A significant portion of their summer chat revolved around the importance of having the guts to take calculated chances as a GM, and to not let concerns over risk and public criticism get in the way.
Anthopoulos feels he was way too conservative during his first off-season as general manager, something he wants to remedy this winter. Burke told him the caution was understandable, but with a year under his belt now, he should be better able to trust his instincts.
One of the first emails Anthopoulos received when he was promoted last October after Ricciardi's firing was from Burke, offering both congratulations and his help if ever needed. Feeling like the new kid on the block, emphasis on kid, Anthopoulos was floored by the gesture.
They have continued to exchange messages and ideas since, with the veteran Burke, 55, inviting the rookie 33-year-old to his office this summer for an in-depth chat. They discussed their methods of conducting business and approaches to their jobs. They even agreed to take in each other's next draft, with potentially more such exchanges down the road.
"He has a vision, and I think the key for being a successful GM is having a vision when you start — how's your team going to play, what's its strength going to be," said Burke. "My teams are all the same, when you watch me make a player transaction most people nod and say, 'Well, that makes sense. It's his kind of player.' And I think he has all that, he's got it all planned out.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports ... Comments=y
I posted excerpts, so check out the link for more. AA is a BIG basketball fan and hes been to Raptors games in the past. Hes talked about how hes a BC fan in the past too.
You know who I think does a great job. I think Brian Colangelo does a great job. I'm a Raptor fan and to me I don't see him on TV all the time. I don't see him quoted all the time. I see him on TV when he needs to be. I see him quoted when he needs to be. I'm probably similar in style.
http://thestar.blogs.com/baseball/2010/ ... oulos.html
Its nice to see all these guys getting along. Because of his personality, a lot of people dont think that Burke has allies. But the man is extremely well connected. Hes close friends with Bill Polian (President of the Colts) and guys like Ned Colleti too. After the NHL instituted a salary cap, he spent the summer going over the Colts books to study how they built a team in a salary cap world. Cant hurt to know these guys right?
