Masai Ujiri: Raptors At Letting Players Grow Stage

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 4:17 pm

The Toronto Raptors have six players on expiring contracts worth a total of $30 million with only Amir Johnson and Lou Williams being defined as core assets in that group.

Masai Ujiri is unhurried to make a move despite being at the top of the Eastern Conference with a chance to go deep in the playoffs.

“We’ve got young players,” he said. “When you take a job, you have to assess the guys you need and the guys you don’t. Some of that we did right away and some of it we waited.

“But now we’re at the stage where we let the players grow. You need to let your players grow. We will continue to look at our team, but the key is we have young players and they players will hopefully continue to get better and continue to grow.”

It has been exactly a year since the Raptors traded Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings, but Ujiri doesn't want to make another bold move at this time.

“This is the time to let it sit and play itself out,” Ujiri said. “It’s not the time to play poker, not now.”

Via Michael Grange/Sportsnet.ca

DaddyCool19 · Post #2 » by **DaddyCool19** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 4:43 pm

How about forcing Casey to feed Valanciunas more? That guy should atleast take 10 shots per game instead of letting DD take long 2s (33,6% of his shots are from there...and he only makes 28,7% of them while having a career FG around 38% from there. Thats not good)

Rated T By CBRA · Post #3 » by **Rated T By CBRA** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 4:51 pm

Kaioken wrote:How about forcing Casey to feed Valanciunas more? That guy should atleast take 10 shots per game instead of letting DD take long 2s (33,6% of his shots are from there...and he only makes 28,7% of them while having a career FG around 38% from there. Thats not good)

They've increased his touches by quiet a bit, watching the games Lowry feeds him more than he used to. Still a guard-dominant team, Valanciounas will have to get his production up by crashing the boards and pick/roll more-so than 1v1 post-up situations.

bluerap23 · Post #4 » by **bluerap23** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 4:57 pm

Kaioken wrote:How about forcing Casey to feed Valanciunas more? That guy should atleast take 10 shots per game instead of letting DD take long 2s (33,6% of his shots are from there...and he only makes 28,7% of them while having a career FG around 38% from there. Thats not good)

JV is terrible in iso situations. Methodical fake, fake, dribble, dribble, hook shot. He can hit the shot but if a help defender comes it always ends in a turnover. He has very poor awareness. He needs to learn to pass the ball when the double comes. JV is at his best when he is focusing on rebounding and defending.

CHAMPi0N · Post #5 » by **CHAMPi0N** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:20 pm

I'm sure Masai wouldn't rule out the addition of someone like Javale McGee or Danilo Gallinari, esp if Denver is a seller... They'll take back Chuck Hayes, Landry Fields and a possible pick. I prefer a player like McGee given JV's poor defense and inability to play a full 48 minutes each night. Heck, is Utah open to dealing Rudy Gobert? That would be ideal...

Flyologist · Post #6 » by **Flyologist** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:34 pm

CHAMPi0N wrote:I'm sure Masai wouldn't rule out the addition of someone like Javale McGee or Danilo Gallinari, esp if Denver is a seller... They'll take back Chuck Hayes, Landry Fields and a possible pick. I prefer a player like McGee given JV's poor defense and inability to play a full 48 minutes each night. Heck, is Utah open to dealing Rudy Gobert? That would be ideal...

McGee is owed $12 mil next year and it's the same with Gallinari Masai wouldn't risk it at least not on these two.

