Raptors fans needn’t fear interfering owner like some teams do

TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 17 - New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) is fouled by Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) as the Toronto Raptors play the New York Knicks at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. November 17, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 17 - New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) is fouled by Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) as the Toronto Raptors play the New York Knicks at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. November 17, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

The Raptors have enjoyed stable, non-interfering ownership since becoming part of MLSE. Fans of the team need to be reminded how useful a low-profile owner is.

Perhaps the most famous example of negative inference in English literature occurs in a Sherlock Holmes story. To paraphrase from the superb “Silver Blaze”, Holmes mentions that the befuddled detectives need to consider the remarkable thing the dog did the night of the murder. When he’s reminded “The dog did nothing in the night”, Holmes replies “That was the remarkable thing.”

The Toronto Raptors have been most fortunate in their ownership situation ever since Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment [MLSE] took control in 1998. Older fans like Yours Truly won’t remember the franchise’s early years of ownership fractiousness with any more affection than we recall watching home games in the Skydome. It was little wonder our little wonder, Damon Stoudamire, wanted to get out of Toronto.

TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes around Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on February 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bucks defeated the Raptors 122-119 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes around Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on February 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bucks defeated the Raptors 122-119 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

We read of the possibility of New York Knicks owner James Dolan possibly preparing the team for sale. NO, don’t do it, James. Whenever the Knicks have a chance to improve their fortunes, Dolan sticks his nose in and pooches whatever his front office has worked on. For the Raptors, we say “thanks” to Dolan for vetoing the trade sending Kyle Lowry to the Big Apple in 2013. Instead, our feisty point guard got to stick around, and we’ve done nothing but win since.

C’mon James – hang on to the Knicks. Your team hasn’t made the Eastern Conference playoffs in five seasons, and they are likely to make it six. If you stick around, chances are your team will be a mess for years to come.

Your people wanted Giannis, but you knew better

Here’s a story about Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban overruling his front office. They wanted to grab Giannis Antetokounmpo with the thirteenth pick of the 2013 draft. Instead the Mavs took Kelly Olynyk and traded him to the Boston Celtics. The Milwaukee Bucks said “Thanks, Mark” and selected the Greek Freak at #15. Cuban took a player he thought so little of that he was moved on Draft night when he could have had Giannis. Nice work, Mark. At least he’s man enough to admit his gaffe.

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Interfering owners who think they know better than the expert basketball people they hire are a disaster for their franchises. Happily, the Raptors haven’t had that burden to lug around. One can scarcely imagine a better way to drive smart people out of your franchise that to decide all their legwork (scouting reports, interviews, film review, background checks) is for naught.

Since Larry Tanenbaum has been the day-to-day money man for the Raptors, he’s kept a bright line between himself and basketball operations. He likes to be informed when big money decisions are in play, but has no role in trades or drafts.

Let’s hope Larry continues to do nothing. It would be a curious (and undesirable) thing if he did.