Strange decisions

Too often in pro basketball, size matters. "Take the big man, he'll make us unbeatable." It's the stuff of a kids pick-up game. Other than Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan and maybe Dirk Nowitzki, who else over seven feet currently matters in the NBA?

And even if they do matter, they ain't winning anything.

The Toronto Raptors made Andrea Bargnani their No.1 pick in this year's draft, and I'm still waiting for someone to explain this decision to me. A well-below .500 team and one light-years from reaching the playoffs, had a "community chest" card that could have boosted the guard spot—or at least helped out with a swingman.

So, they opted for a seven-footer instead.

Not only that, but the brains trust over at Raptors Central, just traded away one of their best players in Charlie Villanueva for TJ Ford. What?! Charlie V, one of the club's brightest spots in a mostly darkened 2005-06 season, traded for a flashy and overrated point guard with average numbers. Say it isn't so. Ford was in the top ten turnover makers last season, something the Raptors must be looking to compound even further.

Clearly Bryan Colangelo wants to revamp the Raps—change the face of a struggling organization. While he's certainly re-jigged personnel, he's messing with the foundations of the team. He's chosen an unproven big man, moved one his best young frontcourt talents for a questionable guard, and is likely to lose a lively backcourter in Mike James. Where is this all headed?

As a result of Toronto's decision, Gonzaga All-American Adam Morrison fell to the Charlotte Bobcats at No.3. To my mind, this wasn't right; he should have been one or two. But hey, the Bobcats are the big winners here.

Morrison was the best pick available. Six-foot eight and twenty-eight points a game, he has the necessary numbers to succeed. But more importantly, The Big Moustache has the intangibles. He's a winner, plays with heart and with a superb offensive repertoire, how could you overlook him? He's ready to go for Pete's sake. Plus there's more than a little Larry Legend about the guy. Surely pure skill out-values wishful thinking? Not in the current NBA, however.

I'll never understand the decisions made by some NBA execs. They are often strange and without any real insight.