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

[WuTang_CMB]

Pelley said on Monday that what convinced him that Webster was the right fit for the expanded role was seeing how well the Raptors' organization worked at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

"Seeing the culture of the team and the role Bobby has played in getting us here, his leadership style, the rapport with the players and the staff," said Pelley in a one-on-one phone interview with The Canadian Press. "I think what really came out in the process was his modern vision for the team and how he can specifically relate to players and to staff as an incredibly astute businessman with a deep knowledge of all facets of basketball."

Webster said that he and Ujiri remain close.

"Great relationship with Masai, no issues there," said Webster. "We have a long relationship. We've been through a lot, so no awkwardness there."

Pelley sees the new Raptors' leadership structure as part of MLSE's ongoing integration of its sports properties that also include the NHL's Maple Leafs, Major League Soccer's Toronto FC, and the Canadian Football League's Argonauts.

He had a recent example of how this new umbrella structure might work, too.

When attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic was set to sign with Toronto FC in early August, TFC general manager Jason Herandez told Pelley he wanted one more medical examination of the star player. Instead, Pelley put Hernandez on the phone with Webster.

"I let those two general managers talk together, and the next thing you know, Djordje was seeing the Raptors doctor as a second opinion." said Pelley. "That's really the strength and significant advantage that MLSE has, having the four teams, and being able to integrate those teams and operating as one unit, and a group of individuals that are supporting each other in that way is really a competitive advantage that we have.

"So we will continue to integrate the teams, and that extends beyond just front office, and beyond just marketing and game ops. It goes all the way into the players."

A native of Hawaii, Webster came to the Raptors after seven years at the NBA's league office, under the leadership of commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver.

Webster worked primarily on the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement and was part of the team that successfully negotiated the 2011 CBA with the National Basketball Players Association. He and his wife Lauren, an entrepreneur and company founder, live in Toronto with their three children.

He said that all of his experiences in the world of basketball helped make this next step of his career possible.

"I just finished my 20th season in the NBA. I think I've had a really great opportunity to learn and observe from a lot of leaders," he said. "I probably view it more as an opportunity for me to see who Bobby is and where we want this team to go.

"Obviously, I'm going to lead with a smile. I'm going lead with a lot of positivity and empower those around me."

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/toronto-raptors-promote-bobby-webster-to-head-of-basketball-operations-1.2347584

[Tha Cynic]

This organization is cooked.

Pelley reminds me of Peddie every time he talks.

Let’s hope they leave Webster in place and just forget about the Raptors completely.

They used a transition phase that happens in every sport to get rid of Masai and are now showing they have zero clue about basketball and very clearly have no one who can guide them as they have no relationships in basketball.

[tanuki1031]

Pelley said on Monday that what convinced him that Webster was the right fit for the expanded role was seeing how well the Raptors' organization worked at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

"Seeing the culture of the team and the role Bobby has played in getting us here, his leadership style, the rapport with the players and the staff," said Pelley in a one-on-one phone interview with The Canadian Press. "I think what really came out in the process was his modern vision for the team and how he can specifically relate to players and to staff as an incredibly astute businessman with a deep knowledge of all facets of basketball."

Webster said that he and Ujiri remain close.

"Great relationship with Masai, no issues there," said Webster. "We have a long relationship. We've been through a lot, so no awkwardness there."

Pelley sees the new Raptors' leadership structure as part of MLSE's ongoing integration of its sports properties that also include the NHL's Maple Leafs, Major League Soccer's Toronto FC, and the Canadian Football League's Argonauts.

He had a recent example of how this new umbrella structure might work, too.

When attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic was set to sign with Toronto FC in early August, TFC general manager Jason Herandez told Pelley he wanted one more medical examination of the star player. Instead, Pelley put Hernandez on the phone with Webster.

"I let those two general managers talk together, and the next thing you know, Djordje was seeing the Raptors doctor as a second opinion." said Pelley. "That's really the strength and significant advantage that MLSE has, having the four teams, and being able to integrate those teams and operating as one unit, and a group of individuals that are supporting each other in that way is really a competitive advantage that we have.

