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Toronto Raptors: The Center of their failures

By Jason Mills

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Alex Len #25 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 25, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Alex Len #25 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 25, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Glen Grundwald’s 2001 grand move backfires

Hakeem Olajuwon, Raptors
14 Nov 2001: Center Hakeem Olajuwon #34 of the Toronto Raptors Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images /

Grunwald then reassembled the cast of characters that created a successful 47-35 season in 2000-01 by re-signing  Vince Carter, Jerome Williams, Antonio Davis, and Alvin Williams. However, realizing that Davis excelled as an undersized power forward playing center, Grunwald had a grand plan to put the Toronto Raptors franchise over the top in 2001-02.

Grunwald sent a first and second-round pick to the Houston Rockets to make the dream of moving the Raptors into elite status for the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon. Olajuwon would eventually become a Hall-of-Fame center, but Grunwald’s grand plan came at the wrong time. “The Dream” had managed to play only 199 games the previous four seasons and was 38 years old when the Raptors’ general manager signed off on this trade.

Olajuwon would play 61 regular-season games in his final year for Toronto in 2001-02, averaging just 7.1 points a game despite playing in all five 2002 playoff games against Detroit, a series Toronto would lose. Grunwald’s dream turned into a nightmare in less than a season.

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