KrazyP · Post #7 » by **KrazyP** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 6:16 pm

Kaioken wrote:How about forcing Casey to feed Valanciunas more? That guy should atleast take 10 shots per game instead of letting DD take long 2s (33,6% of his shots are from there...and he only makes 28,7% of them while having a career FG around 38% from there. Thats not good)

Valanciunas' usage is exactly where it should be at this point in his career. He' at 18-19%. That actually puts him ahead of guys like Noah, Bogut, Chandler, etc. The only guys significantly ahead of him are M.Gasol, Cousins, Al Jefferson and Brook Lopez who are far superior offensive players at this point.

deebee · Post #8 » by **deebee** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 9:23 pm

KrazyP wrote:
Kaioken wrote:How about forcing Casey to feed Valanciunas more? That guy should atleast take 10 shots per game instead of letting DD take long 2s (33,6% of his shots are from there...and he only makes 28,7% of them while having a career FG around 38% from there. Thats not good)

Valanciunas' usage is exactly where it should be at this point in his career. He' at 18-19%. That actually puts him ahead of guys like Noah, Bogut, Chandler, etc. The only guys significantly ahead of him are M.Gasol, Cousins, Al Jefferson and Brook Lopez who are far superior offensive players at this point.

Casey's started playing JV and Terrence Ross more in the 4th during close games - the message seems to be 'we'll live with a small slip in the standings if it means our younger players are getting better at navigating dialed-in defenses'

Sam195 · Post #9 » by **Sam195** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 11:22 pm

Masai has proved himself to be one of the best gms in the nba and raptors history. Raptors fans finally believe their team can make some noise in the playoffs and against the top teams in the regular season but they are still far from contending for a title. Ujiri made the right choice not tanking for the 2014 nba draft based on how poorly that class has performed to date even wiggins and parker included. We all know raptors will have a hard time to attract all stars via free agency and trade (not just acquisition but also convincing them to resign) because of the weather and taxes in Canada. So I strongly recommend the team invests in scouting like Ujiri is trying - maybe even poach some of those scouts down in okc or san antonio with inflated pay. Raptors need to find diamonds in the rough with lower picks like how the spurs did with tony parker or grizlies with marc gasol (intially picke dby lakers). Even if it means guys will stay overseas for a couple of years. Raptors should eye the playoffs every year instead of looking at a rebuild and always being trapped in mediocrity like the maple leafs lol.

Machiavillain · Post #10 » by **Machiavillain** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:11 am

Sam195 wrote:Masai has proved himself to be one of the best gms in the nba and raptors history. Raptors fans finally believe their team can make some noise in the playoffs and against the top teams in the regular season but they are still far from contending for a title. Ujiri made the right choice not tanking for the 2014 nba draft based on how poorly that class has performed to date even wiggins and parker included. We all know raptors will have a hard time to attract all stars via free agency and trade (not just acquisition but also convincing them to resign) because of the weather and taxes in Canada. So I strongly recommend the team invests in scouting like Ujiri is trying - maybe even poach some of those scouts down in okc or san antonio with inflated pay. Raptors need to find diamonds in the rough with lower picks like how the spurs did with tony parker or grizlies with marc gasol (intially picke dby lakers). Even if it means guys will stay overseas for a couple of years. Raptors should eye the playoffs every year instead of looking at a rebuild and always being trapped in mediocrity like the maple leafs lol.

Most of this is outdated rhetoric. Toronto has quickly become a destination. Players are realizing that the city is great, the fans have ignited, and they're winning. Taxes and weather are non issues in comparison.

Damon_3388 · Post #11 » by **Damon_3388** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:15 am

Masai Ujiri is unhurried to make a move despite being at the top of the Eastern Conference with a chance to go deep in the playoffs.

Why exactly would or should he be making moves if the team is in that situation?

“This is the time to let it sit and play itself out,” Ujiri said. “It’s not the time to play poker, not now.”

Surely this is obvious?

Article is a bit biazarre and pointless.

Orlwillbeback · Post #12 » by **Orlwillbeback** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:30 am

this guy is a boss ass GM. Offloading Gay and Bargs contracts was the masterwork of last season.

