Shams: Bobby Promoted to "Final Decision Maker of Basketball (still GM) " update pg. 27

[ontnut]

I don't like it personally. I don't see him as a President of Basketball operations. Maybe it's just my bias from his interviews but he's not a guy I'd hire to lead my team. He strikes me more as a guy suitable for the exact role he's been in - be a genius, cap guru, behind the scenes stuff.

I have no real insight into him personally or professionally, but as a business owner, he doesn't strike me as a top level culture-setting leader. Masai 100% did. But maybe he'd metamorphisize into that kind of personality given the room? I dno. I don't see it.

As Clay Davis might say....very low rizz.

[wegotthabeet]

If he wants the job he should go out and earn it. Make a major move before they hire someone else and force their hand.

[ontnut]

Whenever just the top guy gets laid off like this, safe to assume Masai, specifically, messed up.

He became stubborn and too forceful with players in negotiations after the Kawhi departure. Masai was bitter IMO.

- Daring Fred to walk. Not believing he could get a good FA offer.
- Freezing out Siakim and giving him time to orchestrate trade to Indiana.
- Same with OG. Essentially gave him and his agent 2 years to lineup the Knicks.

Og was available for shadeon sharpe and Josh hart sadly

Should had given pascal 4 yr/185M

Fred should had been kept

Should had sold high on barnes

Stop this madness.

[ontnut]

We hired Masai to run the team when he was 41. Bobby is 41 right now with 13 years in the organization and 8 years as GM. Unless they go out and hire Presti or Myers, not sure who's available with a better resume than Bobby.

I agree with this. But a) I don't want Myers as my top candidate, b) I don't think NBA resume is necessarily the most important factor for a President. c) IIFFFFFF they have defined roles andBobby can make his deals independently and the President can oversee the overall business, that would be the best. Bobby strikes me as a strong worker bee, not the queen bee.

I think Rogers might go outside of the "NBA boys network" for this hire. As much shtt as I give them, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they actually have something up their sleeve here. You don't just get rid of a guy like Masai with term on his deal without having a trump card in the back pocket. This isn't Casey for Nurse.

The more I think about it, the more I sense a Leiweke type signing. He wasn't a pure basketball guy. ~57 years old at the time, not super old, not too young, but had extensive experience in sports management.

[Mikistan]

We hired Masai to run the team when he was 41. Bobby is 41 right now with 13 years in the organization and 8 years as GM. Unless they go out and hire Presti or Myers, not sure who's available with a better resume than Bobby.

I agree with this. But a) I don't want Myers as my top candidate, b) I don't think resume is the most important.

I think Rogers might go outside of the "NBA boys network" for this hire. As much shtt as I give them, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they actually have something up their sleeve here. You don't just get rid of a guy like Masai with term on his deal without having a trump card in the back pocket. This isn't Casey for Nurse.

The more I think about it, the more I sense a Leiweke type signing. He wasn't a pure basketball guy. ~57 years old at the time, not super old, not too young, but had extensive experience in sports management.

[ontnut]

We hired Masai to run the team when he was 41. Bobby is 41 right now with 13 years in the organization and 8 years as GM. Unless they go out and hire Presti or Myers, not sure who's available with a better resume than Bobby.

I agree with this. But a) I don't want Myers as my top candidate, b) I don't think resume is the most important.

I think Rogers might go outside of the "NBA boys network" for this hire. As much shtt as I give them, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they actually have something up their sleeve here. You don't just get rid of a guy like Masai with term on his deal without having a trump card in the back pocket. This isn't Casey for Nurse.

The more I think about it, the more I sense a Leiweke type signing. He wasn't a pure basketball guy. ~57 years old at the time, not super old, not too young, but had extensive experience in sports management.

[MavCarter]

We hired Masai to run the team when he was 41. Bobby is 41 right now with 13 years in the organization and 8 years as GM. Unless they go out and hire Presti or Myers, not sure who's available with a better resume than Bobby.

I agree with this. But a) I don't want Myers as my top candidate, b) I don't think NBA resume is necessarily the most important factor for a President. c) IIFFFFFF they have defined roles andBobby can make his deals independently and the President can oversee the overall business, that would be the best. Bobby strikes me as a strong worker bee, not the queen bee.

I think Rogers might go outside of the "NBA boys network" for this hire. As much shtt as I give them, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they actually have something up their sleeve here. You don't just get rid of a guy like Masai with term on his deal without having a trump card in the back pocket. This isn't Casey for Nurse.

The more I think about it, the more I sense a Leiweke type signing. He wasn't a pure basketball guy. ~57 years old at the time, not super old, not too young, but had extensive experience in sports management.

