The Alchemist

[hankscorpioLA]

I don't suspect this will stick, but here goes...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alchemy

al·che·my noun \ˈal-kə-mē\

: a science that was used in the Middle Ages with the goal of changing ordinary metals into gold

: a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy

"Alchemy is the art of liberating parts of the Cosmos from temporal existence and achieving perfection which, for metals is gold, and for man, longevity, then immortality and, finally, redemption." - H.J. Sheppard

...and for NBA teams, is contention, championship and dynasty.


IMHO this fits for Masai because of his ability to somehow turn a bad situation into something exceptional.

He turned Carmelo into Galinari, Wilson Chandler and a 2014 pick. While he moved the pick to Philly for Iguodala, he gave them the LOWER of his two picks this year. That means Denver stands to land a top 5 pick out of the deal as well.

He was then able to dump two of the worst contracts in the league (Bargnani and Gay) and got back a first round pick, significant financial and cap savings, improved flexibility, some good role players (Novak and Salmons) and two potential long-term bench pieces in Patterson and Vasquez.

In both cases, teams that were expected to suffer following his trades have wound up flourishing instead. You can't quite nail down exactly how he was able to make both teams better, but afterwards, it almost appears self-evident.

I don't want to use a term like "Magician" to describe him because most magic is about deception and sleight of hand. Masai does none of that. He tells you "I am going to turn this lump of lead into gold" and then does it right in front of your disbelieving eyes.

That's alchemy.

[Boogie!]

i thought you were gonna make a comparison to the book. good book.

[lucky777s]

Careful, last time you were so daring and did not hedge your bet you called Casey our MVP and things quickly went to hell.

[J-Roc]

Derailing

[Sherlock]

In Masai we trust?

Or...I believe in Masai?

Or....The Masaiah has arrived?



Before we get too carried away, people were pretty high on Colangelo when he arrived in Toronto and all of his early moves (e.g., Garbajosa) were coming up roses. We all know how that ended up.

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy with Masai so far. Unlike his predecessor, he seems to understand the CBA and the value of maintaining financial flexibility and stock-piling assets. But I'm not ready to anoint him as a demi-God or a prophet or an alchemist just yet.

[hankscorpioLA]

Careful, last time you were so daring and did not hedge your bet you called Casey our MVP and things quickly went to hell.

I don't recall ever saying Casey was our MVP.

[OakleyDokely]

Masai Ugenie

[Sherlock]

Masai Ugenie

I see what you did there!

[SHFT]

I thought this thread was to take a shot at the poster named The Alchemist....sadly I dissapoint

[Throwback24]

I thought you were calling out the poster. I actually loved the book.

Back to the topic, I think it's too premature to evaluate Ujiri. He's not our savior and he isn't BC either. We'll see if he's indeed an alchemist in the coming months/years.

[ballercb4]

Masai Ugenie

[ansoncarter]

I like it

what if the raptors show up to work one day and that big ugly rock Casey stuck in their dressing room that I am sure annoys everyone, was suddenly GOLD OMG! and nobody could figure out what happened. But then they all look back and Masai is standing in the doorway smiling.

[fredericklove]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colangelogic

a power or process that changes or transforms something in a hilarious or disastrous way

[DHK]

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out next season>
This season we're going into the summer with 41m on the books, with team options on Johnson, Salmons, Vasquez and Patterson (which would likely be picked up for Johnson (for sure) and likely Vasquez/Patterson if they continue to play like this) which would put us at 55.5m with around 6-7m in flexibility.

Now the interesting part would be that the next season we have 14.5m in expirings in Fields/hayes where it could be used to pick up a disgruntled star player or above average player on a team that's clearly going the other direction.

This is along with an additional draft pick next season..things are looking up.

As for the Carmelo deal...Masai was just in the right position at the right time. The Knicks made one of the most mindboggling decisions in their desperate attempt to get into the playoffs paying them all of that for a 1/3 season rental for Melo. There are few teams which are (Please Use More Appropriate Word) enough management to go for a move like that and the only other one is Milwaukee

[TheDoctor]

Paulo Coelho FTW.

[lucky777s]

Careful, last time you were so daring and did not hedge your bet you called Casey our MVP and things quickly went to hell.

I don't recall ever saying Casey was our MVP.

It was after the strike season. You have admitted to it more recently as well. Time will not fade that memory. You are stuck with it.

[AbC?]

SMH.

[S.W.A.N]

I think you have to give Masai a lot of credit.

The easy road this year would of been a rebuild.

People are excited right now, but the first hick-up and people are going to jump on the 'oh my god we are on a treadmill' train. Its harder to take a mediocre team and build it into a winner than it is to break it up and start over.

Hopefully this is correct path for the team. I believe it is, but time will tell

And no alchemist is not right... ugenie much more clever

[TheAlchemist]

Wussup yo.

Masai can use my name, as long as it's The Alchemist Jr.

He's good at alchemy though, gotta admit that.

[dTox]

Is he the long lost brother of Edward Elric?