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

[fredericklove]

Even though MU was pretty tight-lipped in the PC, with the heavy emphasis on growing Canadian basketball, it's hard not to think the plan is to tank for Andrew Wiggins. But maybe that's just wishful thinking.

LOL. Really? That's what you got from that?

Yes, it is. Ujiri talked about young, up-and-coming players on the Canadian youth teams that he couldn't mention by name. That screams Andrew Wiggins to me, unless you know of other under-19 Canadian players that are sure shot NBA talents.

No it isn't about Wiggins, he's just using that Canadian youth team as reference, basically he heavily favors on developing the young guys, and based upon he's got scouting as his background, so probably that development of young talent within the roster is critically important on Masai's part. Tbh, like if you drafted this young kid, you better develop him. Maybe it's Masai hearing all about how Casey's not developing Jonas and Ross, so that's why he's talkin' about the importance of young talent development (Canadian kids reference) because they are a huge component of team success.

[ishoy123]

MU kept bringing up developing young talent and rebuilding the right way, also talked a bit about tearing it down, all signs points to duking it out with the bobcats next year for the #1 pick

I thought he kept saying developing young talent at the "back-end of the roster"? Does that mean tanking? Who's at the "front-end" of the roster? It could mean that play young players more instead of Aaron Gray and Alan Anderson but then, if DC did that last season, we would've probably won more games.

He did. I think this means Quincy Acy, and Terrence Ross, maybe Tomislav Zubcic.

[wtcantfw]

LOL. Really? That's what you got from that?

Yes, it is. Ujiri talked about young, up-and-coming players on the Canadian youth teams that he couldn't mention by name. That screams Andrew Wiggins to me, unless you know of other under-19 Canadian players that are sure shot NBA talents.

He talked about the growth of basketball here in general, I didn't get the impression he was pointing us at drafting Wiggins.

Like I said, maybe it's just wishful thinking. But not naming names gives me the impression there are specific targets.

[carlosrogers34]

There were no tea leaves to read. He didn't tip his hat on players, style, or anything.

The only conclusive thing is that he intends to fill the end of the roster with young players (vs retreads), and grow players here.

I think the comment about young players is enough of a hint about the direction of the team. You can succeed with young guys on the bench if you have strong veteran leadership in your starting five like Indy and San Antonio. But if your starting five is relatively young and your bench is also inexperienced, you're not going to win many games. I think we're heading into the high lottery for at least the next 2-3 years.

[SwaggWagg]

[Inevitable]

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.

[MEDIC]

Except he never asked a basketball question. He asked a business question.

I wouldn't even call it a business question. It's obvious why BC isn't there.

It was a dumb question with the only intention being trying to create some kind of drama.

[Hassassin]

Yes, it is. Ujiri talked about young, up-and-coming players on the Canadian youth teams that he couldn't mention by name. That screams Andrew Wiggins to me, unless you know of other under-19 Canadian players that are sure shot NBA talents.

He talked about the growth of basketball here in general, I didn't get the impression he was pointing us at drafting Wiggins.

Like I said, maybe it's just wishful thinking. But not naming names gives me the impression there are specific targets.

He also could be referring to one of the 3 Canadians in the draft.

[TheRealBlizzy]

This will not be a complete tank or rebuild folks

totally agree, that last part of pc was most news worthy.

raptors have some good pieces, we can grow and build upon that. sounds like re-tool

That was always pretty much obvious. It's only the fans here that "want" that to happen.

I CANT WAIT FOR RUDY GAYS BUM ASS TO GET TRADED AND SEE YOUR POSTS. IM COMING BACK TO THIS.

[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

[pbj]

Alright guys pack it up, nothing to work with here.. we'll reconvene in 2 or 3 weeks.

[galacticos2]

Except he never asked a basketball question. He asked a business question.

I wouldn't even call it a business question. It's obvious why BC isn't there.

It was a dumb question with the only intention being trying to create some kind of drama.

Considering this board complains a whole lot about Rogers/Bell controlling media and we don't get good journalism or real answers, I consider Simmons and Toth's questions a breath of fresh air.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I still think we go young, and try to construct a nucleus around Jonas V.

That means Lowry and Gay are gone imo.

[22haytham22]

Any other interviews coming up? Maybe with Sid and TIm?

[MEDIC]

"LOL. Really?? That's what you got from that??" -- MEDIC

Sorry Dude. Didn't mean to offend you.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Has he traded DeMar yet?

[joseph235]

Any other interviews coming up? Maybe with Sid and TIm?

He's going to be on the FAn590 at 6pm, he's also gonna be on the 4-7 show on tsn radio too but I don't know at what time.

[ishoy123]

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 wasn't talking about the Raptors. He was talking about how Toronto is a good basketball city overall, by pumping out young players like Wiggins, Bennett, Kabongo, and he wants to continue to help the city in that aspect.

[MEDIC]

Except he never asked a basketball question. He asked a business question.

I wouldn't even call it a business question. It's obvious why BC isn't there.

It was a dumb question with the only intention being trying to create some kind of drama.

Considering this board complains a whole lot about Rogers/Bell controlling media and we don't get good journalism or real answers, I consider Simmons and Toth's questions a breath of fresh air.

I guess.

I could really care less why BC wasn't there. He's been moved to a new position & he isn't Masai's superior. . Núff said.

Might as well ask why DC isn't there.

[galacticos2]

I wouldn't even call it a business question. It's obvious why BC isn't there.

It was a dumb question with the only intention being trying to create some kind of drama.

Considering this board complains a whole lot about Rogers/Bell controlling media and we don't get good journalism or real answers, I consider Simmons and Toth's questions a breath of fresh air.

I guess.

I could really care less why BC wasn't there. He's been moved to a new position & he isn't Masai's superior. . Núff said.


Might as well ask why DC isn't there.

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.