UPDATED NEW Poll: Masai Ujiri Approval Rating - July 17-19

[dTox]

He has yet to do anything that I disapprove of, which is a great start

[dTox]

50/50,

50 for both Andrea trade and strengthen the bench depth. The other 50 is keeping BC's dream core.

Damn man, I just wanna know Masai's intentions

Its a difficult process to sit in purgotory but its good that he hasn't revealed anything to the media yet, regardless of which way he goes, very rarely do you see elite GM's scream tank (referencing Babcock), or "we're going to make the playoffs" on a lotto team (like the way BC has). It also keeps our players value high with competitors not knowing if we're tanking (and having a fire sale--so they can lowball us).

[God Squad]

IMO enough hasn't happened to really give a valuable opinion on Massi. Bags and this are his real moves. Judging by that he gets my approval. He was actually able to get something of value from the Knicks.

[nodeal]

I really like this, will be looking forward to the results every time.

For me
Opener - Approve
Psycho T - (Still)Approve

Expanding a bit each individual move
Bargnani - Strongly Approve
Psycho T - Approve

[hankscorpioLA]

I am curious to see the effect of Masai coming out of the Cone of Silence to speak to the media shortly.

What he has to say may be as revealing as anything he has actually done to this point.

[Zeno]

I am curious to see the effect of Masai coming out of the Cone of Silence to speak to the media shortly.

What he has to say may be as revealing as anything he has actually done to this point.

He'll probably say absolutely nothing agin. It's Casey's comments that in hindsight might have signalled this move. He's not nearly as good at being evasive. I'm more interested in what he says.

[Raps in 4]

It's hard to evaluate him considering he's hardly done anything. Trading Bustnani was great, but I'd like to see more changes.

[Ari_Emanuel]

because of psycho t and novak?

Because nothing they have done or said suggests its part of their thinking.

Thus far Masai has pretty much looked to bolster the bench by addressing two key needs - a consistent 3 point threat and a defensive-minded hustle player.

Why do you bolster your bench if you are going to tank?

And where are the moves for Rudy Gay and/or Demar Derozan? Its already clear that Masai isn't going to make a complete dump (rejected the Detroit deal). So who out there is in a position to offer us expiring contracts and prospects for either of those guys? And what indication have you gotten that they are even shopping them? Piece together all the whisperings and the message is that Masai is listening to offers and probably letting people know that Gay is available, but he's not shopping either of them aggressively.

Take a step back and you see a GM that is looking to build around the talent he has by addressing the weakest points of the roster.

*Edited for readability

Masai is making the logical play. We have enough talent on this team to warrant giving it a try - at least for half a season. At the same time, it's obvious MU isn't completely confident in our core otherwise he'd probably be offering longer term deals.

Raps are in an ideal situation: we can test the core but if it fails, we have enough roster flexibility to dump contracts and trade for young players and picks if things don't pan out.

> at 1 year, $3M per TH can easily be moved
> Lowry is an easy trade chip as he's an expiring and is a solid player at worst
> Rudy Gay will be an appealing asset by the trade deadline when he'll only have 1.5 years remaining, with a player option to boot.
> Amir is tradeable
> LK is an expiring

[fredericklove]

50/50,

50 for both Andrea trade and strengthen the bench depth. The other 50 is keeping BC's dream core.

Damn man, I just wanna know Masai's intentions

Its a difficult process to sit in purgotory but its good that he hasn't revealed anything to the media yet, regardless of which way he goes, very rarely do you see elite GM's scream tank (referencing Babcock), or "we're going to make the playoffs" on a lotto team (like the way BC has). It also keeps our players value high with competitors not knowing if we're tanking (and having a fire sale--so they can lowball us).

Yeah I agree, this is probably one of the reasons why Masai's able to make all these great deals so far without overpaying or over giving. I'm really impressed w/ Masai turning from a scout into a trade bargain specialist, very very impressive.

