The summer of 2003 could have marked the beginning of the end for our beloved Raptors franchise. Already besieged by career-ending injuries, bad contracts, poor attitude, the league's worst defense, indifferent coaching, flagging attendance, a luxury-taxed payroll, Greg Foster, over-priced "Junkyard" hot dogs, and the ugliest Vince Carter bobble-head doll anyone had ever seen, it seemed like rock bottom was perched unreachably high above them.

Until Glen Grunwald launched the "Renew" campaign, that is.

It was an unstoppable marketing juggernaut, kicked off with an expensive pamphlet screaming out two-word slogans against photos of muscular, shirtless basketball players, working out on weight benches and slapping ass. Its genius was apparent. Glen was reaching out to more than just theRaptors' predominantly male profile of season ticket holders. He was also reaching out to those who held the most influence over them: their spouses.

Neither straight females nor gay men could possibly resist the siren call of these sweaty, straining hulks, renewing their passion for the game of basketball, or at least for anabolic steroids. This spousal approval had to be enough to push the remaining reluctant ticket owners over the edge.

And yet something seems to be amiss. Seat holders continue their nervous waiting and watching. Why are the renewals not flowing in as one wouldexpect? To get the inside scoop, Rick Brunson .com sent a concerned email to Glen Grunwald to find out what was going on. Glen's response wasquite revealing:

"As you already know, our theme for this year has been the word RENEW. It certainly made for some inspirational, catchy slogans like 'Renew Commitment', 'Renew Effort', 'Renew Passion', and 'Please, I'm begging you to renew, for the love of God!' But as you also know, the ad campaign on its own did little to change people's minds."

"It was then that we realized that maybe we actually had to back up our words with some actions. Although that concept goes against every fundamental tenet of marketing, we were truly desperate. In a way, we had to 'renew' our own thinking! And the answer? It was right in front of our noses. Rick Brunson, of course! He is the very embodiment of everything our campaign had tried but failed to represent! The time is ripe to present him to his peeps!"

Rick Brunson .com completely agrees. A planned second printing of the ad pamphlet, containing action shots of Rick Brunson alone, should all but seal the deal. 'Renew Commitment' will now pour sweat from the toil of an 82-game bench stint. 'Renew Effort' will hit home like a late fourth quarter ass slap. And 'Renew Passion' will beat with the heart of a true champion.

The Rick Brunson dynasty will have officially begun.