If they had something up their sleeve they wouldnt have hired CAA to conduct the search. I know pelley said "business man" but he also said the president would be focused on basketball decisions. Apparently CAA conducted the hawks search (even though i cant find anything confirming it) so maybe we should just look at who the hawks candidates were to see what direction they'll probably go in

[ontnut]

We hired Masai to run the team when he was 41. Bobby is 41 right now with 13 years in the organization and 8 years as GM. Unless they go out and hire Presti or Myers, not sure who's available with a better resume than Bobby.

I agree with this. But a) I don't want Myers as my top candidate, b) I don't think NBA resume is necessarily the most important factor for a President. c) IIFFFFFF they have defined roles andBobby can make his deals independently and the President can oversee the overall business, that would be the best. Bobby strikes me as a strong worker bee, not the queen bee.

I think Rogers might go outside of the "NBA boys network" for this hire. As much shtt as I give them, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they actually have something up their sleeve here. You don't just get rid of a guy like Masai with term on his deal without having a trump card in the back pocket. This isn't Casey for Nurse.

The more I think about it, the more I sense a Leiweke type signing. He wasn't a pure basketball guy. ~57 years old at the time, not super old, not too young, but had extensive experience in sports management.

If they had something up their sleeve they wouldnt have hired CAA to conduct the search. I know pelley said "business man" but he also said the president would be focused on basketball decisions. Apparently CAA conducted the hawks search (even though i cant find anything confirming it) so maybe we should just look at who the hawks candidates were to see what direction they'll probably go in

Maybe the CAA hiring was part of the public-facing due dilligence. Show they searched far and wide, before hiring "their guy".

Corporate works this way. ESP being a publicly traded company, one of the largest in Canada, it would behoove them to cover their own tails on this hiring. Whether or not they have a candidate in mind already, they have to have proof that they looked under every stone, to appease the shareholders/board. Otherwise the hire can easily be labelled as crony-ism, nepotism etc.

I've been on a a few corporate boards, and they oftentimes already have a decision in mind, but need to have alternative bids/cover to put in the meeting minutes/annual report just to cover their tracks.

Edit: Remember how the Hawks also interviewed Danny Ferry for the position? A guy that previously "stepped down" from the job for racist comments? He didn't get the job (obviously), but the Hawks definitely made it clear he was interviewed as a candidate for the position. Now no one can say, "hey, what about that Danny Ferry guy??"

[The Duke]

Let’s get a new top dog.
They will interview Bobby, but he won’t get it

[XTC]

If he wants the job he should go out and earn it. Make a major move before they hire someone else and force their hand.

He was the guy who orchestrated the Kawhi trade, you know that right?

Without Bobby the 2019 championship doesn't happen.

I personally think he should get a shot. He seems like a smart guy. Let him have control and leave his blueprint. People said the same thing about Brad Stevens when he took over from Ainge.

[sidsid]

Aside from rogers/masai feud, maybe they were not convinced this "rebuild" or "reset" wasn't to their liking and felt it was rushed

my guess is that higher ups see win totals, lack of playoffs and payroll and asked "then why are we paying so much for the team".

I feel this is an underrated aspect of the retool approach with bean counter ownerships. You're spending all the way up to the tax line every year, yet you've ended up tanking 3 of those years since the Giannis FA year anyway.

If you actually just did a rebuild tank+cap space approach (like the Nets this year selling off their space for picks), you're at least running on the cheap under the cap for a few of those years at the start and setting realistic expectations.

[ontnut]

If he wants the job he should go out and earn it. Make a major move before they hire someone else and force their hand.

He was the guy who orchestrated the Kawhi trade, you know that right?

Without Bobby the 2019 championship doesn't happen.

I personally think he should get a shot. He seems like a smart guy. Let him have control and leave his blueprint. People said the same thing about Brad Stevens when he took over from Ainge.

Watch on YouTube

Rewatch this interview from the perspective of Rogers' board. Does this guy have what it takes to be the front man for the organization? He's nervous as heck, lots of scratching, fidgeting, random mouth movements esp early in the interview. Maybe that's inexperience in front of the camera, but Bobby's #1 qualification IS his experience...so that's kind of a clash. Does he represent a billion dollar national brand? When he talks about the actual basketball stuff, he calms down, feels comfortable. That's his wheelhouse. Bobby's great at the basketball stuff, but he gives me VERY little confidence as a front-man/President.

[ontnut]

Aside from rogers/masai feud, maybe they were not convinced this "rebuild" or "reset" wasn't to their liking and felt it was rushed

my guess is that higher ups see win totals, lack of playoffs and payroll and asked "then why are we paying so much for the team".

I feel this is an underrated aspect of the retool approach with bean counter ownerships. You're spending all the way up to the tax line every year, yet you've ended up tanking 3 of those years since the Giannis FA year anyway.

