HoopsHype.com Toronto Raptors Twitters

Colangelo: "There's a process to building teams, but there's a process to building the business around teams ... I have experience there."

Colagnelo: on agreeing to new title: I care a lto about what we are doing here and happy and thrilled to be part of it

Colangelo on 'why' he'd keep this role -- cares about the organization & and the people in it. Seeing it through. Cares about the CITY too

Colangelo: This is just another chapter in my career as a basketball man.

“This is a job, this is an experience that is just another chapter in me being a career basketball man.”

Colangelo: this is another chapter in my life of being a career basketball man.

Colangelo: disappointed that I am not able to see it through, Not "ticked off" I will b utilzed in a way that experience will b tapped in to

Colangelo: "I dont want to disagree with Tim, but I'm not ticked off. I'm disappointed."

"Not going to be pushed off somewhere ... My 18 years of experience is going to be tapped into ... acknolwedgement I do care very much."

Colangelo: "I'm not ticked off, more disappointed ... but excited for new role; don't feel like I'm being pushed off in a corner"

BC: I’m not ticked off. More than anything I am a little disappointed.

Colangelo: "I'm not ticked off, I'm disappointed I won't be finishing this thing."

“I’m not ticked off. More than anything, I’m just a little disappointed.” - BC

And here comes conference call No. 2

The Canada Canadians #branding

"@RobertGibsonIII: Losing My Religion is easily the worst REM song of all time" good poem tho.

Miss the Tim Leiweke conference call? Listen to it in its entirety here: sportsnet.ca/590/the-rap/ #Raptors #Fan590

Colangelo to address new role with Raps in conference call with media in a few minutes. Follow along here: sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba…

With one #Raptors call done and another to come, this can tide you over for a while: bit.ly/14Nt52H

As I write a new Raptors/Colangleo column, here's mine from last night: sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba…

Toronto Ham Farmers. #branding

Toronto Aurora Borealis. #branding

Gotta love Leiweke's take on club's brand failings marketing Raptors to Canada. Still, who on any level w club has taken job w/o same spiel?

Raptors!: "‏@scottfeschuk It's like that line from Mad Men: "For the record, if this doesn't work, I'm against it."

Who has a good Canadian-themed replacement name for the Raptors? I always liked Towers, but that's too Toronto-specific

Of course, the only branding that matters is winning. But Raptors is a terrible name.

As for Colangelo: BC gets job while he looks for a better one, MLSE gets another voice. Doesn't sound long-term.

I have no inside information, but it certainly sounds like TL would push for a name change. As for Huskies: mentioned Canadian flag. So.

Leiweke stamped his no-nonsense approach in one call. Colangelo is being kept as a bit of a bridge. Don't expect this to last long. #Raptors

Leiweke: Half dozen candidates on the GM list

Some teams have their own snazzy practice facilities. VC trade got Raptors practice court hidden away at ACC built.

This Raptors management shuffle can only be a success if it works. If it fails it will be deemed doomed from the start.

"@Eric Koreen: Toronto Mounties, eh." are you trying to totally destroy their street cred?

Conference call No. 1: done.

It's not a list of 20 -- it's a list of a half-dozen -- Leiweke on GM search. He adds Stefanski is on that list.

Says he won't get permission to talk to everyone. Has already been denied. Stefanski is on list of candidates.

I need to hire a transcriber today. Leiweke and Colangelo back-to-back?. Yikes.

Leiweke: we need to find someone who is good at trading, drafting and developing and communicating a philosophy to a coaching staff

"Want someone that has had success in trading." Highlights drafting and communicating philosophy with coaching staff and sticking to it

TL mentions importance of trades in next year or two. Knows cap situation, obviously.

Leiweke says he likes Colangelo's tenacity and his passion

Leiweke: "Bryan is ticked off with me. This isn't his perfect world." Colangelo fought to keep job but if it doesn't work "we'll fix it".

Leiweke: I like Bryan's tenacity ...and the challenge is making sure its directed in the right direction....if not we'll fix it

Leiweke makes it clear if Colangelo can't accept new reality, "we'll fix it."

Leiweke: "Bryan is ticked off with me, this isn't his perfect role either ... did he fight like heck to preserve his role? Yes."

TL adds he fought "like heck" to keep his job. Need to channel it in his newish role.

Leiweke says "Bryan is probably ticked off at me." ....then says..."there is no probably. He is ticked off at me."...then adds BC 'gets it'

Does Bryan think at the end of the day he could have done this in current situation? Yes. Did he fight like heck to preserve this? Yes

Fans think @Eric Smith and I are lying when we say that players love Toronto...thank you Tim Leiweke...#justwinbaby

I really hope the Raptors don't build their training facility in Independence, OH to attract LeBron James

"Bryan's probably ticked off at me. There's no probably. He's ticked off at me." - Leiweke

Leiweke: We don't believe Toronto the best place in the NBA for players to go to; we're going to change that.

