Masai Appreciation Thread

[Tor_Raps]

Still feels unreal that we won't have Masai representing this franchise anymore. I wish nothing but the worst for Ed Rogers and Keith Pelley.

[OAKLEY_2]

Still feels unreal that we won't have Masai representing this franchise anymore. I wish nothing but the worst for Ed Rogers and Keith Pelley.

This. Too many useless suits kissing Tedward asz. The reign of error has begun.

[DubaiRaptors]

Thank you Masai. You will always be a legend in Toronto. You were the architect of the most magical season of Toronto Raptors history and their first ever championship. Wishing you nothing but the best in your next role.

[LoveMyRaps]

This is the most heartbreaking news as a Raptors fan. I've been watching this team since '03. Kawhi's departure, Siakam trade, etc., don't even compare.

This one genuinely makes me sad. Masai if you're reading this (cuz I know this forum is where you got your wonderful trade ideas from) - I love you. Thanks for everything.

[WuTang_CMB]

Miss him

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

[kleatius_01]

End of an era. What a journey from the wreckage left after Vince flamed out through our 2019 chip. We went from a complete joke to the toast of the league. Thanks for the memories Masai!

[djsunyc]

Gotta say.

I don't understand why people are upset at Ed Rodgers.
Dudes in telecom are cutting costs all over the place. Does anyone know what Masia's remuneration package is? Or what he was trying to negotiate?

The results have been middling (I personally like the process, and have faith in his vision), but he's hasn't been beyond scrutiny.

Read this board and you have an overall negative view on the state of the team (I think it's coming around).

If Masai is actually getting some percentage of franchise value growth kick back, or asking for a raise on his $15m a year salary, I can totally understand some push back from ownership.

Might be a victim of his own negotiation success. Can't have an executive have ownership stake in a multiple billion dollar product (if I was the owner).

the other thread is to discuss stuff like this. this thread is about pure appreciation for him.

[billy_hoyle]

Gotta say.

I don't understand why people are upset at Ed Rodgers.
Dudes in telecom are cutting costs all over the place. Does anyone know what Masia's remuneration package is? Or what he was trying to negotiate?

The results have been middling (I personally like the process, and have faith in his vision), but he's hasn't been beyond scrutiny.

Read this board and you have an overall negative view on the state of the team (I think it's coming around).

If Masai is actually getting some percentage of franchise value growth kick back, or asking for a raise on his $15m a year salary, I can totally understand some push back from ownership.

Might be a victim of his own negotiation success. Can't have an executive have ownership stake in a multiple billion dollar product (if I was the owner).

the other thread is to discuss stuff like this. this thread is about pure appreciation for him.

Ughhh damn... I thought this was the other thread... Stupid phone typing.


Apologies to all, and to Masai.

[DangerZone13]

Damn dude. I read this around when it broke, and I'm still pissed and sad. As a Day 1 fan who remembers seeing a poll on YTV to choose the team name, who still has his stuffie Raptor from watching the lowly early Raptors beat MJ's (reportedly very hungover) Bulls - Masai Ujiri is my all time favourite Raptor.

I am very grateful for everything he did to turn a team I've followed nearly my entire life from laughing stock to champion. I wish the man all the very best in all aspects of his life.

On the flip side - I wish Ed **** Rogers the very worst. That suited ghoul Pellie too.

**** BROO.... ROGERS!

[elecblue]

I’m heart broken, no other way to describe it. Masai’s legacy can be observed during the presser, when the always-tame Toronto media asked Pelley some real questions, like you and I would. I loved that.

To quote Masai on this **** day, FXXK MLSE!

[kleatius_01]

What a journey.

It was the best of trades, it was the worst of drafts,
It was the age of Kawhi, it was the age of Caboclo,
It was the epoch of playoff glory, it was the epoch of play-in pain,
It was the season of ‘We the North’, it was the season of ‘What are we doing?’,
It was the spring of a championship parade, it was the winter of inactive trade deadlines.

Thanks for the memories Masai!

[OAKLEY_2]

What a journey.

It was the best of trades, it was the worst of drafts,
It was the age of Kawhi, it was the age of Caboclo,
It was the epoch of playoff glory, it was the epoch of play-in pain,
It was the season of ‘We the North’, it was the season of ‘What are we doing?’,
It was the spring of a championship parade, it was the winter of inactive trade deadlines.

Thanks for the memories Masai!

No need to balance the books here. The Masai "wins" vastly outnumbered the losses. I hope protege Bobby is up to the new task.

[Agimat]

Man, I just want to say thank you, Masai, for making me love basketball again. I honestly almost quit watching the Raptors (and NBA in general) during that Rudy Gay era which I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true. Then you came in, started changing the culture, and everything changed.

Watching the team grow year after year under your leadership was such a blast. You tend to win more trades (almost criminal on others) than you lose, and what’s really special about you as a GM has been your knack for turning what others overlook into real value.

And then, to top it all off, we actually went and won the championship (We The North)! You made it fun to be a Raptors fan again.

Appreciate you, Masai forreal!

[6ixpessant]

I'm looking forward to his response.

2019 baby #WeTheNorth and **** Brooklyn

[Kingsway_fan]

We have the worst broadcast crew in the NBA... THEY should be cleaning house there...

[FrozenLeafz]

The greatest GM/President in Raptors history. He needs a statue outside Jurassic Park

Watch on YouTube

Felt like yesterday

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

[WuTang_CMB]

https://www.thescore.com/s/31702779

Masai Ujiri expressed gratitude for his standout stint with the Toronto Raptors, showing love for the team he called home for over a decade.

"It's been 12 incredible years with the Toronto Raptors, and I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity," Ujiri said Thursday on "Good Morning America." "Fans, my family, colleagues, coaches, players, the owners, everybody has been incredible to me. Toronto, I love you, and it's a great pride and journey in my life. It's time, and great things come to an end."

The Raptors parted ways with Ujiri - their vice chairman and president - June 27 after 13 seasons together. The 2013 NBA Executive of the Year helped turn the franchise around, building a Toronto team that claimed its first NBA title in 2019. The Raptors hadn't won a playoff series since 2001 before Ujiri took over.

The 54-year-old spent three seasons as the Denver Nuggets' general manager before joining the Raptors. He said he's unsure what's next for his career as an NBA executive.

"Now it's day-to-day with the family," Ujiri added. "It's a time to really look at it from the top, and I know there are great things coming."

[Kingsway_fan]

Likely headed to new Seattle franchise.mm our loss. Fk Rogers.

[KrazyP]

The Raps were a completely dysfunctional franchise run by suits before Masai Ujiri got here. His arrival marked the greatest period in franchise history. Even the last few years everybody had been complaining about have arguably better than any period pre-Ujiri. He won’t have any problems finding a new gig.

F U Ed Rogers…if it wasnt for your dad, your useless butt would probably be flipping whoppers at Burger King.