Pulse Check: Deeply conflicted about the Toronto Raptors moving forward

[Badonkadonk]

Pelley insists he was the guy who made the decision to fire Masai but couldn't actually give a reason why he fired him. I wanted to throw my phone watching him give non answers during the press conference.

He's Ed's mouthpiece, used to run Rogers Media for him. Pelley is essentially a politician, his only job is to spin and to deflect crap for his boss. My receipts for how this would end are in the Pelley-hire thread (unfair advantage in that I know a bit about Rogers' management and what a truly awful place it is).

Dude even hired an exec search firm to do his work. Useless.

[ishoy123]

Sucks but whaddya gonna do

[ForeverTFC]

Apathetic. We just saw a petulant man child let his lackey loose on the soul of this franchise and fanbase to settle a grudge and prove his manhood.

I look forward to the day Rogers sells the Raptors. I hope he does so in shame. Until then, I’m checked out.

[Yallbecrazy]

Dallas has #FireNico and now we have #FirePelley

Let's make our voices heard for the incompetence I just witnessed at that press conference. Its one thing to make a chance but another to say you have no idea what youre looking for and have no clue why you really let Masai go.

#Ed Out

[Raps Next GM]

I'm apathetic at the whole situation, but we've really gotta stop acting like MLSE is responsible for all the bad things in the universe and Masai was the only thing protecting us from the big baddies.

Like all they did was move on from Masai (so far), everyone else is all in the exact same positions. And if Masai is 100% responsible for where we are at now, then wtf has everyone else been doing? Direction is important, leadership is important, but largely nothing has changed. IMO this is a discussion down the line when we see the ramifications of this.

Agreed. Masai deserves his flowers but there is justification for replacing him, even though I myself don't agree with the decision.

I am still optimistic about the Raptors' future success because I believe that they will hire a reputable replacement. Rogers' ownership of the Blue Jays shows that they are not cheap, they will invest in the team and organization which shows a commitment to winning, whether or not the actual execution is successful (in the Jays' case it has been a resounding dud).

But my opinion may change if the hire for his replacement is underwhelming.

[ForeverTFC]

With an ownership that is in direct conflict with much of what this team, its brand, and its culture stand for,

I'm confused by this, they came out and said they are happy with the direction of the team and the roster, all of which Masai apparently built and put into place. So how can they be in direct conflict with the same stuff Masai was doing, while also supporting it?

I'm apathetic at the whole situation, but we've really gotta stop acting like MLSE is responsible for all the bad things in the universe and Masai was the only thing protecting us from the big baddies.

Like all they did was move on from Masai (so far), everyone else is all in the exact same positions. And if Masai is 100% responsible for where we are at now, then wtf has everyone else been doing? Direction is important, leadership is important, but largely nothing has changed. IMO this is a discussion down the line when we see the ramifications of this.

Because you’re missing the point.

It’s precisely that it was only Masai while everyone got extended that makes this so heartbreaking. Our owner made this move not to benefit the Raptors, but to heal his wounded ego. That’s who calls the shots now, and it didn’t take long for him to show us who he is and what type of people he will surround himself and this franchise with.

[kalel123]

I don't really have an opinion either way with the ownership group. But the timing of the firing absolutely sucks. That doesn't bode well for me so pessimistic. But ultimately, will have to see who takes over.

[SFour]

It's hard to say until we know who the new president is, and if they will keep the current FO or clean house....if they keep most of the current FO then nothing will really change in terms of how the team has been run in the last 5 years.

It was Bobby who orchestrated the Kawhi trade....Tolzman who had a big role in scouting guys like Siakam and FVV.....these guys are still here.

[Veepy]

Pessimistic. We are likely headed back to the dark days.

[Mikistan]

It's been 2 years in a row of me not watching every single game, and it's going to continue and become me joy watching most of the games.

After being a 9 year season ticket holder, it's not worth the value anymore.

Between officiating, and a generally poor atmosphere and product in arena, it's just not really that fun.

[C Court]

The Raps lose Masai’s cache around the league, which will impact the franchise.

That said, he’s left a legacy of how to do things the right way with this organization, so I expect the Raptors will continue to on the same path from a management style perspective.

Being optimistic, maybe Bobby and Tolzman will be able to make roster improvements where Masai had some blind spots.

[Grew]

Why is "Deeply Conflicted" not on the pole?

Of course I want to be optimistic...

Our management before Masai was just sooooo bad. It's scary to think what we might end up with. Especially if this ownership only cares about money.

[Beerpapi]

Score one for the anti-basketball crowd at MLSE. The ones in denial that the raps are the most valuable and important property. Back to pre-championship attitudes of leafs cfl and jays being the focus.

