Masai and Bobby are Asleep at the Wheel

[fbalmeida]

I've picked up on a little detail here that seriously irks me and leaves me concerned that Masai and Bobby are asleep at the wheel, while other teams are taking care of business.

The Lakers, following AD's calf strain, tried playing a few games with what they had. AD's last game was February 14th vs Denver.

So they beat the Timberwolves.
Lose to the Nets.
Lose to Miami.
Lose to the Wizards.
and Lose to Utah.

And so on February 26th, they pick up a recently waived Damian Jones on a 10-day contract.

He's nothing special.
25 years old.
6-11.
245 pounds.
An able bodied Center.

And he then plays 8 minutes vs the Warriors.
7 minutes vs the Suns.
A start and 14 minutes vs the Kings.
A start and 15 minutes vs the Pacers.
A start and 21 minutes vs the Warriors again.

And they pick their game back up to a point where they start playing better, and winning more games than they would have.

He's been super efficient at the dunker spot. 90.9 FG%. Reliable from the FT line. Protects the rim.
And again, nothing special. 5.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block per 13.4 minutes

And yet, Damian Jones is better, bigger, younger, and cheaper than Aron Baynes.

A simple, quick, and easy roster solution to a clear and evident roster problem.

So in the spirit of my "Trade for Willy Hernangomez thread" (viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2056485), In which I defend that a small and precise set of minor transactions is likely more important at this point than making some big splash, I respectfully ask...



What the **** are Masai and Bobby doing?!

Because if we're certainly not in the callow, antithetical, and plainly non-serious business of tanking, they have also provided precisely zero indication of concern for making necessary and frankly, simple, obvious, perfectly accessible improvements to the roster.

Evading language filter. Warned.
niQ

[Mascot]

players have to want to play for Toronto, and they dont. Also, any team with LeBron can win any game, no matter whos on it.

but we do need to trade Patrick McCaw and cash for Mike Muscala. He is 12 game Bargnani lol

[Stubby]

Maybe they don't think Damian Jones of the world are the answer? Maybe they have a deal and are holding out for more at the deadline. This season has been a let down but I don't think either Bobby or Masai have forgotten how to do their job... In fact, they've been so good at their job that competition probably reluctantly answers their calls. If Masai calls me asking me about Austin Rivers... Imma take another look at Austin Rivers real hard before moving him.

[fbalmeida]

It would just be nice and reassuring to my endocrine system to have something remotely resembling a mission statement from Masai or Bobby's mouth regarding this season.

The closest thing we have to that was Grange having reported a Masai "We’ll be okay" text message, following Serge Ibaka's unexpected signing with the Clippers.

Well then, OK I guess?

[bluerap23]

I've picked up on a little detail here that seriously irks me and leaves me concerned that Masai and Bobby are asleep at the wheel, while other teams are taking care of business.

The Lakers, following AD's calf strain, tried playing a few games with what they had. AD's last game was February 14th vs Denver.

So they beat the Timberwolves.
Lose to the Nets.
Lose to Miami.
Lose to the Wizards.
and Lose to Utah.

And so on February 26th, they pick up a recently waived Damian Jones on a 10-day contract.

He's nothing special.
25 years old.
6-11.
245 pounds.
An able bodied Center.

And he then plays 8 minutes vs the Warriors.
7 minutes vs the Suns.
A start and 14 minutes vs the Kings.
A start and 15 minutes vs the Pacers.
A start and 21 minutes vs the Warriors again.

And they pick their game back up to a point where they start playing better, and winning more games than they would have.

He's been super efficient at the dunker spot. 90.9 FG%. Reliable from the FT line. Protects the rim.
And again, nothing special. 5.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block per 13.4 minutes

And yet, Damian Jones is better, bigger, younger, and cheaper than Aron Baynes.

A simple, quick, and easy roster solution to a clear and evident roster problem.

So in the spirit of my "Trade for Willy Hernangomez thread" (viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2056485), In which I defend that a small and precise set of minor transactions is likely more important at this point than making some big splash, I respectfully ask...



What the **** are Masai and Bobby doing?!

Because if we're certainly not in the callow, antithetical, and plainly non-serious business of tanking, they have also provided precisely zero indication of concern for making necessary and frankly, simple, obvious, perfectly accessible improvements to the roster.

Bro: take a look at your signature. Take a breath. This is a reset season.

[pr0gr4m]

Might be evidence of a slight tank. It makes sense.

As a manager of a NBA team it must be hard to keep fans happy and improve every year.

They'll say this year was tough. Played out of a hotel, protocol, uncertainty, etc.

Next season the record is better. Label that on organic growth. Get hopeful for playoffs. Everyone keeps their jobs.

It makes sense from a contention point of view. I would argue that Cade turns us into a contender.

He's a big two guard. That and a playmaking defensive center is exactly what we're missing.

[Brinbe]

lol they're evaluating. it's hard to make moves on the margins when you don't want to make any big waves or splashes and it's tough to do without taking away that cap flexibility they crave for next fa period

and it's hard because this season has been so crazy and unlucky that it's unfair to tear it down based on all that. in a normal season things would have probably been different.

if not for covid wiping us out before the asg we'd be on a nice run right now.

but they will have to decide on norm/kyle at some point and go from there.

patience.

[tecumseh18]

As a seasons ticket holder who is so glad I don't have to pay for this year, I'm relaxed. When Masai used to give regular press conferences, he never shied away from giving drive-by critiques of various Raptors players. So I think he knows what the problem is. If he doesn't do anything and lets the team lose, while observing that Raps are no longer a deep enough team to compete over the course of a season, well, draw your own conclusions. Hint - it's a conclusion you have been heretofore resistant to draw.

