off CHRIS BOSH. Just one snag: "If they traded me within the division, I'd kill them four times a year," RJ says. "But yeah, (Raptors GM BRYAN) COLANGELO has watched me since high school."

You know, this is one of those deals that makes me think: why exactly would the Nets want to do this? Dave D'Allesandro is no fool though, so we'll give it a whirl: The Raptors would be INSANE not to do this deal if there was even a germ of a chance, which I suspect there isn't. A proven wing who scores, defends, gets to the free throw line and is 27 years old with only three years left on his contract -- Oh, and he's been to the NBA Finals twice -- for a 22-year-old project who just grabbed seven rebounds in five playoff games.

There is no way Rod Thorne is that stupid. (I wonder if Jefferson realized that he was about to mentioned in a rumour that included him being moved for Andrea Bargnani and Joey Graham. If he knew my concern would be that he didn't punch anyone in the face.)

Anyway, on to the TNM.

I'm intolerant towards ignorance, and unbalanced opinions. I can barely consume media anymore for fear that I will be overwhelmed by the loud, one-way dialogue, leaving me unable to counter. So I ask you be cognizant of us. Be cognizant of the moderates who seek more than the quick-fix, overly-critical, unbalanced perspective. As for the rest of raptorland, if they fail to see this team is competitive and intent on improving then I ask the organization to save me from raptorland, take a page from Clay, and relocate.
KB

Okay. All of you should know that KB's email was 1,330 words. Safe to say, he covered a lot of ground. But if I were to distill his thoughts to one theme – always  dangerous, but hey, I do it for a living – it's that much of the Raptorsland angst about Ford-Calderon, Bargnani, Mitchell or whatever is the product of over-hyped fan expectations, flamed by knee-jerk, immoderate media coverage.

And you know what? He's right. Rationally the only way to look at this whole package is to take a step back and say, all together, “we'll see what happens when it happens.”

Is trading Ford the right move? We'll see. Is a patient approach with Bargnani the right path? We'll see. Is Mitchell an asset or an anvil? We'll see. Does Colangelo have the vision to keep this team moving ahead? Or is wheel-spinning going to be a long-term trend?

This is always the only safe answer. Are your kids going to be okay? We'll see. Did you pick the right major at university? We'll see. Are you buying the right car? We'll see.

But being a fan isn't about being patient and rational and waiting for everything to be okay. It's about hoping, wanting, dreaming, believing and expecting things to work out for the best, and despairing when it's not clear they will.

Moreover management is supposed have a clear idea and plan to ensure that things will work out for the best. And they sell tickets on that basis.

One reason for the Raptors-land angst is that no one in the Raptors hierarchy was projecting a 41-win season and a sixth seed and a near sweep in the first round. The team was widely billed as an improvement. Jason Kapono was an expensive player signed to be a significant piece. Team depth was better. Maceo Baston was going to add athleticism and rebounding to the front court. Bargnani was going to continue to improve. Fifty wins was an internal goal, even if no one publicly mentioned a number.

None of those things happened.  And with big steps made this season by Boston, Atlanta, Philly, and Orlando, the Raptors appear to have taken a step back, not only measured against themselves, but against their competition.

The media's job is to try and explain why and how that happened. When a top free agent signing becomes a near forgotten role player or when T.J. Ford seems to be the source of significant chemistry problems or a No.1 pick has a miserable second season I don't think it's knee-jerk to point that out and try to offer reasons why. And if there is a gap between those reasons and management's reasoning, point that out too.

KB, you are welcome to tune out and wait, with a Zen-like calm, for everything to work out. But 1,330 words say you're having a hard time with that.

Hi.  Enjoy your impending vacation... well deserved.  Always enjoy your stuff.

If I was Colangelo (which I am not) here is what I would do: 

1. Keep Sam... he doesn't deserve to be fired yet... if next Christmas he is 5 games under 500, then maybe fire him.

2. Resign Calderon is the obvious one. Delfino would be signed if the price is right.

3. Trade TJ and Rasho (16 Million) to the Clippers for the right to sign Corey Maggette and maybe someone else ... and if not him, someone of that stature.    They need a stud who can defend and get to the hoop
at will!!  Clippers seem logical to me because they don't have a good PG, and then Rasho could be their 3rd big after Kaman & Brand.

thanks for listening.
mark
london, on.

Mark, thanks for you're note. In order:

1. It's pretty clear Sam will be kept, unless somehow Donnie Walsh – for example – asks Colangelo for permission to talk to Sam about the Knicks job; Sam listens and Walsh offers it to him and Sam is willing to reduce his buyout to get out of his current deal. That is mucho ifs. And Colangelo said last week that Walsh has not called. It's probably not worth noting that he's not said that he wouldn't grant permission, but consider it noted. As for next season, it depends. If the Raptors make some significant roster upgrades and struggle, or if Bargnani and Sam are perceived a bad mix or if Bosh questions lineups and game plans, an in-season move is a lock.

