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Raptors Discussion: v95|Masai's back! The panic and dread can now end.

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zeke said:
Here's the trick - if a player actually does possess a "heart and effort" skill that give him an advantage over more skilled players, then he will end up having better analytics than those players.
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zeke said:
Like i said, I am happy for you if you thought Lowry and the raps were as good as the analytics said they were, before they won the chip.

what might bug you, of course, is the realization is that Masai loves his analytics, and his team wasn't built by fluke.
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What might bug you is that realization that not everything shows up in analytics. Of course you have to first come to that realization first so ...

hockeywiz542 said:
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Always love listening to Masai talk. He sure seemed like he was in a good mood, I'm happy for him and super happy he's still our guy!
 
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zeke said:
Like i said, I am happy for you if you thought Lowry and the raps were as good as the analytics said they were, before they won the chip.

what might bug you, of course, is the realization is that Masai loves his analytics, and his team wasn't built by fluke.
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Thank you, Zeke! But be happy for everyone that was watching - I think most attentive fans over his near-decade tenure will tell you he's been an absolute pleasure to watch! He's a special player. Theres something very endearing to many sports fans to see a player that plays with his type of heart and determination, especially at 6' in a giant mans game. He's had so many memorable moments over the years whether it was big plays in the playoffs, managing a tight game down the stretch to get a W, or random games in the regular season where he dragged them into a fight in games they had no business winning... And when we compare that to other teams and other players at his size and position, you'll quickly see that very few do all the things that Kyle Lowry does and that the Raptors have been incredibly fortunate to have him on their team.


I've literally been through all of this at one point or another. The Raptors were a very good team during the Lowry-DeRozan-JV era but that team had a ceiling as a good 2nd round or conference finals team but not competing with the elite. Lowry was their best player and best closer with Demar being inconsistent in the clutch and JV just wasn't good enough as a #3. Re-tooling and development saw the emergence of the bench mob including Siakam (who'd eventually bump Ibaka to mostly the 5 and create a dynamic 1-2 punch at that very important position) and Fred VanVleet (who became "one hell of a backup pointguard" to quote Mike Breen and create that dynamic 1-2 punch at that very important postition) as well as Powell and Anunoby as two way slashing wings that can knock down shots. This was a very good team that would again likely be top of their division but now with LeBron James out west, actually had a legitimate chance to compete with the Bucks and Sixers (pre Jimmy Butler trade) in a conference finals in a year where the East was going to get spanked by the Warriors.

Kawhi trade changed things. They were already a well built team but lacking the top 5-10 player and closer to put them over the top. When they were able to swap their starting SG DeRozan and their 10-11th man for Leonard AND Danny Green I'd say almost everyone gave them a good chance at making the finals. I don't think anyone was picking them against a healthy Warriors team but injuries are apart of the sport and they put themselves in a position to be opportunistic.

It doesn't bug me at all knowing a guy who made his bones as an old school scout in Europe is making basketball decisions. Where did he say he loved them? Honest question? Because the general public doesn't even know what data they're tracking, nevermind what data they're considering in their personnel decisions.... but whatever stats you're suggesting he leans on, I think it's important that you realize he was climbing the ladder based on his eye for talent long before these websites you frequent even existed.... So the suggestion that he relies on any of these numbers still in their infancy is downright silly because he literally pre-dates them.

Of course its not a fluke. Its similar to the Pat Riley Miami Heat model. Establish a culture and fill the roster with players that embody it. Accumulate and develop depth with young talent that exceeds draft position then be opportunistic in trades and free agency to obtain the missing piece(s) that can put you over the top while still maintaining enough depth for continuity and a cohesive 8-9 man playoff rotation.

Can you provide any examples of players that failed the eye test but passed the numbers test and actually came in to have success in Toronto?
 
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Yeah… There came a time in my life where I just let go, and stopped caring to follow where the statistics stuff was going. People arguing over percentage points and relative stats just lost me. I don’t care, I guess. I have nothing against people who delve into it, but It takes enjoyment out of sports for me, much like a lot of stuff around the cap and cap rules go. I like watching sports. I don’t care to argue over minute details in numbers.

Hard caps suck. Moneyball sucks. Sports being the only facet of life that equality/parity, and wealth gaps matter is stupid and backwards.

That’s it. Rant over :laugh:
 


Masai Ujiri Press Conference – August 18, 2021

August 18, 2021

Toronto Raptors

Masai Ujiri addresses the media for the first time after signing a new long term deal with the Toronto Raptors as President and Vice-Chairman.
 
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With Raptors' future secured, Ujiri focused on making history again - Sportsnet.ca

My best guess? Given the deal was announced as “multi-year” and “significant” and given that Ujiri has not hedged about Toronto being home, there’s no chance the contract is for three years or less. But given the rapidly changing business climate in sports, Ujiri would be unwise to lock himself into something like seven or 10 years. Just like the best players in the NBA, you always want to be in a position to negotiate again the time is right.

Does five years sound right? Seems reasonable to me. But even if we’re doing this dance again in 2026 it’s clear that Ujiri's heart is here.

