Rob Babcock, general manager of the Toronto Raptors, was recently quoted in the Toronto Sun as saying, “I think if you look at us on paper, we probably will not win as many games as last year.”

For those in the know, that quote wasn?t anything but an admission on reality. For the media that would rather cover hockey and the fair-weather fans they influence, it was a shocking and damning statement.

It certainly didn?t help matters that the Toronto Sun decided to run with the salacious title, ?We?ve got no chance,? despite the fact that at no point during the article did Babcock utter those words.

Within hours, Raptors? fans were calling for Babcock?s head on radio call-in shows. Bob McCown, an incessantly annoyed broadcaster for the FAN 590, fielded many of those calls and, to my surprise, agreed full-heartedly and continued to rip the Raps? GM.

I?m by no means a member of the Rob Babcock fan club (should such a thing even exist), but this issue needs to be laid to rest. Babcock admitted to the obvious reality of the Raptors? current situation. Does that warrant all this attention?

The Raptors have six players with a combined 3 years of NBA experience slated to play heavy minutes this season: Rafael Araujo, Pop Sow, Matt Bonner, Joey Graham, Charlie Villanueva and Jose Calderon.

Knowing the roster is full of inexperienced players and aging malcontents, you don?t have to be a brain surgeon to understand the team might not surpass last season?s win total? which, in itself, is a reason some might get on Babcock?s case (should you ignore the fact that he?s still in the process of cleaning up the mess former GM Glen Grunwald left behind).

A major concern voiced by a lot of broadcasters has been how this might affect ticket sales. It?s accurate to say that those comments certainly won?t help sell tickets, but what?s the alternative? Should Babcock lie and promise a winning team in order to pad season ticket sales? I personally believe the team?s on-court performance will be the deciding factor in how fans spend their money.

This defence of Babcock?s comments is in no way a defence for his entire campaign as Raptors? GM.

The Vince Carter trade was a difficult situation. Babcock had a talented player, when motivated, but a player who was constantly injured and went to the media with his desire to be traded. In situations like that, trades often look lop-sided. Babcock did, however, receive some decent picks in the trade?so when it?s all said and done, it might not look that bad.

The only real blunders on Babcock?s record are not trading Donyell Marshall at last year?s trade deadline and the drafting of Rafael Araujo.

Araujo might turn into a serviceable back-up centre, but that?s not enough for an eight overall pick. I recall a conversation with Bill Harris, a columnist with the Sun, early into Araujo?s rookie season. Harris noted that a best case scenario for Araujo might be playing a role similar to former Raptor Eric Montross. At the time, I was still hopeful Araujo could adjust to the NBA game and work himself into a double-double player in a few years? now that assessment is looking more and more accurate.

Even with those roster mistakes and his controversial comments, Babcock has made positive strides in turning this team around. The Raptors aren?t going to turn into a playoff contender overnight?that?s a reality we should all start getting used to.






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