Land of the Leaf

Jay Triano hasn’t had an easy job this season after taking over coaching duties from Sam Mitchell.  In front of the media, and on the bench, Triano appears to be as composed as anyone.  His team has been struggling on the court more than any scribe could have envisioned, despite Triano’s calm demeanor.  It’s been 5 straight losses for the lowly Raptors, and they have all but disappeared from front-page and even sports page news.  They’re no longer a team searching for answers, but one just searching for a win as they roll into Philadelphia tonight to take on the 76ers.

On most nights Chris Bosh’s face says what Triano refuses to speak: this team is awful and their wimpy roster doesn’t stack up to even the fairest of foe. Triano keeps on nodding and pointing to the Raptors’ losing ways as some sort of learning experience, although we all know he’s just playing mum on the fact that Bryan Colangelo has failed to give him much to work with.  There’s a good chance that B.C. and Triano will be working together again next season, and with the likely departure of Shawn Marion this off-season, those two will have their hands full trying to assemble and coach a competitive NBA team.

Sam Mitchell was the fall-guy for the team’s struggles earlier this season, but Triano has been applauded in most media circles for the job he’s done.  The only finger pointing left at this point is to the players on the court and to the man in the front office.  Heading into the final leg of the season, somebody has to step-up and take some responsibility.