Trash-talk Toronto Raptors: Ringless Valanciunas, Wright and Miles
Front Office of the Toronto Raptors: “But do those guys really deserve rings? They were only here half the season…”
The news broke quickly on Monday from the Toronto Sun that Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, and C.J. Miles would not be getting championship rings from the Toronto Raptors.
As the general manager, Bobby Webster put it:
"“We did our homework, we talked to teams and I think — I don’t remember — there was maybe one scenario where a team offered one.”"
Needless to say, the media and fans alike weren’t too thrilled with the decision:
To clarify, because some people have reading comprehension issues: If the team didn't think JV & Co. deserved rings because they weren't on the championship-winning roster, technically neither was Loyd. Not suggesting none of them should get rings, I'm saying all of them should.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 17, 2019
Even our own, Thomas Valentine, figured that the Toronto Raptors dropped the ball on this one.
Almost as quickly as the news broke, Jonas Valanciunas was interviewed on the matter:
"It's their decision"
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) November 18, 2019
Jonas Valanciunas had some words after receiving the news that he won't get a ring. pic.twitter.com/UVVLvGEryG
While Valanciunas carefully chose his words and smiled bleakly, it’s not hard to read into his body language; he’s not happy about it. I suppose, however, that making a kerfuffle about the whole ordeal probably would have taken away from his new team, the Memphis Grizzlies.
Be that as it may, it’s hard to uncover why the Toronto Raptors would have taken this route even if the history all pointed towards not giving the traded players rings. To say that those three weren’t integral to the championship run takes away their value as players as they helped land the final piece to the puzzle in Marc Gasol.
Moreover, as Lewenberg pointed out, Jordan Loyd received a ring, yet he wasn’t eligible to play in the playoffs. I point this out because it seems that the only logical argument for why they don’t deserve rings is that they didn’t contribute to the title by playing in the playoffs. But, if we’re handing out rings to people who are sitting on the sidelines in suits, then doesn’t that seem a bit baffling?
Furthermore, if the team is going to hand out a ring to Drake — who insufferably drafted his own, independent championship ring — then shouldn’t we at least be more considerate to the players that played on the team for half of a season?
Realistically, they should have put it towards a team vote; the players have a right to decide who does and does not deserve a ring. After all, they are the people who won the freakin’ thing, right?
To be honest, the whole thing leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, which is unfortunate given that the Toronto Raptors as an organization usually run a tight ship that leaves other franchises envious. To say that they botched this is entirely too lenient; they should have had the foresight to understand the blowback from fans and the media.
Needless to say, they shouldn’t have behaved like the 29 other teams in the NBA. Because, like last season, they proved that they were better than the other 29 teams in the NBA.