The heavy lifting on the deal was done by Lastman and Ujiri’s advisor, Robbie Robinson of Pendulum holdings, who also advises former U.S. president Barack Obama. Tanenbaum and Ujiri began participating more directly in the final few weeks as the momentum for the deal grew.

The negotiation was challenging, for exactly that reason, Ujiri said. At 51 he was at a crossroads professionally and personally – Ujiri’s wife and two school-aged children were at the press conference; they decided not to risk the fussy factor of their infant son – and the next step had to be just right.

“I understood that this process was going to be difficult and that’s why I left it until the end of the season,” Ujiri said. “Negotiating is difficult, that’s what comes in the terrain. Me and my family really looked at this and you get different offers that come to you, but it comes a point where you have to weigh those options and what’s best as a family and for me. Everything we went through always came back to Toronto and what Toronto means to me as a city. I call it home. It’s home for me and my family. When it comes to negotiating, we just have to talk about some of the things that are not only important to me but are also important to the organization too. And you bring it together.”

Which is Ujiri’s task now. He’s got to bring it all together.

He’s been given the keys to the kingdom – or he’s earned them. Multiple sources have confirmed that there’s no ownership arrangement but in addition to a salary believed to be in the $15 million range, there is likely some ‘equity-like' elements to the deal. According to executive compensation experts that could mean Ujiri earning bonuses based on revenues or even participating in the growth in the valuation of the company over the course of his deal. Given the revenues MLSE has enjoyed, not to mention the trajectory of NBA franchise values – $2 billion and climbing, even at the low end – Ujiri is in position to be richly rewarded.
 
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Precious Achiuwa ready to fill whatever role Raptors need to win - Sportsnet.ca

Achiuwa comes in at a stout six-foot-eight, 225 pounds, can play and defend multiple positions and, because of his young age, coupled with those traits, appears to align perfectly with the apparent plan the Raptors have in place for themselves in this post-Lowry era.

“Everyone can kind of see the frontcourt, the types of players that slot in there,” said Raptors GM Bobby Webster last week. “I don't know if there's going to be a specific position, but we'll have some interesting lineups, especially on the defensive end for coach (Nick) Nurse. A lot of length, a lot of versatility, a lot of athleticism, and once they kind of learn how to play together, I think that will be one of our strengths.”

Achiuwa now figures to be a major part of what the Raptors are building, and he comes to his new team with a positive attitude.

“Winning. Just the winning mentality, doing whatever it takes to win basketball games: Rebounding, guarding multiple positions, creating offence for my teammates, screens, pick-and-rolls, passing the ball, just whatever it takes to win a basketball game — getting loose balls," Achiuwa said of what he brings to the Raptors. "For me, it’s all about winning.”

He later added it matters not what his specific role on the team is because he believes he’s a winning player.

“That’s up to the coaches,” Achiuwa said. “Like I said before, I’m a winning basketball player. I believe this organization wants to win. And it’s a winning culture. That’s what I’m about. I’m here to do whatever it takes to win basketball games. Whatever that role is, as long as we’re winning, I’m ready to embrace it.”

Given the similarities in styles of play between the Raptors and Heat, this “winning” impact Achiuwa claims to bring to the Raptors should become apparent rather quickly. Particularly because, despite him saying he doesn’t care what role he plays, he already seems to know why he was brought into the Raptors in the first place.

“Both teams are very defensive-minded, playing defence, playing big, playing athletic, being disruptive on the ball and all that kind of stuff,” said Achiuwa of the similarities between the Raptors and Heat. “The style on the defensive side of the ball game is pretty much the same — being able to switch, switchability, guarding multiple positions, extra effort, rebound, finish possessions. On the defensive side, there are a lot of similarities between both teams.”

That many things, both culture-wise and, by the sounds of things, schematically, seem to be the same between Miami and Toronto, Achiuwa should easily be able to find a fit with the Raptors organization.

At the very least, off the court, Achiuwa should be able to find some common ground with the Raptors’ new vice chairman Masai Ujiri. Like Ujiri, Achiuwa is a Nigerian native and wants to be known for more than what he’s done athletically.

“I just don't wanna be remembered as a basketball player,” said Achiuwa. “I want to give back to the community that I'm in. I've already started doing something like that and definitely go back home, Nigeria, do a lot of community stuff, help out kids, help out families in need, and just to provide for them in whatever way I can.”
 
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trellaine201 said:
Any idea how long Masai contract is? And whether any opt outs? And why they wouldn’t divulge the length?
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I don't think those details have been made public, as to why the secrecy, I have no idea. I'm not going to worry about it though, I'm just so happy he's back and I expect him to be here for many, many years.
 
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As a casual observer, why is the Presidents contract so important to fans?
Does the GM not put the team together? (I'm thinking in comparison to the Leafs)
 
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ACC1224 said:
As a casual observer, why is the Presidents contract so important to fans?
Does the GM not put the team together? (I'm thinking in comparison to the Leafs)
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Masai is essentially the GM. Although Webster holds the title here, Masai and Webster are working more closely together than Dubas and Shanny are. Webster is Masai's guy.
 