We will miss Masai’s presence and ambition in MLSE. People on this board will dissect the transactions as if they were metrics in this decision. To me it’s a bitch slap to the raps to make them shut up and dribble. Next guy will be a yes man and be happy with the scraps thrown our way.

[ForeverTFC]

Score one for the anti-basketball crowd at MLSE. The ones in denial that the raps are the most valuable and important property. Back to pre-championship attitudes of leafs cfl and jays being the focus.

We will miss Masai’s presence and ambition in MLSE. People on this board will dissect the transactions as if they were metrics in this decision. To me it’s a bitch slap to the raps to make them shut up and dribble. Next guy will be a yes man and be happy with the scraps thrown our way.

So very well said. This franchise and its fan base were treated with disdain and disrespect by not only the sports media and community, but also their owners. Things started to change when Larry increased his share to 20% and the hiring of Leiweke brought the recognition that the Raptors belong. In many ways this transition is exemplified in Masai who refused to “know his place” and was not shy about letting the world know that the Raptors are sleeping giants. And now here we are: no Leiweke, no Masai and Larry sidelined and on his way out the door.

I don’t expect our younger fanbase to appreciate what it was like to be a fan of this team in the 2000s or just what Masai meant and what he did, but there are people here who should know better.

[DatHomieYouHaTe]

Pessimistic. We are likely headed back to the dark days.

We already are in the dark days and it's because of Masai. Over the past 6 years we have been a poorly run team and a bottom feeder. We can't even tank proper. You need to open your eyes.

[Valard]

**** this franchise.

[JB7]

Score one for the anti-basketball crowd at MLSE. The ones in denial that the raps are the most valuable and important property. Back to pre-championship attitudes of leafs cfl and jays being the focus.

We will miss Masai’s presence and ambition in MLSE. People on this board will dissect the transactions as if they were metrics in this decision. To me it’s a bitch slap to the raps to make them shut up and dribble. Next guy will be a yes man and be happy with the scraps thrown our way.

So very well said. This franchise and its fan base were treated with disdain and disrespect by not only the sports media and community, but also their owners. Things started to change when Larry increased his share to 20% and the hiring of Leiweke brought the recognition that the Raptors belong. In many ways this transition is exemplified in Masai who refused to “know his place” and was not shy about letting the world know that the Raptors are giants. And now here we are: no Leiweke, no Masai and Larry sidelined and on his way out the door.

I don’t expect our younger fanbase to appreciate what it was like to be a fan of this team in the 2000s or just what Masai meant and what he did, but there are people here who should know better.

This is exactly it. The respect Masai built for this franchise both within the city and outside of it, cannot be overlooked. But him being shown the door like this, means the players in this league will see this team and ownership for what it truly is - a joke.

It was already difficult getting star players to come north of the border. Now it will be next to impossible.

We are not even seeing close to what the bottom of this is going to look like....

[Mr Funk]

It's hard to say until we know who the new president is, and if they will keep the current FO or clean house....if they keep most of the current FO then nothing will really change in terms of how the team has been run in the last 5 years.

It was Bobby who orchestrated the Kawhi trade....Tolzman who had a big role in scouting guys like Siakam and FVV.....these guys are still here.

If Bobby and Tolzman take over I'm not worried at all.

Regardless, I am so sick and tired of racist billionaires.

[Scase]

With an ownership that is in direct conflict with much of what this team, its brand, and its culture stand for,

I'm confused by this, they came out and said they are happy with the direction of the team and the roster, all of which Masai apparently built and put into place. So how can they be in direct conflict with the same stuff Masai was doing, while also supporting it?

I'm apathetic at the whole situation, but we've really gotta stop acting like MLSE is responsible for all the bad things in the universe and Masai was the only thing protecting us from the big baddies.

Like all they did was move on from Masai (so far), everyone else is all in the exact same positions. And if Masai is 100% responsible for where we are at now, then wtf has everyone else been doing? Direction is important, leadership is important, but largely nothing has changed. IMO this is a discussion down the line when we see the ramifications of this.

Because you’re missing the point.

It’s precisely that it was only Masai while everyone got extended that makes this so heartbreaking. Our owner made this move not to benefit the Raptors, but to heal his wounded ego. That’s who calls the shots now, and it didn’t take long for him to show us who he is and what type of people he will surround himself and this franchise with.

The guy steering the ship got released, that's not really unheard of. TBH they should've fired everyone, but I understand the optics of that as well as the work involved in having to backfill all those roles.

Why overhaul the entire roster of an underwhelming team, when you can just fire the coach. This is no different.

[Purple+Black]

I also think it’s the racist billionaire part that is sickening about all of this.