Who the Heck Is Driving This Bus?

It's 8:30pm. The Raptors are playing and I'm contemplating. Contemplating whether I should turn off the game or keep watching the train wreck before my eyes. As the season roles on I'm certain there aren't many of us who thought it would start like this. At 7W-13L and a light schedule ahead this team is in disarray. This is the NBA and anytime a team drops 140 points on you and your no where near in it, there is something horribly wrong.

With the tough road schedule at the start, it was obvious it would either make or break team chemistry. We've got 4 losses in a row, players calling each other out and a coach with a failed defensive strategy. The "House" has been ram shackled by almost every NBA team we've faced. The living rooms been taken over. The kitchen's been raided and the toilet has been used and abused.

Who is driving this bus? His name is Bryan Colangelo. The architect of this team. Will he blow it up and reconstruct barely into the quarter of a season? I highly doubt it. He will not give up on his first round pick. He will not give up on his newly acquired big money free agent and he will not give up on his newly appointed coach. Not yet. He admitted to the Jermaine O'Neil mistake and barely found a trade. Struggling through last season if you can recall, it wasn't until after the all-star break we swapped for Shawn Marion. No team will make big trades this early in the season, it's never quite a busy market(the only changes we ever see are coaching changes).

The odd-man out in the group in my mind is Jose Calderon. He hasn't been consistent and he's the only player other than a 4 time all-star that is from the Babcock era. Although he was given an extension, there could very well be something in the works later this year. Do I think it's the best idea? Sure, it depends on the right deal.

If you can remember in the 06/07 season the Raptors struggled in the first quarter. We had a similar situation with a lot of new players. They found their niche and finished 47W-35L. I'm not predicting success but there is a lot of Basketball to be played. Right now everyone is playing for themselves. There is no team when they are struggling. I see them forcing too many shots, getting demoralized and blaming each other. Instead they could be listening, communicating and taking responsibility. As players trying to get used to each other this is a tough moment. It could however bring them to a turning point as a group instead of individuals. They are athletes after all. They have played their whole lives as competitors at different levels to bring them where they are today. Losing in Atlanta they way they did could be a bottom for them. The splash of cold water in the face. This ain't no joke. The fun's over and there is time to make things work. They can be better.

Do we bring in another defensive specialist assistant coach? I'm not sure that would work because the "House" strategy was our best option. It was supposed to play to our strengths and keep players out of the lanes. I think the only wild-card here is Reggie Evans. He's yet to play in a game and his interior toughness has been needed. It doesn't end there. Antoine Wright needs to stop calling people out and realise that he hasn't done anything special. He was preaching defense when he was traded to Toronto but I've yet to see him dominate his man and shut him down. I'd rather he understand that offense is not needed on this team and the only way he gets more than a minimum value contract next year is if he plays sound defense.

The only asset we have right now Is Bosh and there is no way I'd move him. One thing I know for sure is Bryan Colangelo will not sit idle while this team starts to endanger their playoff hopes. Once the playoff picture gets murky I'm looking at the trading wire. Until then, these players are stuck with each other and we fans are stuck with this team.

Cool Hand Luke