"So we will continue to integrate the teams, and that extends beyond just front office, and beyond just marketing and game ops. It goes all the way into the players."

A native of Hawaii, Webster came to the Raptors after seven years at the NBA's league office, under the leadership of commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver.

Webster worked primarily on the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement and was part of the team that successfully negotiated the 2011 CBA with the National Basketball Players Association. He and his wife Lauren, an entrepreneur and company founder, live in Toronto with their three children.

He said that all of his experiences in the world of basketball helped make this next step of his career possible.

"I just finished my 20th season in the NBA. I think I've had a really great opportunity to learn and observe from a lot of leaders," he said. "I probably view it more as an opportunity for me to see who Bobby is and where we want this team to go.

"Obviously, I'm going to lead with a smile. I'm going lead with a lot of positivity and empower those around me."

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/toronto-raptors-promote-bobby-webster-to-head-of-basketball-operations-1.2347584

Am I wrong to take that anecdote as MLSE being too cheap to pay an outside medical expert for the additional exam and diverting the request to be completed by someone already receiving a regular salary under MLSE (the Rapts medical staff), and setting the precedent that going forward they'll continue to use anyone employed under the MLSE umbrella in place of actual outside counsel?

If Ed wants to go star hunting and sign an Embiid who hasn't been able to play 30 games to a massive crippling deal but Bobby as the GM with final say says he wants to run a detailed medical on Embiid's knees, does Ed say "OK, just give Hernandez a call first" and Hernandez and the TFC doctor proceed to say Embiid is as healthy as he was when he won MVP (since that's what Ed wants to hear) - Bobby takes it then, like how Hernandez took it first for his concerns over Djordje?

[DreamTeam09]

This organization is cooked.

Pelley reminds me of Peddie every time he talks.

Let’s hope they leave Webster in place and just forget about the Raptors completely.

They used a transition phase that happens in every sport to get rid of Masai and are now showing they have zero clue about basketball and very clearly have no one who can guide them as they have no relationships in basketball.

Why do you say they have 0 clue, they did a search & determined the best person for the job is in house. That happens routinely in life, business & sport. Why would this decision, one that I believe is the best decision actually, make us "cooked" as an organization

[Raptorfan2012]

This organization is cooked.

Pelley reminds me of Peddie every time he talks.

Let’s hope they leave Webster in place and just forget about the Raptors completely.

They used a transition phase that happens in every sport to get rid of Masai and are now showing they have zero clue about basketball and very clearly have no one who can guide them as they have no relationships in basketball.

I only want Pelley to pay the tax and maybe get a new marketing team for a rebrand. Otherwise, just let Bobby cook.

[Pointgod]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

Good for him. Now we’ll see if he or Masai was responsible for the questionable decisions the past couple of years. Hopefully he prioritizes shooting is more active on the trade market.

[DreamTeam09]

Pelley said on Monday that what convinced him that Webster was the right fit for the expanded role was seeing how well the Raptors' organization worked at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

"Seeing the culture of the team and the role Bobby has played in getting us here, his leadership style, the rapport with the players and the staff," said Pelley in a one-on-one phone interview with The Canadian Press. "I think what really came out in the process was his modern vision for the team and how he can specifically relate to players and to staff as an incredibly astute businessman with a deep knowledge of all facets of basketball."

Webster said that he and Ujiri remain close.

"Great relationship with Masai, no issues there," said Webster. "We have a long relationship. We've been through a lot, so no awkwardness there."

Pelley sees the new Raptors' leadership structure as part of MLSE's ongoing integration of its sports properties that also include the NHL's Maple Leafs, Major League Soccer's Toronto FC, and the Canadian Football League's Argonauts.

He had a recent example of how this new umbrella structure might work, too.

When attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic was set to sign with Toronto FC in early August, TFC general manager Jason Herandez told Pelley he wanted one more medical examination of the star player. Instead, Pelley put Hernandez on the phone with Webster.