Sam195 · Post #13 » by **Sam195** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:28 am

Machiavillain wrote:
Sam195 wrote:Masai has proved himself to be one of the best gms in the nba and raptors history. Raptors fans finally believe their team can make some noise in the playoffs and against the top teams in the regular season but they are still far from contending for a title. Ujiri made the right choice not tanking for the 2014 nba draft based on how poorly that class has performed to date even wiggins and parker included. We all know raptors will have a hard time to attract all stars via free agency and trade (not just acquisition but also convincing them to resign) because of the weather and taxes in Canada. So I strongly recommend the team invests in scouting like Ujiri is trying - maybe even poach some of those scouts down in okc or san antonio with inflated pay. Raptors need to find diamonds in the rough with lower picks like how the spurs did with tony parker or grizlies with marc gasol (intially picke dby lakers). Even if it means guys will stay overseas for a couple of years. Raptors should eye the playoffs every year instead of looking at a rebuild and always being trapped in mediocrity like the maple leafs lol.

Most of this is outdated rhetoric. Toronto has quickly become a destination. Players are realizing that the city is great, the fans have ignited, and they're winning. Taxes and weather are non issues in comparison.

lol - they are still issues - the last major free agent deal the raptors signed was hedo turkoglu as a ufa. And other free agent progress was convincing vince carter and chris bosh to extend their deals with the team after their rookie deals. But all three guys left after controversial circumstances. Than there was the rudy gay trade who colangelo planned on extending before he was fired. Kyle Lowry just resigned with raptors cause they clearly offered him the most money and prominent role available - for all we know he could force a trade if he thinks the team's ceiling is the first or second round of the playoffs.

Cassius · Post #14 » by **Cassius** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:28 pm

I hope he's just saying that so he can flip Ross and spare parts for Joe Johnson. With Joe Johnson and James Johnson checking Lebron for 48 minutes, I think the Raps would have a legit shot of getting out of the East this year. Team speed would fall off but I think that this team could make a run and maybe not even get swept in the Finals.

Lowry/Vasquez
DeMar/Lou
Joe J/James J
Amir/Patterson
Val/whoever else

The TPE isn't available in the checker... would Ross, Fields, Hansborough + TPE get it done financially?

Donnyxc · Post #15 » by **Donnyxc** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:39 pm

You can't really argue with the results. He cultivated the talent, and has managed his Team well at all levels. From pickups/trades, to managing expectations with his coaches regarding player minutes. Trading Bargnani and Gay was huge.

Cavs1017 · Post #16 » by **Cavs1017** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:47 pm

Donnyxc wrote:You can't really argue with the results. He cultivated the talent, and has managed his Team well at all levels. From pickups/trades, to managing expectations with his coaches regarding player minutes. Trading Bargnani and Gay was huge.

Toronto is good but it's not the best team in the east, a loss to Heat, Bulls, and twice in a week to Cavs is quite exposing.

mawbsta · Post #17 » by **mawbsta** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:30 pm

Cavs1017 wrote:
Donnyxc wrote:You can't really argue with the results. He cultivated the talent, and has managed his Team well at all levels. From pickups/trades, to managing expectations with his coaches regarding player minutes. Trading Bargnani and Gay was huge.

Toronto is good but it's not the best team in the east, a loss to Heat, Bulls, and twice in a week to Cavs is quite exposing.

And that's one to grow on

Rated T By CBRA · Post #18 » by **Rated T By CBRA** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 6:13 pm

mawbsta wrote:
Cavs1017 wrote:
Donnyxc wrote:You can't really argue with the results. He cultivated the talent, and has managed his Team well at all levels. From pickups/trades, to managing expectations with his coaches regarding player minutes. Trading Bargnani and Gay was huge.

Toronto is good but it's not the best team in the east, a loss to Heat, Bulls, and twice in a week to Cavs is quite exposing.

And that's one to grow on

They have had their hot streak, have an injury and are having a hard time with top teams in the East. All part of the season, no on expected them to do as well as they have been so far. It will take time to build the mental strength and challenge the playoff/championship contender teams.

They are just lacking consistency in what they do. At times their defense disappears, or they play too casual. It's these "small" differences that they need to overcome to be considered the best or one of the best coming out of the East.