Anyway, we'll see action over the next week. Masai is a tough negotiator (even with MLSE over his contract?). He'll literally take it to the last minute before the trade deadline, as he did with the PJ Tucker deal.

[LBJKB24MJ23]

not envious of being Masai and Bobby at the moment. they can not win unless they somehow 'danny ainge' any deal

someone will complain if the Raps got Damian Jones and started him over Boucher or Jones is taking Boucher's minutes etc etc. lol

[ratul]

It's because no one gives an eff about b-ball as much. The three point spam, the bs collusion, the stacking of teams, the ticky tack fouls, the horrible end of game, the lack of afternoon games. It's so pointless and basically become AAU. Happy to check out on all of this and I wouldn't be surprised if Masai is just spending his time on zillow looking for houses in DC.

[TD2FutureStar]

players have to want to play for Toronto, and they dont. Also, any team with LeBron can win any game, no matter whos on it.

but we do need to trade Patrick McCaw and cash for Mike Muscala. He is 12 game Bargnani lol

That's not true in the slightest, this year especially. The team is playing in Tampa for the rest of the year so location is no longer a barrier. Then you factor in the coaching staff, development team and medical and literally every fringe guy would be begging to play for us. Anyone looking for a chance to make a name say what we've done with FVV, Siakam and others and would be thrilled to play here. Try again, because that ain't it.

[Raps in 4]

They've clearly checked out mentally as they are going to Washington.

[ATLTimekeeper]

This criticism is part of a disturbing trend that Masai and Bobby are negligent, and I believe it was at its worst with the completely irrational "he spends his summers in Africa" slam he used to get. All part of the same ludicrous river of angst. It's absurd to think that these are do nothing people, or that they're ignorant of the problems with the team and lax in their responsibilities.

As for the specific argument, they did use their 10 day option twice, first with Donte Hall and now with Henry Ellenson, who has played decently in his 2 games (a positive in 2 blowouts). I don't think the two situations are even comparable, if AD, Schroeder AND KCP were all out at the same time, Damion Jones playing 13 minutes a night is going to have a negligible effect.

Anyway, onto the next weak vent. There's a few days before the deadline.

[Badonkadonk]

It would just be nice and reassuring to my endocrine system to have something remotely resembling a mission statement from Masai or Bobby's mouth regarding this season.

The closest thing we have to that was Grange having reported a Masai "We’ll be okay" text message, following Serge Ibaka's unexpected signing with the Clippers.

Well then, OK I guess?

Imagine telegraphing your intentions to rival teams and potential negotiating partners so clearly.

I hope Masai and Bobby keep pissing off casual fans.

[Oakvillehoops]

Masai and Bobby are absolutely MIA this season.

You hear nothing about them, they haven’t even made a statement on the position and direction of our team. This season has be losing huge respect for Masai.

When you go back through history, Kyle is responsible for our chip. Not Masai

Masai traded Kyle to NY
Kyle made the organization keep rookie FVV
Kyle forced Masai to trade for Ibaka, when Masai wanted to “stand Pat”
Kyle and Kawhi pushed for a Marc Gasol type trade

Bobby made the kawhi trade. Just a brief history of details people may have forgot

Truth is, all Masai ever wants to do is evaluate and say nothing, unless he’s positive he’s ripping someone off.

[C Court]

So in two short years Masai and Bobby have gone from being the #1 NBA executive team to a couple of bumbling clowns asleep at the wheel, without a plan?

Interesting.

[WuTang_CMB]

Masai and Bobby are absolutely MIA this season.

You hear nothing about them, they haven’t even made a statement on the position and direction of our team. This season has be losing huge respect for Masai.

When you go back through history, Kyle is responsible for our chip. Not Masai

Masai traded Kyle to NY
Kyle made the organization keep rookie FVV
Kyle forced Masai to trade for Ibaka, when Masai wanted to “stand Pat”
Kyle and Kawhi pushed for a Marc Gasol type trade

Bobby made the kawhi trade. Just a brief history of details people may have forgot

Truth is, all Masai ever wants to do is evaluate and say nothing, unless he’s positive he’s ripping someone off.

lol pls stop troll

[Duffman100]

Last time we said this, they traded for Kawhi and won the title.

I think they probably see Damian Jones as 'not really worth it'.

[Danny1616]

You realize that the Lakers have Lebron, Harrell, Kuzma, Schroeder, Morris, Kuzma, Matthews etc still playing right?

We aren't just missing our best starter this year (Fred), but we are also missing our two best interior defenders in Siakam and OG.

Yeah if the Lakers were missing AD, Harrell and Schroeder, I don't think they would be winning many games either

[Oakvillehoops]

Masai and Bobby are absolutely MIA this season.

You hear nothing about them, they haven’t even made a statement on the position and direction of our team. This season has be losing huge respect for Masai.

When you go back through history, Kyle is responsible for our chip. Not Masai

Masai traded Kyle to NY
Kyle made the organization keep rookie FVV
Kyle forced Masai to trade for Ibaka, when Masai wanted to “stand Pat”
Kyle and Kawhi pushed for a Marc Gasol type trade

Bobby made the kawhi trade. Just a brief history of details people may have forgot

Truth is, all Masai ever wants to do is evaluate and say nothing, unless he’s positive he’s ripping someone off.

lol pls stop troll

Which of the facts I mentioned are trolling? Research all the known details on those transactions. Ibaka was the first trade ever that Lowry demanded the team make. And fact FVV didn’t get cut because of Kyle.