"That's what shocked me the most: We don't believe [Toronto is] the best place to go to." Need to believe

#Leiweke really driving home the need to make #Raptors Canada's team. Cites campaign 2016 all-star game as a must have for this effort.

Leiweke: have talked to players and have been told by players flat out Toronto is their favourite city..where have u heard that before folks

Sounds like organization wants to beef up things where possible, such as state of art facilities. "We've been given green light to explore"

I would also predict that Raptors will/should buy their own D-League franchise.

"We have a great city and a great market to go and get great players." Need to have resources, like a training centre

With new CBA, recruiting is important. Still mostly about contracts and money, but some percentage is going to be about env. and atmosphere

So there!: "@RichardAPeddie b ball practice facility never nixed b4 Just never had pan that made sense 4 management 2 recommend 2 board"

Leiweke: I would prefer not to make major decsions...when asked about who is acting as "the GM"

“This is not suddenly a hall pass where I believe we have months to make this decision. There is an immediacy that I feel.”

RE: Coach Casey ... Leiweke says that's up to the new GM

At the moment, TL will be leaning on Colangelo and Stefanski to help them making decisions. Would prefer not to make major ones.

Leiweke: We have an ambition to be Canada's team; 2016 All-Star game will be centrepiece of a Raptors rebranding effort.

Leiweke says CANADA is bidding for 2016 All Star Game ... not just Toronto.

Toronto Mounties, eh.

"Re-branding" is a serious issue that Leiweke is talking about. Pushing CANADA's team...not just Toronto. Work to be done he says.

Leiweke: We have had conversations about our brand; our colour our makeup and our uniforms.

Leiweke: The 2016 All-Star game is a flag in the sand

Me: Colangelo can still succeed in Toronto if he re-brands Raptors right. ie. new name and everything. Raptors was and is ridiculous

"Toronto's not bidding on the 2016 all-star game. Canada is."

TL says there have been conversations about uniform, colours, conversations with NBA. Mentions 20th anniversary. Must have 2016 ASG.

Leiweke: We have to learn how to be Canada's team...we have had discussions about colours and branding of our team

"We are Toronto's team, but we have to figure out how to be Canada's team." Have had conversations about brand: colour, makeup, image

Let's be real: Bryan Colangelo is the Raptors' "president," not president.

Leiweke: I dont want to get into disruption ofother teams or ppl...when asked about where perimission has been sought re:other GM's

Mich-ael Gran-geee (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)

TL declines to mention specific names as candidates. "I'll enjoy watching the speculation out there."

Leiweke says the new GM will have final call on all management and coaches

I do not want to be - nor am I qualified to be - the GM. -- Tim Leiweke

All current coaches, management and players' statuses will be up to new GM. Holding pattern.

Live coverage of Lieweke conference call: sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba…

Search firm for a new GM in Toronto was not hired to do the process.. they were hired to help on gaining background informantion

Agreed. RT ‏@Paul Jones Can't interpret tone in print but folks...Leiweke is driving the bus here...no question about it

Leiweke Bryan will now help me with GM search ... but it's my search. Search firm is just to help with gathering background on candidates.

"Decision we will try to get done in the near future. Search firm is just doing background, not the process."

Search firm is simply doing background on candidates, says TL.

Can't interpret tone in print but folks...Leiweke is driving the bus here...no question about it

Leiweke: "I'm doing the search; we're waiting for permission on some GM candidates; others we haven't asked for yet."

Raps have received permission to speak to some candidates, seeking permission for others.

Leiweke says he's doing the search. Search firm stuff isn't entirely accurate.

Leiweke: Bryan will have to take a deep breath at times ...sounds like GM will have the final say and Leiweke says he is doing the search

Leiweke says Colangelo will have to take a deep breath sometimes; realize that the new GM is in charge.

As expected, Colangelo can pursue a new basketball position elsewhere if one comes up.

Colangelo is free to look for another basketball job with another team.

Leiweke: "Bryan is going to have to live with this; I hope he can because if he can't we're not going to fire the Toronto Raptors"

“He’s going to have to live with that. I hope he can. If he can’t, I’m fairly certain we’re not going to fire the Toronto Raptors.”

Says Colangelo will have to take a deep breath every once in a while and realize things are different (he isn't boss anymore).

bit of "unique" situation, but given timing, his choices, "this is in everyone's best interest to make this work."