2. Calderon, yes. But if they make an upgrade at SF, then someone has to go out of Delfino, Parker and Kapono and Moon.

3. Many calls for Maggette because he is the slashing, foul-generating scorer that would seem to be the missing link in the Raptors offensive puzzle, and the Clips are used to fragile point guards. A word of caution: One insider I spoke with used Joey Graham and Maggette in the same sentence as far as basketball IQ.  Think about that.

Can it happen? The deal mentioned above just might work, but it implies that Maggette is a max or near-max player, and pretty much sucks up your salary cap flexibility for the next few years. This on a guy who came off the bench when the Clippers finally put together a decent season, gets hurt plenty and relies heavily on athleticism at age 29 and is nentering his 10th NBA season. Hmmm.

My five things:

1) The small forward position is problematic. Either Kapono was asleep, schlepping or poorly used all year. Delfino is the Raptors' Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. And while Moon had some great defensive actions, his scoring isn't reliable. Someone or everyone needs to go. I'm guessing it won't be Moon.

2) I hope to God there's a clock on how long the Bargnani-ineptness tango continues. I don't want to see him traded only to catch fire with another team, but there has to be a limit.

3) I would prefer to keep Calderon in the city, but his own admission that he wants to win makes me wonder if he will push to be traded to a starting position somewhere else. I don't think anyone banks on this team as a contender.

4) Either Bosh needs a reliable scoring buddy or he can never--ever--back down in the face of the league's Dwight Howards. Guess which option I think is more likely.

5) Garbo needs to come back healthy. (Please.)

I will be really sad to see Mitchell, Parker or Calderon go. They are classy dudes (at least the side fans see--even Mitchell's grousing with you journos shows spirit and sense). But for all Colangelo was making nice, I think he might dump people left and right if the opportunity presents itself.

Ellie

PS -- It would be nice to see a decline in the use of homophobic and sexist cliches in fan blogs. But that's about as likely as the Heat being championship contenders next year.

Thanks Ellie.

1. Yes their will be changes at the SF spot; the only reason Moon isn't back is that someone insists on having someone that cheap and that productive included in a deal. He's got some holes in his game, but improved over the year and those defensive actions – he makes plays, simple as that -- are hard to find at any price

2. The Bargnani clock. I like the idea. I think we'll have a pretty good idea by next Christmas if he's got as much upside as everyone wants to believe he does.

3. Interesting point regarding Calderon. There's a presumption that he only wants to play here, but that's probably not a wise one to make. He's already made the leap from Spain to North America; there's nothing to stop him from going from Toronto to any other city in the NBA – other than the Raptors intention to match all offers.

4. I don't think backing down is the issue; Howard throws people down by accident. But I think Jack Armstrong made the point: You don't think Bosh would be served nicely playing with Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu? He needs help.

5. You know, this whole cult of Garbo thing is kind of rich. I'm a fan of ‘glue-players' as much as the next guy, and Garbo is that guy. But it's worth pointing out that he shot 42 per cent from the field and grabbed less than one offensive rebound a game. Yes he's a good and willing passer; and a tough, savvy team defender. But how can a good team have him, Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker in your top six? Who scores? Who gets to the basket? Garbo has become a catch-all explanation for all that ails this team, and I'm not buying it. And if he was so, so important – why did they let him play for Spain last summer?

PS1: Yes, all classy, fun guys in their own ways who would be missed. And yes, Colangelo would make moves on any of them in a heart beat.

PS2: Agreed on both counts; though I'm not saying I've never uttered the odd impolitic comment myself. Nothing to be proud of, however.

I've heard some pundits claim that much of what the Raps lacked this season and in the playoffs is already on their roster in the form of Garbajosa.  It seems implausible to me that he could have been the difference in the series with the Magic, or the regular season, considering the injuries the team suffered and regression of Bargnani.  Nevertheless, what sort of impact do you foresee him in his return to active duty next season?  Should he be able to recover enough to be a dependable starter in the NBA, or should Colangelo be looking elsewhere for their much needed inside muscle?
--Andrew Willis

Thanks Andrew. I'll refer you to point No. 5 above and add the following thought: Even if Garbo does come back healthy I – like you, I sense – doubt if he's going to fix the Raptors problems. He might even add to them. If the Raptors upgrade the SF spot Garbo won't start there. Is there room for him to start at PF if Bargnani does improve enough to start at centre? Of course not, that's Bosh's spot. And how much of a glue guy will Garbo be coming off the bench? He's never had to do it in his career, and it wasn't like he was the happiest camper this season when it appeared his role was going to be diminished – this is when he was losing minutes to Kris Humphries, remember, at a stage when he was claiming his leg was perfect.