Raptors Discussion: v89| Those are some big rings | Raptors out to defend their championship

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yvrtojfk

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Aug 13, 2016
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Late to the party but yesterday’s game was f***ing unreal. Bouchers coming out party. Siakam had an off night and then torched the Lakers late in the second half. Powell has had two solid efforts. Vanvleet steadied the ship. Great overall game.
 

Cor

I am a bot
Jun 24, 2012
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The media hates that the non-american team is successful, and every two months, some new American team is going to go after Masai, even though he consistently says he loves being here, and has no plans on leaving.

I mean;

Raptors win Championship - Media immediately (literally as the game ends) says Washington Wizards making huge offer to Masai - Was later proven to be false by Wizards beat writer

Siakam off to huge start to the year, and Raps beat Lakers - Media puts out a story says New York Knicks going to make big offer to Masai.

There's been others in the past as well.
 

hockeywiz542

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May 26, 2008
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Isola: The Knicks are in full-blown crisis mode again – The Athletic
According to several people familiar with the Knicks thinking, Dolan is plotting to take another run at Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri. It would take Phil Jackson-type money to lure Ujiri to New York but spending the big bucks is never an issue for Dolan. The issue is always hiring the right person, but in Ujiri, unlike Jackson, Mills and Perry, the Knicks would be bringing in an executive who has built a championship team.

Ujiri is under contract through the 2021 season and the Raptors ownership group will do anything and everything to keep him. However, Ujiri is an ambitious guy with powerful friends in high places, and we’re not just talking about Barack Obama. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is a close friend who remains forever frustrated with the train wreck in his own backyard that is the Knicks.

Ujiri’s possible arrival in New York could potentially put the Knicks in play for Giannis Antetokounmpo as well. Ujiri is well connected to some of today’s top stars.
Mills claimed to be but couldn’t even get a sit down with Irving and/or Durant. That’s another plan he sold to Dolan that fell flat.

Several NBA executives and scouts in town for last week’s college basketball doubleheader at the Garden were linking Ujiri to the Knicks, so the story is making the rounds in NBA circles. As of last week, the plan was for Dolan to give Mills, Perry and Fizdale the rest of the season to figure things out. But things change quickly in Dolan’s world.
 

whoshouse

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Aug 13, 2004
1,124
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I wasn’t expecting how well the depth players on this team have been able to grasp the system and really commit to the team dynamic. Goes to show just how well managed this organization is. From top to bottom, every player buys in.

To have the foresight to keep Boucher when he was not providing any utility last year and now see him excelling to becoming an important depth piece is encouraging. He’s an absolute terror for the other team on transition and in the paint. As long as he continues to play within the system and consistently makes the right decisions on the d side he’ll be an amazing depth piece. He’s where the new NBA is going, running the floor and jacking up threes. Let’s see if his IQ can catch up to his skill set.

Terrence Davis has been a revelation. To have limited picks and spots on the team. And having a sore lack of potential playmakers in the guard position in the future. To now having a potential starting Guard to take over for Lowry is such a big win. It’s increased their span of contention and is a big piece on the bench for a real run this season.

We haven’t been able to see too much of Hollis Jefferson but we know what skill set he brings. And we know if he can keep things simple, with his defensive skills, the amount of flexible depth on this team would be scary.

Stanley Johnson is the only guy left to still be a little lost out there. Not confident enough to be a 3 & D player (his shooting has been disappointing) and still not sure of system or how he fits. He looks like he’ll have to work on his game for the rest of the year and hopefully make an impact next season. His skill set is tantalizing. And may be worth waiting for to develop that skill.

Anyways. It will be interesting to see if Masai end ups making a trade to improve the team to make a run this playoffs. Not sure if he’s cap capable but it would do wonders for the younger guys on the team (even OG) to really try to make a run this playoffs.
 
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Suntouchable13

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Dec 20, 2003
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Toronto, ON
I wasn’t expecting how well the depth players on this team have been able to grasp the system and really commit to the team dynamic. Goes to show just how well managed this organization is. From top to bottom, every player buys in.