"I let those two general managers talk together, and the next thing you know, Djordje was seeing the Raptors doctor as a second opinion." said Pelley. "That's really the strength and significant advantage that MLSE has, having the four teams, and being able to integrate those teams and operating as one unit, and a group of individuals that are supporting each other in that way is really a competitive advantage that we have.

"So we will continue to integrate the teams, and that extends beyond just front office, and beyond just marketing and game ops. It goes all the way into the players."

A native of Hawaii, Webster came to the Raptors after seven years at the NBA's league office, under the leadership of commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver.

Webster worked primarily on the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement and was part of the team that successfully negotiated the 2011 CBA with the National Basketball Players Association. He and his wife Lauren, an entrepreneur and company founder, live in Toronto with their three children.

He said that all of his experiences in the world of basketball helped make this next step of his career possible.

"I just finished my 20th season in the NBA. I think I've had a really great opportunity to learn and observe from a lot of leaders," he said. "I probably view it more as an opportunity for me to see who Bobby is and where we want this team to go.

"Obviously, I'm going to lead with a smile. I'm going lead with a lot of positivity and empower those around me."

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/toronto-raptors-promote-bobby-webster-to-head-of-basketball-operations-1.2347584

Am I wrong to take that anecdote as MLSE being too cheap to pay an outside medical expert for the additional exam and diverting the request to be completed by someone already receiving a regular salary under MLSE (the Rapts medical staff), and setting the precedent that going forward they'll continue to use anyone employed under the MLSE umbrella in place of actual outside counsel?

If Ed wants to go star hunting and sign an Embiid who hasn't been able to play 30 games to a massive crippling deal but Bobby as the GM with final say says he wants to run a detailed medical on Embiid's knees, does Ed say "OK, just give Hernandez a call first" and Hernandez and the TFC doctor proceed to say Embiid is as healthy as he was when he won MVP (since that's what Ed wants to hear) - Bobby takes it then, like how Hernandez took it first for his concerns over Djordje?

Why take the glass half empty or the doomsday approach? TFC wanted a 2nd opinion & got it from the Raptors medical staff. 2 companies 2 different medical staff, all under one umbrella. Where's the conspiracy theory enter?

[tanuki1031]

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/toronto-raptors-promote-bobby-webster-to-head-of-basketball-operations-1.2347584

Am I wrong to take that anecdote as MLSE being too cheap to pay an outside medical expert for the additional exam and diverting the request to be completed by someone already receiving a regular salary under MLSE (the Rapts medical staff), and setting the precedent that going forward they'll continue to use anyone employed under the MLSE umbrella in place of actual outside counsel?

If Ed wants to go star hunting and sign an Embiid who hasn't been able to play 30 games to a massive crippling deal but Bobby as the GM with final say says he wants to run a detailed medical on Embiid's knees, does Ed say "OK, just give Hernandez a call first" and Hernandez and the TFC doctor proceed to say Embiid is as healthy as he was when he won MVP (since that's what Ed wants to hear) - Bobby takes it then, like how Hernandez took it first for his concerns over Djordje?

Why take the glass half empty or the doomsday approach? TFC wanted a 2nd opinion & got it from the Raptors medical staff. 2 companies 2 different medical staff, all under one umbrella. Where's the conspiracy theory enter?

1) One step towards consolidating team medical staff as a singular entity MLSE medical staff (i.e.: Rapts medical staff) - maybe another extreme cost cutting measure.

2) Third party counsel is a good thing. What if Ed really wanted Djordje no matter what? The Rapts medical staff is top notch, but they're also employed by Ed.

Could be nothing, could be something.

[HiJiNX]

This organization is cooked.

Pelley reminds me of Peddie every time he talks.

Let’s hope they leave Webster in place and just forget about the Raptors completely.

They used a transition phase that happens in every sport to get rid of Masai and are now showing they have zero clue about basketball and very clearly have no one who can guide them as they have no relationships in basketball.

Agreed 100%.