If you actually just did a rebuild tank+cap space approach (like the Nets this year selling off their space for picks), you're at least running on the cheap under the cap for a few of those years at the start and setting realistic expectations.

Actually I think it's the complete opposite mandate from Rogers. They gave the greenlight to spend up to the tax, but no more. They will pay for regular gas, but not premium 94.
Look at the way they've run the Jays and Leafs.
They want to make the playoffs. Championships are a bonus. As a media brand they lose out a LOT if the sports teams suck and are not competitive at all. But the premium they need to pay to win a championship is not worth the extra 1-2 weeks of TV viewership/advertising, given the $$$ bill the 2nd apron/luxury tax will command. People are already cutting cable TV by the millions, and live sports is literally the #1 thing that keeps people buying these packages.
To be perfectly clear, I believe Rogers WANTS a playoff team, but without going (deep) into luxury tax, with an outside shot at a championship being a secondary or tertiary objective.
Masai clearly had championship or bust mentality - but I do believe he was somewhat hamstrung by ownership.

[MavCarter]

If he wants the job he should go out and earn it. Make a major move before they hire someone else and force their hand.

He was the guy who orchestrated the Kawhi trade, you know that right?

Without Bobby the 2019 championship doesn't happen.

I personally think he should get a shot. He seems like a smart guy. Let him have control and leave his blueprint. People said the same thing about Brad Stevens when he took over from Ainge.

Watch on YouTube

Rewatch this interview from the perspective of Rogers' board. Does this guy have what it takes to be the front man for the organization? He's nervous as heck, lots of scratching, fidgeting, random mouth movements esp early in the interview. Maybe that's inexperience in front of the camera, but Bobby's #1 qualification IS his experience...so that's kind of a clash. Does he represent a billion dollar national brand? When he talks about the actual basketball stuff, he calms down, feels comfortable. That's his wheelhouse. Bobby's great at the basketball stuff, but he gives me VERY little confidence as a front-man/President.

If their criteria for a president is a charismatic leader in front of the cameras good luck replacing masai. Majority of the GMs around the league arent any better just watch some post draft press conferences

[ontnut]

He was the guy who orchestrated the Kawhi trade, you know that right?

Without Bobby the 2019 championship doesn't happen.

I personally think he should get a shot. He seems like a smart guy. Let him have control and leave his blueprint. People said the same thing about Brad Stevens when he took over from Ainge.

Watch on YouTube

Rewatch this interview from the perspective of Rogers' board. Does this guy have what it takes to be the front man for the organization? He's nervous as heck, lots of scratching, fidgeting, random mouth movements esp early in the interview. Maybe that's inexperience in front of the camera, but Bobby's #1 qualification IS his experience...so that's kind of a clash. Does he represent a billion dollar national brand? When he talks about the actual basketball stuff, he calms down, feels comfortable. That's his wheelhouse. Bobby's great at the basketball stuff, but he gives me VERY little confidence as a front-man/President.

If their criteria for a president is a charismatic leader in front of the cameras good luck replacing masai. Majority of the GMs around the league arent any better just watch some post draft press conferences

I agree. But that's why they are GM's and not Presidents of basketball operations. That's kind of my point.

To be perfectly honest, I think the title/position is a bit of a sham. A fall guy intermediary to protect Pelley. But if *I* was in Pelley's position, these would be the kind of requirements I'd have. Why would I give a promotion for the sake of promotion, if the guy is already in his perfect job (and by the way, if he quits, I have his replacement in Tolzman waiting in the wings)?

From Pelley's perspective: promoting Bobby, who may or may not be ready/the guy, shows ownership that I was lazy in my job, or that I'm staking my reputation on the subordinate of the guy I just let go. Neither avenue is one I think Pelley wants to take. He's going to want to bring in a guy he trusts. If he didn't trust Masai, why would he trust Bobby? Because Bobby is better at numbers, and made the Kawhi trade? That's not enough for me to stake my professional career on. (again, speaking from Pelley's perspective).

[MavCarter]

Watch on YouTube

Rewatch this interview from the perspective of Rogers' board. Does this guy have what it takes to be the front man for the organization? He's nervous as heck, lots of scratching, fidgeting, random mouth movements esp early in the interview. Maybe that's inexperience in front of the camera, but Bobby's #1 qualification IS his experience...so that's kind of a clash. Does he represent a billion dollar national brand? When he talks about the actual basketball stuff, he calms down, feels comfortable. That's his wheelhouse. Bobby's great at the basketball stuff, but he gives me VERY little confidence as a front-man/President.

If their criteria for a president is a charismatic leader in front of the cameras good luck replacing masai. Majority of the GMs around the league arent any better just watch some post draft press conferences

I agree. But that's why they are GM's and not Presidents of basketball operations. That's kind of my point.

