Masai/Leiweke Press Conference (Recap P31, Video P40)

[Hassassin]

There was no clear answer to direction yet. He could have easily been referring to our young pieces in Val/DeRozan/Ross/Acy. He still mentioned he hasn't even gotten his staff together to analyze the roster.

except he mentioned that he talked to jay triano talking about young CANADIAN players.

*coughs* wiggins

He could have been talking about any young Canadian player. He could have been talking about the three Canadians in the draft. He could have been talking about Melvin Ejim (Nigerian Canadian) who was in the Nigerian program last summer, but is playing for Canada this summer.

[TheGoodDoctor]

Happy to have Jay-Z Shuttlesworth here! (trademarked)


I really don't jump to the conclusion that we're tanking like so many people here are. When he's pushing young talent that really could be just making sure Ross and Valanciunas are getting good minutes.

But...you have to get a sense that some major changes in direction are going to happen. The fact that he didn't mention any names in particular as being the "good pieces" he's referring to leads me to believe that he definitely has a few ideas. The emphasis on "young talent" also doesn't mean necessarily that we're tanking but we could see some guys traded FOR younger talent (of course we would have to speculate that it would be guys like Lowry, Gay, DeRozan etc...if we want to net anything decent at least).

I can only hope that he does blow up this team, take some gambles and get us in the high end of the draft....if not I still trust he will make a lot wiser moves than BC. We'll see how it goes...

[MEDIC]

Casey's position hasn't been confirmed yet. BC's has already been confirmed. You might not care about why BC's wasn't there, that doesn't mean others don't. Stop being ignorant.

The purpose of this press conference was to introduce the new President of Basketball Operations & GM. It was also to discuss the future of the roster.

BC has nothing to do with either.

If it was about bringing the allstar game to Toronto or Marketing the Raptors, or re-branding the Raptors, BC would be the appropriate guy to be there.

[galacticos2]

There was no clear answer to direction yet. He could have easily been referring to our young pieces in Val/DeRozan/Ross/Acy. He still mentioned he hasn't even gotten his staff together to analyze the roster.

except he mentioned that he talked to jay triano talking about young CANADIAN players.

*coughs* wiggins

He could have been talking about any young Canadian player. He could have been talking about the three Canadians in the draft. He could have been talking about Melvin Ejim (Nigerian Canadian) who was in the Nigerian program last summer, but is playing for Canada this summer.

Wiggins was just one example, the poster I responded to mentioned current raptors.

[galacticos2]

Did anyone notice TL stated President AND GM Masai Ujiri? Isn't BC the current president?

[UnderdogRaptors]

@Sid_Seixeiro: 32 minutes of questions and nothing on Bargnani. Nothing. I'm offended. #raptors #ujiri
Lol

[MEDIC]

I'm glad they gave Masai the title of President. It makes it clear that Masai is an equal to BC & is simply operating in a different area.

[Rhettmatic]

Did anyone notice TL stated President AND GM Masai Ujiri? Isn't BC the current president?

He said that Masai was president of basketball ops and BC was president of business or some othersuch nonsense.

[tecumseh18]

Happy to have Jay-Z Shuttlesworth here! (trademarked)

What's the licensing fee?

[edit] Sure he didn't "say" anything, but he didn't foreclose any option - e.g. tanking - either. That's good.

[Primal]

He'll keep young players on the back end of the roster so Casey won't have to make the tough decision of playing old players like Aaron Gray and Alan Anderson

[carl_english]

Tomislav Zubcic is a definite Jim Kelly pick.

[MEDIC]

Did anyone notice TL stated President AND GM Masai Ujiri? Isn't BC the current president?

Masai is the President & GM of "Basketball Operations" (meaning building the roster & managing the players)

Not sure what BC's exact title is, but he is President of the business side. Marketing, Sales, etc.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I still like my Rudy Gay for Bledsoe, Butler offer.

[galacticos2]

Did anyone notice TL stated President AND GM Masai Ujiri? Isn't BC the current president?

He said that Masai was president of basketball ops and BC was president of business or some othersuch nonsense.

Thanks.

[DG88]

One thing I took note of is that Masai wants to build a small staff. Unlike Bryan who had huge front office staff. I think this will work better for us because the there will be a better focus then having 15 people throughout ideas from left to right. Masai also talked about putting young player at the end of our roster and to me that's a sign of getting late first and early second round picks that could be beneficial down the road for the team in trade situations.

[God Squad]

Ya my guess would be we go young. I also caught that hint of him watching closely to Canadian basketball (wiggans-myck)

[Smitch]

All I got is that BC is gone in one year.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I think we acquire a pick to take Myck Kabongo.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

All I got is that BC is gone in one year.

Or sooner.

[TheGoodDoctor]

I really hope he trades away as much as he can for younger talent.