To have the foresight to keep Boucher when he was not providing any utility last year and now see him excelling to becoming an important depth piece is encouraging. He’s an absolute terror for the other team on transition and in the paint. As long as he continues to play within the system and consistently makes the right decisions on the d side he’ll be an amazing depth piece. He’s where the new NBA is going, running the floor and jacking up threes. Let’s see if his IQ can catch up to his skill set.

Terrence Davis has been a revelation. To have limited picks and spots on the team. And having a sore lack of potential playmakers in the guard position in the future. To now having a potential starting Guard to take over for Lowry is such a big win. It’s increased their span of contention and is a big piece on the bench for a real run this season.

We haven’t been able to see too much of Hollis Jefferson but we know what skill set he brings. And we know if he can keep things simple, with his defensive skills, the amount of flexible depth on this team would be scary.

Stanley Johnson is the only guy left to still be a little lost out there. Not confident enough to be a 3 & D player (his shooting has been disappointing) and still not sure of system or how he fits. He looks like he’ll have to work on his game for the rest of the year and hopefully make an impact next season. His skill set is tantalizing. And may be worth waiting for to develop that skill.

Anyways. It will be interesting to see if Masai end ups making a trade to improve the team to make a run this playoffs. Not sure if he’s cap capable but it would do wonders for the younger guys on the team (even OG) to really try to make a run this playoffs.

I think they should be a model for Jays and Leafs.
 

The Nemesis

Semper Tyrannus
Apr 11, 2005
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If even 5% of the stuff that gets reported as "this is going to be the thing that pulls the Knicks out of the flaming ball of garbage that their organization has become and put them on the track to being a marquee NBA franchise again!" actually happened, the Knicks wouldn't still be where they are today.

It's not happening.


Frank Isola is a hack and a muck-raker. His whole thing is to say big, loud things to get eyeballs and talking points. I don't doubt people have speculated "hey, if Ujiri went to the Knicks, this and this and this could happen" but just the same I have serious doubts that there's a "real" story making the round where respected and connected people honestly believe the concept has legs.

People have already sworn that Masai would go to LA, or Washington, or any other US market that's not the Raptors. And he didn't. This isn't any different.
 
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hockeywiz542

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May 26, 2008
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Rogers Sportsnet's Michael Grange sat down with Raptors president Masai Ujiri to delve deep into the 2018 offseason, the decision to trade DeMar DeRozan, and the team's negotiations trying to bring Kawhi back, after leading Toronto to a Championship.

 

ronzigato

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Jan 5, 2006
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Ontario
I get the feeling that Masai prefers Canada to the US for his family. Maybr I'm wrong, but that's the drift I get when he speaks on the topic.
 

BayStreetBully

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Oct 25, 2007
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Toronto
Loved that win yesterday and “next man up” attitude. This team never says die. Heck, even if I wasn’t from Toronto, I’d still find this Raptors team incredibly likeable.
 

Jozay

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Jul 9, 2012
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Toronto


Imagine if we had both. Obviously only been 9 games, but Pascal is looking like a superstar.
 

Suntouchable13

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Dec 20, 2003
44,579
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Toronto, ON
Rogers Sportsnet's Michael Grange sat down with Raptors president Masai Ujiri to delve deep into the 2018 offseason, the decision to trade DeMar DeRozan, and the team's negotiations trying to bring Kawhi back, after leading Toronto to a Championship.



Toronto could have offered him a lot of things but they couldn't offer him home. He wanted to go back home, he is that kinda guy, Masai couldn't do anything. The Raps did all they could.
 

Dr.Funk

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Jul 2, 2004
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Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam has been named the NBA's Eastern Conference player of the week.

Siakam averaged team highs of 30.3 points and 11.3 rebounds as the Raptors picked up wins over Sacramento, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers last week.

He also shot .515 (34-for-66) from the field and .810 (17-for-21) at the free throw line
 
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