Was Masai fired because he cost too much? Maybe. But he also made them a trunk load of money in his tenure here. And this team is ready to turn it around, get back to the playoffs and make even more money. Ticket prices increased even when we sucked. What do you think is going to happen when we get good again, bring in a jersey rebrand, etc. Masai would have continued printing money for MLSE.

Was Masai fired because of performance issues? Maybe. But then why keep everyone else? That doesn’t make sense either.

Was Masai fired because he spent too much time with GOA? Maybe. But if that’s the case, the team who was making the decisions while he was away sucked at making the decisions, and it would appear that Masai got more involved again between the previous offseason and this one and we started making better moves again. So again, why fire him but keep the people around who were making the decisions when Masai was being too hands off? That also doesn’t make sense.

None of it makes sense. Except that maybe Ed Rogers just didn’t like Masai. When good performers or even top performers in a company are let go and it makes no sense as to why, there’s usually office politics of some sort involved. We can speculate as to what those politics entailed, but it’s highly likely that someone or a collective of people in the org just didn’t want Masai around anymore. There’s nothing else to it than that.

This has been a **** show from top to bottom.

[Kreamy]

But why fire him a year before his contract expires?... They still have to pay him the $15M for this upcoming season.

Because it's future cost cutting. The costs they are cutting aren't related to his current contract, it's the next contract he would have gotten if they extended him.

As to why now, they knew they weren't going to be extending him, so why keep him for just 1 more year if you know he's 100% a lame-duck? No owner in pro sports wants a lame-duck executive running their operation. They just would have been delaying the inevitable by 1 year.

They let Masai stay on until after the draft even when he had admitted the decision to part ways was made earlier. Ownership was definitely willing to have some type of lame duck exec during an important decision making period.

If it was completely a money decision to let Masai go why not let him stay on as a lame duck? If it was just money related doesn’t that imply they still believed in his ability but just didn’t want to pay? There had to be some small factor of performance related issues or else why throw away $15m this year?

I read somewhere that Rogers was banking on Masai getting hired somewhere right away, maybe with the Hawks, to offset his remaining salary.

[DelAbbot]

I want to get in the minds of everyone who wanted Masai fired and want to see what they thought would happen


All aboard the Magic School bus!

Paging:

Pretty sure they’re both banned

Speak for yourself. I'm still kicking

[JB7]

Because it's future cost cutting. The costs they are cutting aren't related to his current contract, it's the next contract he would have gotten if they extended him.

As to why now, they knew they weren't going to be extending him, so why keep him for just 1 more year if you know he's 100% a lame-duck? No owner in pro sports wants a lame-duck executive running their operation. They just would have been delaying the inevitable by 1 year.

They let Masai stay on until after the draft even when he had admitted the decision to part ways was made earlier. Ownership was definitely willing to have some type of lame duck exec during an important decision making period.

If it was completely a money decision to let Masai go why not let him stay on as a lame duck? If it was just money related doesn’t that imply they still believed in his ability but just didn’t want to pay? There had to be some small factor of performance related issues or else why throw away $15m this year?

I read somewhere that Rogers was banking on Masai getting hired somewhere right away, maybe with the Hawks, to offset his remaining salary.

Masai is too smart for that. He'll collect every dollar from the POS Rogers, before he inks a new deal with another team.

[Quattro]

This organization is cooked.

Pelley reminds me of Peddie every time he talks.

Let’s hope they leave Webster in place and just forget about the Raptors completely.

They used a transition phase that happens in every sport to get rid of Masai and are now showing they have zero clue about basketball and very clearly have no one who can guide them as they have no relationships in basketball.

They even sound the same...names sound alike, both of them speak with that greasy corporate speak where they talk for a half hour and say nothing of substance. Neither knows a damned thing about basketball...

Raptors are in good hands going forward.

[WuTang_CMB]

That said, Webster was a major contributor to those feats too, most notably the 2019 NBA title, which was driven by Kawhi Leonard. Webster played a massive role in getting the Leonard trade done with San Antonio and in fact led those talks. As a salary cap expert given he actually helped write a previous version of the collective bargaining agreement while working in New York, he also was heavily involved in strategic decisions over the years.

