RAPTORS FIRE BABCOCK

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

Raptors fire Rob Babcock as general manager
 
January 26, 2006

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Raptors fired general manager Rob Babcock on Thursday -- just a year and a half after he was hired.

Team president and CEO Richard Peddie made the announcement a day after Toronto was routed 104-88 by the Chicago Bulls, leaving the Raptors with a 14-29 record -- fourth-worst in the league. Wayne Embry, Peddie's senior basketball advisor, will take over for Babcock on an interim basis.

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"We recognize Rob's efforts to clear cap space and bring in young talent, but it's time to bring in someone with proven experience as an NBA general manager to take us to the next level," Peddie said in a statement. "In fairness to Rob, once we knew a change was necessary, we didn't think it was right to have him continue."

Babcock made many questionable moves during his brief tenure, including receiving little in return when he traded All-Star Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets last season. His first round draft pick in the 2004 draft -- center Rafael Araujo -- has been a bust.

"I'm disappointed that Rob was the wrong choice for us," Peddie said. "In hindsight, we should have gone with someone more proven."

Attendance at the Air Canada Centre has also plummeted as fans have become fed up with the Raptors' play.



Updated on Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 2:39 pm EST

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=At4_ePinbvtkulccGgojZZM5nYcB?slug=ap-raptors-babcockfired&prov=ap&type=lgns

itz about damn tyme.
 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

It's Peddie that needs to be fired from anything envolved with the raptors organzization.
How do you fire a president/CEO?

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Sucks for him, he didn't really have much to work with in the beginning...

[PLANT]

Rob Babcock Relieved of Duties


(January 26, 2006) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday that General Manager Rob Babcock has been relieved of his duties effective immediately. Wayne Embry, senior basketball advisor to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President Richard Peddie, has been named Interim General Manager.
 

Wayne Embry takes over on an interim basis. (Ron Turenne/NBAE/Getty Images)
“This was a tough decision, but one that we feel is in our best long-term interests,” Peddie said in making the announcement. “We recognize Rob’s efforts to clear cap space and bring in young talent, but it’s time to bring in someone with proven NBA experience to take us to the next level. In fairness to Rob, once we knew a change was necessary, we didn’t think it was right to have him continue. And from a team perspective, making this move today better positions us as we look toward the trade deadline and then the draft this spring. We also feel that in moving Wayne into the role of general manager on an interim basis we will be better able to develop Sam Mitchell’s growth toward being a very good NBA coach during the second half of the season.

“As with a coach, a general manager is evaluated in large part by the results of his decisions,” Peddie added. “Unfortunately, while some progress has been made recently, those results have not met our expectations. We have plans in place that we believe will lead us into the playoffs in the near future, and enable us to compete for an NBA championship down the road. We will begin our search for a general manager, perhaps one who has the experience to serve as team president, who has the skills to build that winning team and deliver the results we expect.”

Babcock assumed his first NBA general manager position when he was named to that post by the Raptors on June 7, 2004. He came to Toronto following 12 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves that included the final two as the club’s vice president of player personnel.

Embry’s Hall of Fame NBA career spans 40 years as a player and front office executive. He was named general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks in 1972 and led that franchise to four postseason appearances, including a trip to the 1974 NBA Finals, in his eight seasons there. From 1985-92 Embry served as vice president and general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He moved to an executive vice president position with the club from 1992-94, and in 1994 was named team president and chief operating officer. Embry earned The Sporting News Executive of the Year honours in 1992 and 1998, and was named Sports Illustrated’s Executive of the Year in 1998.

“Wayne has the leadership qualities and league-wide credibility that we need to get to the next level,” Peddie said. “He has the full powers of a general manager. Included within his mandate to manage our team roster and player development, and to further develop Sam, Wayne’s advice will be sought in the hiring of the next general manager.”

[PLANT]

Sucks for him, he didn't really have much to work with in the beginning...

he had Vince Carter, Chris Bosh Jalen Rose, Alvin Williams, Donyell Marshall ect.........If thats not having much to work with, then I dont know what is

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Sucks for him, he didn't really have much to work with in the beginning...

he had Vince Carter, Chris Bosh Jalen Rose, Alvin Williams, Donyell Marshall ect.........If thats not having much to work with, then I dont know what is

LOL...All of them wanted out of Toronto even before Babcock...Sucks for him, he was placed in a shit-hole. Only someone like Jerry West can save them, and face it, there aren't many Jerry West's in this league...PeAcE

[Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It]

When you allow a player to score 81 points someone has to get fired/ traded (J.Rose) 

"wass up PLANT" 

[J Bananas]

that sucks babcock

[Maniac Marxxx]

Its about time!!!!!!! If some 1 drops 81 on your team, u dont desearve 2 step on NBA court, he shouldnt even b able 2 by a ticket 2 a game! He shouldnt even be aloud to watch it on T.V.!!! Kobe or not, no player should be droppin 81 on a team. He could have triple teamed kobe, then he would have passed to the rest of the lakers who wasnt shooting well in that game and maybe they would have had a chance.

[King Tech Quadafi]

Sucks for him, he didn't really have much to work with in the beginning...

he had Vince Carter, Chris Bosh Jalen Rose, Alvin Williams, Donyell Marshall ect.........If thats not having much to work with, then I dont know what is

LOL...All of them wanted out of Toronto even before Babcock...Sucks for him, he was placed in a shit-hole. Only someone like Jerry West can save them, and face it, there aren't many Jerry West's in this league...PeAcE

shut up man....only jerry west can save em lol

if we didnt start the yearoff like a fuckin WNBA team we would be like 4th seed