>You have to really squint or really be an optimist to see how this group does. The common thread among even the long list of contenders are lineups that feature the best of the best: past, present and future MVPs, and, typically, multiple all-NBA types.
>Toronto has some excellent pieces — Pascal Siakam might snag a third-team all-NBA nod, Fred VanVleet has been an all-star; Scottie Barnes might be one day, and O.G. Anunoby is an all-NBA level defender. But do any of them individually raise the group’s ceiling? Or even collectively? Who among that four is scoring 56 points in a comeback win against the Milwaukee Bucks in a playoff game, as Jimmy Butler did for Miami on Monday night? And if they don’t have stars, do the Raptors have that deep core of secondary talent that can lift a team’s floor to the point where they can keep having a chance to get lucky?
>It might explain why Ujiri was so adamant that ‘culture’ was the missing piece this past season.
>There’s no question those qualities (culture) are essential to any good team and ambitious organization.
>But they are not the only things the Raptors are lacking, and maybe not even the most important thing.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/what-does-masai-ujiri-see-in-his-raptors-that-others-do-not/
by EarthWarping
19 Comments
Fade me
I’m not feeling very optimistic in this. If he seriously runs this team back with a couple bench upgrades I’m going to lose my shit
Sounds to be mostly interpreting Ujiri’s press conference
Just let it go bruh …it’s over 😂😂
Moderators that moderate in moderate amounts. When are you going to enable image posting in threads? I have a lot of memes and reactions that I want to post.
No changes are coming.
I think Masai is playing a bit of 4D chess here. If he comes out saying, “We want a new and fresh start. We are looking for young and new talent.” All the teams will under price our players. Meanwhile now if he says he’ll run it back but ends up shipping them anyways, at least he can get some talent back.
Problem also is that we have so many free agents that we’ll be lucky to get a handshake in return.
and here’s chris talking about how bench players deserved more playing time. . . . [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijpgPmSIoug&ab_channel=YahooSportsCanada](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijpgPmSIoug&ab_channel=YahooSportsCanada)
he also talks about masai and says “usually when he believes in someone, he’s right”.
Masai knows what moves he’s going to make so it makes sense he’s more optimistic than those who don’t
This could also be the FO posturing that they highly value their core pieces…so if playoff teams get knocked out and are looking to make moves, they’re going to have to come in with strong offers. It’s easier to lowball if you know the team is having a firesale. That’s likely what happened at the trade deadline when we ended up not moving anyone – the offers were too low.
Also keep in mind Giannis is Ufa in 2025 and the Bucks are an ageing team.👀
Giannis watch here we come.
Masai has lost his way.
Getting tired of Grange quotes
can’t wait for the race for the 10th seed next year
🤦♂️
I’m starting to wonder if Masai’s even a real person or a physical manifestation of the collective thoughts of Raptors Reddit.
“He believes in it more than Nurse or Udoka.”
Is that meant to imply that they tried getting Udoka but he said “no thanks your team sucks”
This is concerning lol
The only change I see possibly is Fred walking- we need to stop thinking we are going to get anything back from our free agents. It’s delusional.
Personally I think this off-season is a big opportunity to trade Siakam- after so many other teams that thought of themselves as contenders lose in the playoffs. Mavs, Bucks if they lose in the first round, Golden State if they lose in the first round… Pascal would be an amazing addition for them. And unless we get a superstar to compliment him he’s kind of wasting his energy here.