Masai Year End Presser @ 10am

[WWSRD]

IMO, his comments about assessing's ownerships commitment to winning may be in reference to the Kawhi negotiations.

No one really knows what happened there, but it's possible, MLSE didn't want to go hard into the tax for the foreseeable future to make the moves Kawhi was insisting on.

I'm sure Kawhi and co. were being annoying AF, but, did ownership's make a decision to blow up a contender because they thought they could re-build quick and make more money?


Obviously they always give Kawhi the max, but did they refuse to trade for and extend Paul George. Was a Westbrook type deal/contract on the table?

Were they trying to avoid bad money so much, they lost their window for another ring?

[Pooh_Jeter]

Masai is very smart the way he positions himself.

If he leaves he can position it as "ownership didn't give me what I need to be successful" and if he stays he can be the guy that pushed ownership to invest more in the team, city, etc.

Basically a win win situation for him. There can often be a disconnect between management and ownership after a lot of time together and winning a ship causes a lot of people to get big heads.

I'll agree that Masai may be trying to position himself and cover his bases. However, I don't think Masai will be able to make that kind of a pivot and be successful optically...

Make no mistake, for the most part, the reporters in this town work for MLSE ownership. No way, does MLSE not have a spin of their own IF Masai were to jump ship, and their narrative will be pumped much louder than Masai's because fans will demand an answer for the split. I have been seriously contemplating what Masai could ask for from MLSE that they would not be open to, outside of things that are legally impossible (CRTC, etc)? I just can't really think of any because so much of the heavy lifting has already been done.

If Masai bails, I feel it will be toward those "other aspirations" outside of the sports world he was alluding... I just don't see him being able to successfully spin his way into getting people to understand taking Ballmer money from the Clippers.

That is fair, even if the media can't outright make Masai the villain, they will work to devalue what he did just like what happened with Kawhi.

It's tough to say, but it feels like the stuff Masai wants or desires may be stuff that you simply can't accomplish with a simple ask to ownership. Improving the visibility of the Raptors relies on so many different factors.

[Ackshun]

All this "world team" and improving visibility for a 27 win team.

The examples of Futbol or MLB clubs, include teams that actually are perennial winners. They have global recognition partly due to marketing but it wouldn't have been possible if they weren't serious championship threats on a consistent basis.

The Rapw have been a very good team over the past decade. The championship is nice but if we are Man City or whoever of the NBA, it'll take more than one ring and a few divisional banners.

[VanWest82]

He left Denver and only took Tolzman. I don't think that's as big a deal for a highly connected person like Masai. Anywhere he goes he's going to be able handpick people he wants to work with.

Bringing Tolzman isn't nothing. It's possible he'll look at starting completely fresh within the NBA as a benefit but I bet it's something he'd rather not have to do, especially at 50. I'd add Clippers bloated payroll and lack of picks to the con side as well.

I don't think the second part is anything more than a temporary situation. Anyway, he's reportedly negotiating at the moment without any of this certainty.

Temporary or not, being stuck in Tampa with no fans in the middle of a pandemic with mounting revenue losses lends itself to a pretty strong negotiating position in favour of MLSE, especially given the way our season was going. Waiting until after the season with the prospect of moving back to Toronto where a growing percentage of the populace is now vaccinated, and with other suitors also having the ability to make offers lends itself to a much better negotiating position for Masai. Timing was relevant here, and so it doesn't make sense to suggest him not doing an extension in season is somehow evidence of the fact that Masai might want to leave.

[Ramed Nazored]

Yep. Best part is 7Footer doubling down and saying I'm not following forum rules by attacking that poster lol. Howard Mass is great but he made a mistake making a known tWo diehard forum mod. Guess him defending his buddies should be expected.

Really approaching some 1984 level **** here with what can and can't be said.

He’s a terrible moderator. He claims to “hate giving warnings”, yet he’s given me more warnings in a two month period than I’d revived in the previous three years. I actually had him muted before he became a mod, as i considered him little else than an ironic **** poster. He consistently baits and trolls users, he’s wildly inconsistent and unclear in the way he applies the rules (he told me I wouldn’t be banned following my last “warning”, and I ended up getting banned anyways), he’s not impartial and doesn’t even pretend to be, and he has a ridiculously quick trigger when it comes to meting out punishment. Just awful.

I’m sure I’ll be banned for this.

The ironic and 1s from some folks aren't helping either. They know it and love it. After all, they're all chums on their discord so why wouldn't they have each other's backs here.

The ironic and-1’s are cringe inducing, but not quite as cringe inducing as this alleged discord.

Please stop derailing the thread.

[Skeezo]

Masai is very smart the way he positions himself.

If he leaves he can position it as "ownership didn't give me what I need to be successful" and if he stays he can be the guy that pushed ownership to invest more in the team, city, etc.

Basically a win win situation for him. There can often be a disconnect between management and ownership after a lot of time together and winning a ship causes a lot of people to get big heads.

I'll agree that Masai may be trying to position himself and cover his bases. However, I don't think Masai will be able to make that kind of a pivot and be successful optically...