Webster said the major changes he’s noticed in recent weeks is more conversations with Pelley and ownership. “More personal, more direct, more consistent,” he said.

Toronto has won 341 games since Webster became GM, ninth most in the NBA, including a franchise-record 59-win campaign along with the 58-win championship season.


While recognizing the departure of Ujiri (he said there would be no awkwardness given the relationship built over years of working closely together), Webster is pleased at the continuity with himself, assistant general manager Dan Tolzman and other key members of the front office sticking around. They are hoping the Raptors are ready to turn a corner.

“With this team and with this specific point in time, it is ready to make the next step,” Webster said.

Franchise player Scottie Barnes has already said they will return to the playoffs, but Webster wouldn’t go as far as making any proclamations. He is eager to see what Darko Rajakovic does with more talent at his disposal and how a healthy Brandon Ingram elevates the group.


“I probably view it as an opportunity for me to sort of set who Bobby is, where we want this team to go. You know my personality, I’m going to lead with a smile, I’m going to lead with a lot of positivity, empower those around me, I don’t view it so much as a comparison point.”

He also mentioned on the media call that he’s done a lot of stuff “behind closed doors” versus the more public Ujiri, who was “incredibly inspirational and motivational,” he said. “But, I’m gonna be Bobby and I think people know who that is. I’ve been around the industry for a while.”

Kawhi Masai Bobby
Kawhi Leonard, centre, with then-team president Masai Ujiri, right, and general manager Bobby Webster in Toronto after being traded. Photo by Raptors /Twitter
What some might not know is that Webster is immensely competitive. Under Ujiri and Webster, the team accelerated a rebuild around Barnes after the departures of Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Now the team is expected to compete for a playoff spot, given its high payroll.

Article content
Webster will have to figure out how to get the team out of the luxury tax this season (trading Ochai Agbaji, RJ Barrett or someone else would be ways to do so) and how to reignite a passionate fan base that has been frustrated by four playoff misses over the last five seasons.

Attendance took a rare dip last season, but prices continue to rise and the economic climate in Toronto has grown dicier recently. While Pelley said in June the basketball head would not be worrying about “commercials or tickets” as a priority but would instead would be focused on basketball operations, the bottom line is sales and promotion are parts of the gig. Ujiri was very good at it and it’s an area Webster will have to master, too.

We’d bet he’ll do just fine and ownership wisely felt the same.

https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/raptors-stay-in-house-choose-bobby-webster-as-new-team-boss

[DelAbbot]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

Good for him. Now we’ll see if he or Masai was responsible for the questionable decisions the past couple of years. Hopefully he prioritizes shooting is more active on the trade market.

Given the way Bobby talked about CMB, and the fact that draft decision was the opposite of prioritizing shooting (given the context of our roster), don't bet on it.

[canada_dry]

The right decision

Sent from my SM-G960W using RealGM mobile app

[Tripod]

The confusion by some posters in this thread can be easily cleared up if you all just accept this:

Masai was let go because they were never going to extend him again at the big bucks plus ownership stake he was getting (aka future cost cutting), but they will never, ever, outright admit this to the fanbase. The reason they will never admit it is simple: it would be even worse PR than just leaving the fans "guessing" (even though it's obvious) forever.

But why fire him a year before his contract expires?... They still have to pay him the $15M for this upcoming season.

Because you fire him now coming off 2 rebuilding years and poor records....not next off season coming off a potential 45+win season.

Again, PR would be worse.

And frankly with Ed not liking him, he doesn't want him around, doesn't want to see him, and doesn't want any outside pressure to resign him.

And a lame duck decision maker is a risky thing to have....especially if you want him gone. What if Masai pulls off a miracle trade and lands a star. That would be a PR nightmare for Ed.

So doing it now, bad record, BI trade is in the rear view mirror, and didn't win the lottery. Perfect time to move a guy you don't like but the majority of fans, do.