[MrBojangelz71]

1) Are you privy to information that tells you MU is done dealing, and that we have cemented our starting lineup with the same cast as last season? Do you believe that Andrea was the one and only trade he will make before the season begins? You act as though MU’s only intentions for his new team was to trade Andrea and through that deal he would address toughness, leadership, 3pnt shooting and net a high unprotected lottery pick. I am sure that there will be a few more moves prior to this season starting, and 3pnt shooting will be addressed, unless he wants to tank it.

2) So were exactly will our pick fall? That’s right, you haven’t a clue. But regardless, please tell me what assets we should have been able to grab in an Andrea trade? Do you believe we could have netted an unprotected lottery pick? What were you expecting here, and how realistic are you expectations.

I mean, most basketball experts, the guys that get paid to report on this game, rated MU’s move very high, and blasted NYC for giving up draft picks for Bargnani. You go to the main board and most posters thought we made out like bandits in this deal. Most but you see the value we got for Bargnani, but please tell us what you believe he was worth?

3) And once again, were was it stated that the MU signed Hansbrough to address leadership and 3pnt shooting? Why are you having trouble comprehending that MU can make further deals, further signings or that he could turn around and trade Hansbrough as a useable, semi cheap expiring for a very serviceable big. This deal was to net a bench big that can provide grit and toughness, and 6 very hard fouls.

If you believe that a 2 year deal, with a team option on the second year, at under 3mill is a bad signing, you must have been in a coma through the BC era.

1) I stated on my first post that maybe it is still early. Did you fail to read? However, this post is based on this current performance, and I see no wrong for criticizing the new moves.

2) The 1st pick is pretty much low, and if you want to argue that there is a 5% chance a 2nd rounder can be a regular NBA player, which worth something, then I have nothing to say. It is pretty much useless for those picks, and we may need to buyout or use those picks to send Camby out. I would rather amnesty Bargnani if I am to buyout Camby's contract.

Meanwhile, the biggest issue I have is businesses trying to interfere with basketball decision. If they ask for patient, why they have to trade Bargnani in a hurry? If you believe he has more to deals on the way, why only Bargnani is dealt on the July 1st? To me, they are doing it for the sake of doing it, instead of maximizing value or having a proper direction. It looks like business people are trying to interfere with basketball decisions, which is the biggest issue I have (typical Rogers/Bell ways of doing things). I wouldn't mind trading away Bargnani, but if we are getting a bad contract in Camby, we are pretty much sending those 1st picks out.

3) We have limited cap space, unless we are trading Gay and Lowry. We still have backup PG to address, and I assume that would be another minimum player who does no help to our backcourt. I am also uncertain about the starting PF.

I find it funny that in one breath you are chastising MU for not taking his time with trading Andrea, but in another breath you are calling him out for not making the big changes that you feel this team needs, i.e 3pnt shooting, vet leadership, unprotected lottery picks, mere weeks after taking the job. Which way should we judge him?

If a 2nd round pick can be used to drop Camby and his contract, does that not contradict your “2nd round picks are useless”?

That is exactly why they are not useless, they can be fillers, enticers, or assets that differentiates our offer from another team. If you can add a cherry on top in the form of a 2nd round pick, it maybe something that privies you to a good deal. We need assets in the form of picks, its somthing we have lacked for the past several years, and how has that worked out for us?

Have you been around for the past few seasons? Andrea has pretty much been injured for most of it. Do you believe waiting around for him to get his next injury would maximize his value?

And not sure you realize that if you send out a bad contract, i.e. Andrea and 2 years 23 million, and you take on a less bad contract, i.e. Camby at 2 years 7 million, you have bettered your situation. You do get that right?

So I beg to ask the question, what team was going to trade us a starting 2 guard with a great contract, along with a veteran leader and some high lottery picks that are unprotected? Please list.

And, while you are at it, please tell us what value you believe Andrea has, that MU failed to maximize on. What do you believe was out there that was better. Also, explain how waiting on Andrea, having him stink it up on the court, get injured, and sit out the rest of the season would increase his value?