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ErnieLeafs said:
Yeah… There came a time in my life where I just let go, and stopped caring to follow where the statistics stuff was going. People arguing over percentage points and relative stats just lost me. I don’t care, I guess. I have nothing against people who delve into it, but It takes enjoyment out of sports for me, much like a lot of stuff around the cap and cap rules go. I like watching sports. I don’t care to argue over minute details in numbers.

Hard caps suck. Moneyball sucks. Sports being the only facet of life that equality/parity, and wealth gaps matter is stupid and backwards.

That’s it. Rant over :laugh:
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I view analytics like accounting. It's boring and doesn't interest me in the slightest, but a company without an accounting department would be extremely dumb. You don't operate a business on gut feelings and "watching the store".
 
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Wonder if there is any truth to the Dragic for Moses Brown and Dwight Powell rumours
 
Hey question. I was reading a report regarding the cavaliers wanting to buy out Kevin Love but he doesn’t want this. Why wouldn’t a player take a buy out? Is a buyout an agreement of $$ ? I thought a buyout the player gets all his money and then gets more when he signs somewhere else?
 
trellaine201 said:
Hey question. I was reading a report regarding the cavaliers wanting to buy out Kevin Love but he doesn’t want this. Why wouldn’t a player take a buy out? Is a buyout an agreement of $$ ? I thought a buyout the player gets all his money and then gets more when he signs somewhere else?
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NBA Salary Cap FAQ

66. What is a contract buyout?

Sometimes players and teams decide to divorce each other. They do this by mutually agreeing that:

• The team will waive the player

• If the player clears waivers, the player's guaranteed salary will be reduced or eliminated (see question number 63)

• Optionally the team's set-off rights (see question number 65) may be waived

After the player clears waivers, he and his former team are free to go their separate ways. There is a quid-pro-quo between the player and team regarding contractual obligation and salary -- in exchange for gaining his freedom, the player agrees to give the team a break on the remaining salary he is owed.

But there's a twist, which needed an arbitrator's ruling to resolve. As detailed in question number 63, on January 10 (the "cut-down" date) all contracts become guaranteed for the remainder of that season. Although compensation protection ensures the player is paid after he is waived, the compensation protection does not kick-in if the player is waived after January 10, because the player does not lose any salary. Even though the team and player can mutually agree to reduce or eliminate the player's compensation protection, he is still owed his full salary if waived after January 10.

This was challenged by John Starks during the 1999-2000 season. Starks had been traded to the Bulls, and wanted to sever ties with the team after January 10. The arbitrator ruled that in the last season of a player's contract a team and player can choose to eliminate the protection that kicks-in on January 10. Starks and the Bulls were therefore free to walk away from each other with no money owed.

After a buyout in which the player's guaranteed salary is reduced, the team cannot re-sign the player or claim him of waivers for one year, or until the waived contract would have ended, whichever is later.

The Voluntarily Retired List (see question number 79) can also be utilized when the player wishes to end his employment with his team. However, since the player is not free to sign with another team, it is typically utilized when the player really intends to retire, and not when the parties are simply seeking a divorce.

67. How do buyouts affect team salary?

Any guaranteed salary still owed to the player as the result of a buyout continues to be included in team salary, just as with any waived player. See question number 65 for details.
 




Svi Mykhailiuk | 2020-21 End-of-Season Interview

May 21, 2021

Oklahoma City Thunder
 
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trellaine201 said:
Hey question. I was reading a report regarding the cavaliers wanting to buy out Kevin Love but he doesn’t want this. Why wouldn’t a player take a buy out? Is a buyout an agreement of $$ ? I thought a buyout the player gets all his money and then gets more when he signs somewhere else?
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Nope, like Hockeywiz posted a player getting bought out forgoes some amount of their remaining contract value in exchange for an immediate payment from the team.

The issue is that Love and the Cavs are in an awkward position in that what each of them would want to do runs in opposition to the other party.

Love is making way more money now than he would if he signed anywhere else. So it's to his advantage to hold out for a buyout that gives him as much of his contract value as possible.

The Cavs are not looking to compete right now and can afford to carry Love's contract and play him if they wish/need to without blowing their budget paying him to go away. So for them a buyout only makes sense if the player "gives back" a bunch of contract value and it saves them money on what would be his normal whole cap hit/salary value.

This pretty much puts them at a stalemate because it makes no sense for the Cavs to immediately foot the bill to buy out his whole deal, but it makes no sense for Love to take a hit and walk away from noticeable chunk of what is owed to him on his current deal. And so they stick it out with each other, both parties likely unhappy with the arrangement but unwilling to move off their current position.
 
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donghabs98 said:
Also if we're being frank, Masai will stay here as long as he wants to, regardless of the contract length.
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If he's getting paid $15 million a year plus incentives as being reported, and the team isn't very good for the duration of this contract, ownership probably wouldn't want to keep paying that.

I'm confident in Masai, though.
 
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