By Craig Blair
 

Swept 3-zip at the hands of the New York Knicks, the controversy surrounding Butch Carter, the vocal complaints of veterans - it might seem as though the Raptors season has been one of negativity, failure and something less then stellar to the unaware outsider. The fact of the matter is the Raptors posted a 45-37 record, was the sixth seed in its first ever playoff appearance, averaged over 18,500 fans per game and shook up this once hockey-dominated town with the aptly coined “Purple Fever”.

 There are some problems with the franchise that have reared their ugly head in the past 6 weeks, but contrary to the opinion of the folks at NBC and ESPN, this, in fact, is a good thing. The reality that the team was near imploding takes away any false sense of security the organization may have had about it’s future. The same sort of thing happened last year when the Raptors were 18-14 and catching NBA and basketball fans off guard with what looked like a trip to the postseason, but the team crumpled down the stretch and showed that they needed to make drastic improvements to personnel. Every championship team must go through tough losses, some controversy and growing pains to achieve the ultimate goal.
 

What to do now

This off-season is the most important in the history of this franchise. The re-signing of Tracy McGrady is paramount concern of the MLS (Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, the majority owners.). Larry Tannenbaum, Glen Grunwald, Butch Carter, the fans and most importantly, Vince Carter, will try everything to get this intelligent young man to stay in the city that is truly in love with him. In my opinion, it’s not important where you play, but rather with whom you play. With that being said, I truly believe the young man will be back in Raptor purple. 

The needs of this team are clear: a front-line center, a point guard and a defensive big man. I don’t see Dee Brown being re-signed; Doug Christie will be traded - most likely to Washington. (Both Michael Jordan and advisor Darrell Walker love the off-guard.) Charles Oakley will probably also be traded. I have a strong feeling that Brevin Knight or Anthony Carter will be Raptors by the end of draft day. The Raptors MUST re-sign big man John Thomas; you can’t manufacture work ethic in basketball players. Aleksander Radojevic is a project for Toronto but will definitely get playing time in ‘00-’01. Michael Stewart will probably also be sent somewhere else, as he has a Western Conference style game. I look for him to land in Minnesota or back in Sacramento. Muggsy Bogues is also a free agent, and I look for the team to give him another year. As for Sean Marks and Alvin Williams? I have no idea what will happen with them. To sum it up, the only untouchable Raptors are Carter, McGrady and Davis. 
 

In Closing

My biggest wish in life is to have the American media shut the hell up about Toronto and Canada and anything else they feel is a foreign invasion. The Raptors have proven that a Canadian team can succeed in the NBA. David Stern WANTS Vince Carter to be a Raptor forever. Tracy McGrady will be back and Peter Vecsey's opinions are beyond stupid. Can’t we all just get along? I thought the point of pro sports was to bring people from different cultures, races, sexual and religious differences together for entertainment, drama and fun. Clearly, members of the American media and public feel threatened. I feel sorry for those people. 

Oh Canada, Oh Toronto, Come back T-Mac, Good luck to all the fans and teams remaining in the 1999-2000 NBA playoffs.
 
 

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5/4/2000
 

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