Make no mistake, for the most part, the reporters in this town work for MLSE ownership. No way, does MLSE not have a spin of their own IF Masai were to jump ship, and their narrative will be pumped much louder than Masai's because fans will demand an answer for the split. I have been seriously contemplating what Masai could ask for from MLSE that they would not be open to, outside of things that are legally impossible (CRTC, etc)? I just can't really think of any because so much of the heavy lifting has already been done.

If Masai bails, I feel it will be toward those "other aspirations" outside of the sports world he was alluding... I just don't see him being able to successfully spin his way into getting people to understand taking Ballmer money from the Clippers.

That is fair, even if the media can't outright make Masai the villain, they will work to devalue what he did just like what happened with Kawhi.

It's tough to say, but it feels like the stuff Masai wants or desires may be stuff that you simply can't accomplish with a simple ask to ownership. Improving the visibility of the Raptors relies on so many different factors.

I agree that that are many factors to consider... Unfortunately, some are uncontrollable and some are simply about continuing to put the time in and building your brand in global markets. Truly the fastest way of building your brand in new markets is either having a generational talent, a championship team with regular TNT/ESPN/ABC coverage, or having a successful International player from said market playing on your team.

As I mentioned earlier, from a competitive standpoint. The only next level things I could think of are having some form of permanent scouting bases/operations in Africa and Europe, as well as having an offseason base somewhere in LA, Vegas, Florida from players and coaches to work on their game.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Bringing Tolzman isn't nothing. It's possible he'll look at starting completely fresh within the NBA as a benefit but I bet it's something he'd rather not have to do, especially at 50. I'd add Clippers bloated payroll and lack of picks to the con side as well.

I think Tolzman was the video coordinator at the time. He got a promotion here. I'm sure there's more than a few Raptor employees that he could easily poach under the premise of a promotion (which MLSE has almost never gotten in the way of). 50 is pretty young for an NBA President.

Temporary or not, being stuck in Tampa with no fans in the middle of a pandemic with mounting revenue losses lends itself to a pretty strong negotiating position in favour of MLSE, especially given the way our season was going. Waiting until after the season with the prospect of moving back to Toronto where a growing percentage of the populace is now vaccinated, and with other suitors also having the ability to make offers lends itself to a much better negotiating position for Masai. Timing was relevant here, and so it doesn't make sense to suggest him not doing an extension in season is somehow evidence of the fact that Masai might want to leave.

No, he'll negotiate based on what he can get somewhere else. Washington has been waiting for years now and their owner is a blank cheque guy. I strongly suspect Ballmer will be more than willing to top whatever MLSE will offer.

[MavCarter]

It's not completely unknown, it's Tim Lieweke and his brother (among others). The whole rumour is predicated on the relationship between Tim & Masai, and the fact that they could potentially offer a small ownership stake and carte blanche over the basketball side of things (the hockey team starts next season).

The NBA bidding process is much more competitive than the NHL. You would have to be 100% certain that TL and his potential ownership group would be the only bidders/highest bidders for a potential team.

Conversely, the Liewekes already have the dual-purpose arena ready, and are proving out their viability as professional sports franchise owners with the launch of the Kraken. Coupled with Tim's direct experience in the NBA, I don't see the combination of a
state of the art arena ($1B investment in Seattle's KeyArena) + proven ownership losing. Since it's doubtful there will be many top-tier suitors willing to assume the risk of constructing an arena in advance, this puts them in a unique situation.

The arena is city owned. Oakview just agreed to renovate and operate it. They don't choose who occupies it, and even if they did choose who occupied it would be highly unlikely that they shun another franchise. Leiwekes brother owns a small stake in the NHL team but leiweke himself (or his company) have no ownership stake in the seattle franchise. Leiweke is in the business of building and operating arenas not managing teams. The only reason he was so involved with the seattle nhl team is because they needed a sports team to justify the arena reno

[bluerap23]

Right after talking about ownership commitment he referenced competing (or not competing) for a play-in spot. I wonder if there were board members that did not want the tank and gave the team a hard time about it.

[planetmars]

Right after talking about ownership commitment he referenced competing (or not competing) for a play-in spot. I wonder if there were board members that did not want the tank and gave the team a hard time about it.

I don't think you really have to wonder. I mean, Sportsnet and TSN are owned by MLSE and their reporters were all so shocked and bewildered that the Raptors would sit Lowry for "rest" for that critical game against the Wizards.

These were the same guys interviewing Masai during his presser last night.

[djsunyc]

Read on Twitter

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[WaltFrazier]

What is MLSE doing that is so unworkable thats had to change? What are they **** up now? I thought MU had that all fixed himself, but why are you not listening to your leader? And our media... nothing about this ever, crickets. So useless.

Exactly, he got the OVO facility, the ASG, the money is there if needed. What more does he want?

As an aside, was that ASG actually a plus for Toronto in the eyes of players? Or did the terrible cold end up being a net negative for the Raps?

What?

Do you really not know what I meant? I'm saying the ASG was a a great idea have us host it. But with the extra cold weather, did it unfortunately ending up hurting the players' impression of TO. That is, hurt the Raps i potential free agency. Because despite the awesome dunk contest, all the US media talked about was how freezing cold that weekend was.