[JB7]

The confusion by some posters in this thread can be easily cleared up if you all just accept this:

Masai was let go because they were never going to extend him again at the big bucks plus ownership stake he was getting (aka future cost cutting), but they will never, ever, outright admit this to the fanbase. The reason they will never admit it is simple: it would be even worse PR than just leaving the fans "guessing" (even though it's obvious) forever.

But why fire him a year before his contract expires?... They still have to pay him the $15M for this upcoming season.

Because you fire him now coming off 2 rebuilding years and poor records....not next off season coming off a potential 45+win season.

Again, PR would be worse.

And frankly with Ed not liking him, he doesn't want him around, doesn't want to see him, and doesn't want any outside pressure to resign him.

And a lame duck decision maker is a risky thing to have....especially if you want him gone. What if Masai pulls off a miracle trade and lands a star. That would be a PR nightmare for Ed.

So doing it now, bad record, BI trade is in the rear view mirror, and didn't win the lottery. Perfect time to move a guy you don't like but the majority of fans, do.

Yep, the moment that POS Rogers took over MLSE, the writing was on the wall for Masai, and he knew it. Rogers just picked a moment when he would have less opposition to the move.

Rogers is a Trump fan boy, and Masai to Rogers is like Obama to Trump.

[TimeForChange]

what a great offseason.

got rid of masai, drafted CMB and bobby is the new PBO.

Let's **** go!!!!!!!!!

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

The fact that MLSE opted for status quo, instead of cleaning house and bringing in someone new, tells us a couple things. Firstly, it reiterates what we already knew: the Ujiri firing had more to do with money than vision. It also says that this new-look ownership group, led by Pelley and a Rogers-controlled board, still believes in the plan.

If that’s the case, the younger and less expensive Webster is the logical choice to pick up where Ujiri left off. After meeting with members of the MLSE board over the past month and getting to know Pelley better in Vegas over Summer League, and vice versa, his new deal was finalized over the weekend.

From a basketball standpoint, it’s hard to imagine him taking over and completely overhauling the roster. He may not have been in lockstep with every decision that his former boss made, but they clearly share a vision.

Webster was one of Ujiri’s first hires back in 2013, then as the vice president of basketball management and strategy. He’s had his hands in every move the team has made over the last decade-plus, including playing a key role in the Kawhi Leonard trade that led to Toronto’s 2019 championship, but he didn’t have final say or full autonomy on any of them. This is his chance to prove that he’s more than just Ujiri’s right-hand man, an expert salary cap manager, or front office wunderkind.

“I grew up playing basketball as a small kid and to have it lead all the way here is unbelievable,” Webster said. “In many ways, I’m ahead of my time. I finished university at 20, GM at 30, we win a title at 32, I’m here in this position at 40. So, a lot of it is leading people that are older than you, leading people that are often more experienced. Now I’m transitioning to be that person with more experience, but I am still sort of relatable and young. Generationally, I’m not going to be this authoritarian corner office type.”

Having spent nearly half his life in the NBA, Webster isn’t lacking for relevant experience. He hasn’t just learned from Ujiri, but also MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, former Raptors GM and current Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman, the legendary Wayne Embry and NBA commissioners Adam Silver and the late David Stern at the league office, where he helped write the old CBA. He understands the market and what makes it unique. He’s savvy, well regarded, and has a good eye for talent. If the Raptors weren’t willing to give him this opportunity, somebody else would have in short order.

He's not Ujiri, but he doesn’t have to be to have success in this role or eventually earn the title of president. He doesn’t need to win the press conference to the degree that Ujiri did if he finds a way to win where it matters most. That’s where he can really make a name for himself.

“I view it as an opportunity for me to [show] who Bobby is and where we want this team to go,” he said. “You know my personality. Obviously, I’m going to lead with a smile. I’m going to lead with a lot of positivity, empower those around me.”

“Masai was incredibly inspirational and motivational… But I’m going to be Bobby and I think people know who that is.”