Pulse Check: Deeply conflicted about the Toronto Raptors moving forward

[Purple+Black]

With an ownership that is in direct conflict with much of what this team, its brand, and its culture stand for, I don’t know how I feel about our future. I also feel like my unconditional support for this franchise as a fan is being tested for the first time.

I’m not even upset that we’re moving on from Masai, I knew that day would come eventually. It’s more about how it was done and what my gut tells me this inevitably means for this franchise and brand moving forward.

I’m truly and sincerely wishing for an NBA expansion announcement with a 2nd Canadian team right about now. This facade of stability in my opinion could be very short-lived.

Two comments Pelley made were specially off-putting to me:

1. When asked about his own legacy, he proceeded to claim legacies are for Churchill and Shakespeare - this in my opinion was a direct shot at Masai’s earned influence as a leader and his own aspirations beyond the Raptors (from which the Raptors have benefited in countless ways over the years)
2. When asked about the brand and culture that Masai has built, Pelley says that the true test of brand and culture are in how that brand survives beyond Masai, and that if the brand suffers after Masai then it was never really built in the right way. This statement reeks of pretentious ignorance and an utter disregard for the state of this franchise when Masai first inherited it. With countless disadvantages, Masai dug the only Canadian franchise our of the endless pit Colangelo had buried us into and took us to a championship. His brand compensated for the disadvantages and they will not disappear tomorrow but Masai’s brand will disappear. This ownership has no idea how the NBA differs from other leagues and the unique challenges that the Raptors have faced over the years.

[Mikistan]

Imo poll needs apathetic as 3rd option

[Purple+Black]

Imo poll needs apathetic as 3rd option

Added

[Tor_Raps]

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.

[Purple+Black]

I wonder what happens if Jurassic Park is filled with fans who protest this ownership at some point.

[LoveMyRaps]

Shambles.

[ArthurVandelay]

Conflicted should be an option

Thats me

I can make an argument for optimism and pessimism.

[Nature]

Depends on the new president. If it's Bobby, I'm extremely pessimistic.

[junot111]

definitely not optimistic. Look at the Joe Dumars disaster class in NO. Masai wasn't perfect in the past few years, but it can be SO much worse

[tsherkin]

Pessimistic, no doubt.

[cb4_jo6]

I would love to see season seat holders not renew their tickets

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Hello Darkness, my old friend

[OakleyDokely]

[Valard]

Disgusted by this franchise. After waiting 6 years on the waiting list, I was offered tickets two weeks ago. I've wanted these so damn bad in the past. Now? Hell no. I refused them. Over the past few years they have price gouged fans, put a **** product on the floor, transitioned into a **** ownership, and now lost Masai. I won't spend a dollar on the Raps.

[Dalek]

I think there is a new economic climate in Canada since Trump and it has a ripple effect. Moving from Masai means we are out on this supposed crazy summer of trading because you expect without a president in place we won't make huge deals to take on big contracts. I think we will keep things under the tax. Whoever the new guy is that takes over will probably want to have as clean as books as possible coming into this year. So I think the bold times are done for now.

[wow09]

I've been a fan for 30 years. Masai was the Raptors.

There was always a feeling that we will be OK with Masai here.

Sad day for this franchise.

[MoneyBall]

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.

[dhackett1565]

I'm very optimistic about the on court product but unfortunately I had to go pessimistic because Ed Rogers is absolutely going to ruin everything.

[wolfv]

MU was the face and soul of this franchise. He should have been a lifer with the raptors. In one of the most undesirable places for players to play, things can get really ugly. I felt confident with MU at the helm. Getting flashbacks of pre 2013 raptors

[JB7]

I'm very optimistic about the on court product but unfortunately I had to go pessimistic because Ed Rogers is absolutely going to ruin everything.

Honestly, I was excited about this upcoming season, and now I have just completely lost interest.

I can't imagine the players will be happy about this, and as such, I would not be surprised to see it have a ripple effect on the season.