To be perfectly honest, I think the title/position is a bit of a sham. A fall guy intermediary to protect Pelley. But if *I* was in Pelley's position, these would be the kind of requirements I'd have. Why would I give a promotion for the sake of promotion, if the guy is already in his perfect job?

Yeah but our next hire for president will likely be a GM from another team. CAA headed the hawks president search and they hired the pelicans GM

[wegotthabeet]

If he wants the job he should go out and earn it. Make a major move before they hire someone else and force their hand.

He was the guy who orchestrated the Kawhi trade, you know that right?

Without Bobby the 2019 championship doesn't happen.

I personally think he should get a shot. He seems like a smart guy. Let him have control and leave his blueprint. People said the same thing about Brad Stevens when he took over from Ainge.

yeah of course. check my post history.

all I'm saying is if it were me in his shoes I wouldn't be sitting pat right now. start making moves that distinguish you from your predecessor.

you can't bank on something that happened over half a decade ago. the world moves too quick now and you're only as good as your last hit. 6 years ago is lifetime in sports/entertainment.

[ontnut]

If their criteria for a president is a charismatic leader in front of the cameras good luck replacing masai. Majority of the GMs around the league arent any better just watch some post draft press conferences

I agree. But that's why they are GM's and not Presidents of basketball operations. That's kind of my point.

To be perfectly honest, I think the title/position is a bit of a sham. A fall guy intermediary to protect Pelley. But if *I* was in Pelley's position, these would be the kind of requirements I'd have. Why would I give a promotion for the sake of promotion, if the guy is already in his perfect job?

Yeah but our next hire for president will likely be a GM from another team. CAA headed the hawks president search and they hired the pelicans GM

That's some anecdotal evidence. Hawks majority owner is an equity firm guy (Tony Ressler), then a bunch of random investors with tiny stakes.

Tony Ressler (est. 47%-51%); Grant Hill, Steven Price, Rick Schnall, Sara Blakely, Jesse Itzler, Ted Virtue, Bob Goodman; Michael Gearon, Jr., Rutherford Seydel, Beaut Turner (1% combined)[3] Blue Owl Capital (6%)[4]

MLSE is 75% Rogers, and 25% Larry T. It's a bit different.

As a private equity owner, Tony Ressler might have different priorities than a publically traded company that is heavily invested in sports media. He's an investor and AFAIK he cares nothing about basketball. He's in it for the equity in a growing business and will sell it once it has reached peak, or he needs $$. So he almost HAS to hire a basketball guy to run things for him.

We have the basketball guys in place. We need a leader.

[MavCarter]

I agree. But that's why they are GM's and not Presidents of basketball operations. That's kind of my point.

To be perfectly honest, I think the title/position is a bit of a sham. A fall guy intermediary to protect Pelley. But if *I* was in Pelley's position, these would be the kind of requirements I'd have. Why would I give a promotion for the sake of promotion, if the guy is already in his perfect job?

Yeah but our next hire for president will likely be a GM from another team. CAA headed the hawks president search and they hired the pelicans GM

That's some anecdotal evidence. Hawks majority owner is an equity firm guy (Tony Ressler), then a bunch of random investors with tiny stakes.

Tony Ressler (est. 47%-51%); Grant Hill, Steven Price, Rick Schnall, Sara Blakely, Jesse Itzler, Ted Virtue, Bob Goodman; Michael Gearon, Jr., Rutherford Seydel, Beaut Turner (1% combined)[3] Blue Owl Capital (6%)[4]

MLSE is 75% Rogers, and 25% Larry T. It's a bit different. As a private equity owner, they might have different priorities than a publically traded company.

Just curious, who do you expect us to a hire? A president from another team? An agent? Pelley said verbatim he wants someone with an in depth background in basketball operations. Teams usually dont give permission for execs to leave for lateral moves so if we hire someone it'll most likely be someone who's a GM right now and *not* a president

[WuTang_CMB]

This whole personality big time figure thing is over-stated in a market like Toronto. The core of organization is drafting and developing. We have to be #1 at it in the league. Plain and simple. We don't need a big personality for that. This isn't a free agency destination. We just need an elite decision maker running things. That's it. If we draft and develop well (just as we did in demar/lowry years and the last couple years here) then everything falls into place.

Bobby already has a good reputation among agents and league execs. Plus there is no replacing Masai. We all know who he was and what he represented as not only an intelligent architect but a straight shooter - called it like it is. Which is probably why we all loved him.

Keith Pelley looks like a noob and he doesn't know anything about the NBA or Basketball in general so it wouldn't surprise me if he hires someone who's less qualified than Bobby. Bobby will be gone in 12 months if this happens.

I landscaped the league execs and the only guy is Sam Presti so not even worth mentioning.

It's Bobby or nothing.