http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1773297 The Toronto Raptors took the first step in what has already become a nasty front office rebuilding project by firing general manager Glen Grunwald, sources told ESPN today. Jack McCloskey, former GM of the Pistons, will serve as Toronto's interim GM. The Raptors will announce the move at an afternoon news conference. Grunwald, who has served as GM of the Raptors for the past seven seasons, has come under increasing fire for the Raptors' lackluster performances the last two seasons. The team has been riddled with injuries for the second consecutive year, but critics claim that Grunwald's plan has been flawed. After trading Antonio Davis to the Bulls in December, the Raptors have played without a true center all year. Coach Kevin O'Neill has publicly complained about the team's lack of depth or a big man and Grunwald's job has been in jeopardy ever since. The Raptors are 30-44, 11th in the Eastern Conference. At times it has appeared that both Grunwald and O'Neill's jobs have been in danger. Team president Richard Peddie addressed O'Neill and Grunwald's status on Sunday and it didn't sound good. "I think Kevin's done a really good job this year," Peddie told reporters. "Our defensive stats are terrific, our record's better. We're not winning enough but we'll look at Kevin along with everyone else in the offseason. But I don't think friction (with a boss) does anyone in." "Kevin we're judging on one year, Glen we've got to judge on the seven years that he's been general manager and that's something that I'll be doing. Weighing all the aspects, from trades to free agents, the draft, selection of coaches, etc. Over the years, I think Glen's done a good job but it's a decision we have to make in the near term."
I'll never forgive the guy for the way he handled the Damon Stoudamire trade to the Rockets. For those who don't remember, the Raptors and Rockets had an agreement on the table, and when the story leaked... other teams persuaded this guy to back out of the offer, saying they could get better. Teams weren't only doing this to try to get Damon... they also wanted to prevent a DANGEROUS Rockets team of Hakeem, Clyde, and Charles from getting the only piece they'd need to be a very formidable team in the playoffs (which they were anyways, as they almost beat the #1 seeded Jazz). The guy showed no professionalism, and ended up getting a raw deal anyways. Kevin O'Neil is too good of a coach to be let go over this waste of a GM anyways.
Grunwald always seemed to have a hard-on for Rockets players. That Stoudamire trade would've sent Elie, Willis, Rhodes, and others there. Willis eventually wound up there the following season. He tried to get Olajuwon twice and got him too. Probably others I'm missing. b*stard.
Who were the players going in each direction? BTW - O'Neill can coach but is apparently a terrible leader.
The gist of it was: Kevin Willis, Mario Elie, and Rodrick Rhodes for Damon Stoudamire and Walt Williams Matt Maloney, Brent Price, and draft picks may have been involved. My memories fuzzy. One thing that does stand out though, is that Rodrick Rhodes was allegedly the deal-breaker, and the Rockets weren't willing to part with him (this was back when he was stripping Michael Jordan and getting a couple of coast-to-coast dunks every game). Eh. Stoudamire may have gotten us over the hump that year (IF Barkley didn't go down), but we wouldn't have ever landed Francis or Yao Ming. The deal breaking did seem to affect the play and morale of Willis and Elie though, who both left after the season.
According to the Toronto Star, looks like they're salivating over Rudy for next season. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=hou
