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Stoudamire Rips Into Raptors Owner Slaight

Associated Press

Former Toronto captain Damon Stoudamire, now a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, blames former Raptors owner Allan Slaight for the team’s problems this season.

In an interview in Portland with the Toronto Star, Stoudamire said general manager Glen Grunwald was made a scapegoat and that Slaight, who unexpectedly sold the team to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week, is responsible for the team’s disintegration.

“I think all of it could have been avoided from the jump,” Stoudamire told the Star. “When Isiah (former GM Isiah Thomas) was gone, all Slaight had to say was, ‘Well we don’t know how we feel about the team, we don’t know whether we want to own the team or whether we don’t. But you guys go out there and play hard and we’re going to keep you informed about the ownership situation.’ It never happened.”

Stoudamire also said Slaight lied to him, saying that he would do everything to make the team a winner.

Slaight denied the accusations.

“I have no idea what Damon’s talking about,” Slaight said.

Slaight said he tried to have lunch with Stoudamire, but the player ignored his calls.

Stoudamire wasn’t the only player sounding off about the Raptors on Tuesday as guard Doug Christie said he also wants to leave the team.

“I’m 27 years old and I’m not getting any younger. For me, maybe a situation of more of a contender would be a better situation for Doug Christie and his family,” Christie told TSN.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Grunwald said a trade is not in Christie’s future.

“The Raptors organization will not engage in public debate over private team matters that may occur as a result of normal business operations between the team and a player agent.

“Doug is in the first year of a sevenyear contract with the Raptors and we have no intention of trading him.”

Stoudamire said there is a questionmark hanging over the Toronto franchise, languishing with an 11-40 record.

“It’s a code red on the Raptors,” he said. “The word is out and it ain’t a good word.”

Stoudamire, intensely loyal to Thomas, said something changed when the GM left.