February 28, 2006

PEDDIE IS THE RAPTORS VERSION OF THE UNATTRACTIVE TROPHY WIFE

      I’ve worked in businesses, several I might add, where executives, their knowledge severely limited by being so far away from the daily operations, would, on one of their irregular visits, offer his viewpoint on how to run the business better.  And, being a political animal, I would nod in agreement as I listened to the asinine opinion, and then I would proceed to placate the individual by insisting that the idea would immediately be put into play.  I seriously doubt whether I am alone in enduring such an experience. 

       Why am I talking about this subject matter?  Because I’m sure that’s how most, if not all, of the basketball executives that have been employed by the Toronto Raptors have felt when Richard Peddie walked into their office and wanted to talk about the game and the team.  I can almost hear the heavy sigh escaping their lips as their boss offered his opinion.  (I wonder if the same feelings overwhelm Pat Quinn and John Ferguson on the hockey side?) 

       Now, don’t get me wrong, I certainly appreciate the job Peddie must do on the business side of things for MLSE, and I am not one of those who believe that the betterment of the franchise would only come after Peddie’s departure.  However, I certainly believe that Peddie needs to stay out of the locker room, stay out of the basketball management office (unless he’s invited) and stay out of the basketball operation.  When Kevin O’Neill resigned as head coach two years ago he took some very serious shots at someone in the Raptor organization who did not know the game but still insisted on offering his opinion.  It is obvious whom O’Neill was talking about.  Every time one of those draft shows showed up on television there was Peddie, front and center, in the war room discussing players and offering his insight.  He’s like the little kid that can’t stop playing with his favourite toy.

       Now that the Raptors have made the major move to bring in a qualified, experienced executive to run the basketball side of the organization here’s hoping that Peddie gives the man enough room to breathe.  The last thing Bryan Colangelo needs is to have some guy, with a little brother complex, hanging around because it’s cool to be with the big boys.  Peddie insists that the executives running both sports organizations have complete autonomy to make sports related decisions.  Of course that calls into play one’s definition of autonomy. 

       It should mean that Peddie, fronting the business side of the board, is informed of decisions made by the sports management team just before the move is made.  I just don’t think that is the way things have taken place up until now.  I get the feeling that Peddie needs to be informed every step of the way.

       “Hey, Richard, I’m thinking about drafting so and so.”

       “Okay, I’ll get back to you after I check out his stats on the internet.”

        I doubt whether Colangelo would stand for that.  I’m sure that was a major reason for his leaving Phoenix—a new owner that wanted to be involved in every decision.  A successful man cannot operate with some one else hovering over his shoulder—like a vulture, and I hope that Colangelo has enough smarts to politely listen to Peddie’s opinion and then shake his head when the CEO leaves his office. 

       Remember Richard, the reason you’re paying three mill a season for this guy is because you trust him to make the right moves.  Stop being that particular executive people can’t wait to leave when he visits.