[C_Money]

Well if he’s going to Africa in a couple days it might still be awhile before we find out if he’s staying or not.

[WaltFrazier]

I wonder how much of it has to do with the Raps getting the short shrift of playing in Tampa while the Canadian NHL teams got their own bubble-like season. Considering the size of MLSE, I'm pretty sure they were heavily involved in making the NHL season happen considering, as everyone else has said, the ownership stake of Bell and Rogers.

On the other hand, the Raptors were relegated to Tampa. I'm not sure how much strong arming ownership tried with the NBA, the province and the city to make something work but looking at the complete lack of enforcement of the 14 day quarantine period for travelers, I'm pretty sure something could have been worked out whereby the Raptors would have been able to play in Toronto.

NBA teams don't take commercial flights. Visiting teams could have been ferried from the airport to a designated hotel to the arena and back with minimal contact with anyone else.

Maybe thats the kind of support that Masai was looking for from ownership. MLSE is big. They are a significant player in professional sports. They should be pushing their weight around when it comes to the interests of the Raptors. Instead, I get the sense that they're content with letting the NBA dictate the terms of their relationship. Maybe its an ingrained part of the franchise's culture looking back at how they and the province acquiesced on ProLine and how they let the league change the terms of the draft on them multiple times.

I don't think the government was ever going to make an exception for the Raps this past season, even though as you say with charter flights and ferrying right to the arena, it would have been quite doable, especially given how porous the border was anyway. But this upcoming season there should be no excuse not to have the Raptors start the season in Toronto. But with our weak, optics-obsessed Liberal government, I can see them having to start in Tampa again, with a big return planned for January or whenever.

Didn't Masai say he was going to call Trudeau after the presser?

I wonder if he is holding out the return to Toronto as the sticking point for his own re-signing? Either sincerely, or as a negotiating excuse to leave.

[WaltFrazier]

Given what Masai has done, he's now putting pressure on ownership to provide for him the necessary tools for another ring. I love it to be honest. If he leaves, that means he didn't like what ownership has told him and they're not really about winning. It is what it is at this point

But that would be a false narrative on Masai's part, if indeed that is what he is setting up. I don't think there is anything MLSE wouldn't give him in terms of "tools for another ring."

[2019nbachamps]

IMO, his comments about assessing's ownerships commitment to winning may be in reference to the Kawhi negotiations.

No one really knows what happened there, but it's possible, MLSE didn't want to go hard into the tax for the foreseeable future to make the moves Kawhi was insisting on.

I'm sure Kawhi and co. were being annoying AF, but, did ownership's make a decision to blow up a contender because they thought they could re-build quick and make more money?


Obviously they always give Kawhi the max, but did they refuse to trade for and extend Paul George. Was a Westbrook type deal/contract on the table?

Were they trying to avoid bad money so much, they lost their window for another ring?

I doubt it. Kawhi was as good as gone. Only time in history the finals mvp leaves in the summer. Woj’s reporting was the Raptors were reluctant to trade Siakam because they doubted Kawhi was serious about resigning.

If Kawhi was serious he could’ve told the Raptors he’d resign if they got him PG (or whatever moves he wanted). This is exactly what he did with the Clippers.

[2019nbachamps]

Also this stuff about MLSE needing to give Masai what he needs is nonsense. Here are the facts:
1. MLSE has made Masai one of the highest paid execs in the NBA
2. MLSE have resigned Bobby upon Masai’s request
3. MLSE have resigned Nurse upon Masai’s request

When you look beyond the Raptors, MLSE have invested in making the Leafs competitive again. It didn’t work out but they paid big bucks for guys like Brian Burke, Mike Babcock, etc.

MLSE made TFC the biggest spending club in all of MLS resulting in 3 final appearances and 1 title.

I’m sure if Kawhi stuck around MLSE would’ve agreed to pay the luxury tax. Guys like Green, Ibaka, maybe Powell would still be with us.

Anyways I think a lot of this is noise and Masai will be back. He’s in a really good situation and shouldn’t take it for granted himself.

[YelloC]

I wonder if Masai is somewhat annoyed by Kyles complete refusal to do any recruiting even when it comes to our own free agents.
As much as I love Kyle Lowry, I’ve always been confused by his reluctance to put good players around him.
Is it because he knows that if they don’t sign big free agents, that leaves more money for himself?

[MavCarter]

Right after talking about ownership commitment he referenced competing (or not competing) for a play-in spot. I wonder if there were board members that did not want the tank and gave the team a hard time about it.

Yeah that caught my attention. With the uncertainty around this roster i wonder if part of his ask is having the full autonomy to choose the direction of the team whether its a full rebuild via the draft or not without having to pitch it to the board. I know in the past he's had to make detailed pitches to the board on the direction of the team or about certain trades (i think it was rudy gay?). Its probably standard for most gms to get permission from owners on big moves but masais proved he knows what he's doing and he should not have to ask people who who specialize in communications working at bell and rogers for permission on basketball related decisions

[Tortiglioni]

How can someone watch this and not realize that he's gone?