Your argument against MU is simply that he didn’t trade Andrea fricking Bargnani for an all-star starting 2 guard that ranks in the top 5 for 3pnt %, and is on a great contract and provides veteran leadership. Seems reasonable to me….

[hankscorpioLA]

Well?

How did the presser affect your opinion?

I'm still where I was, but I can imagine a lot of the hard-core tankers may be unhappy right now.

[nodeal]

Well?

How did the presser affect your opinion?

I'm still where I was, but I can imagine a lot of the hard-core tankers may be unhappy right now.

Based on expectations, that interview was pro rebuild. When you have rebuilding plans you say you are being patient and weighing your options. When you have win now plans, you tell everyone about them and leave no doubt. You probably wont see much of a shift in the poll.

[scopy]

Well?

How did the presser affect your opinion?

I'm still where I was, but I can imagine a lot of the hard-core tankers may be unhappy right now.

I like this guy. He's definitely trying his best to improve the team, but he's not going to be suckered into a bad deal. Saying "I'm happy with our current team going into the season" is a great poker face, and there's probably some truth to it.
I think he was aggressive on draft night and couldn't get what he wanted. Right now the Raptors are the laughing stock of the league, so even when you come across FA's that you might want like Brandan Wright or Chris Copeland and they don't want to come here (speculation) then there is only so much you can do and that has to be frustrating. But you don't sell the farm or overpay, that's what I like about the guy.
Im with Masai "come hell or high water".

[Reignman]

I'm switching to strongly agree now.

[hankscorpioLA]

So the Hansbrough signing and the press appearances yesterday do not appear to have moved the poll. We are now sitting at an 80% approval rating for Masai Ujiri.

This is confusing to me.

We appear to have a forum that is bitterly divided over the direction of the team. Not only are there pro- and anti-tankers, but there is disagreement over the actual direction that Masai is taking.

What gives?

One possibility is that those who believe we are tanking represent a much smaller minority than they appear. That seems less likely to me.

More likely is the odd situation where both sides are approving of Masai's performance based on the belief that he is following their preferred path. One side looks at the words and the actions and hears "tank" and the other side hears those same words and thinks "playoffs".

This is somewhat analogous to when Barack Obama was elected. A lot of people saw him as a moderate with a very centrist economic vision who would work to bridge the political divide. Others saw him as the savior of the left who would undo all the evils of the Bush Administration.

Until reality sets in, people tend to want to see what they want to see.

That certainly seems to be the case here so far.

[BBS22]

I voted disapprove.

I do not approve the direction this club is taking. In a year where everyone got stronger (nearly everyone), Ujiri wants to compete instead of tank in a strong draft class. Ujiri did a lot of great office moves (getting rid of Jim Kelly and etc) and getting rid of Bargs. But I fear he's building a treadmill similar to one in Denver. To me that just screams BC. I have zero interest in getting the 8th spot to get destroyed by Miami. We aren't there yet with a talent pool and bench. Or by Indiana and other contenders. I don't have some crazy theory that when Ujiri says he believes in karma and puts down tanking, he means we're tanking. He wants to compete this early.

Prove me wrong Ujiri, Only a month or two into your tenure. I do not like hearing "two year plans", delaying the inevitable.

[Maddogfromto]

I'm on board with Masai, he actually seems to be addressing our weaknesses ( 3 point shooting and toughness)

Instead of BC who seemed to have no plan at all when it came to building a team

[hankscorpioLA]

I voted disapprove.

I do not approve the direction this club is taking. In a year where everyone got stronger (nearly everyone), Ujiri wants to compete instead of tank in a strong draft class. Ujiri did a lot of great office moves (getting rid of Jim Kelly and etc) and getting rid of Bargs. But I fear he's building a treadmill similar to one in Denver. To me that just screams BC. I have zero interest in getting the 8th spot to get destroyed by Miami. We aren't there yet with a talent pool and bench. Or by Indiana and other contenders. I don't have some crazy theory that when Ujiri says he believes in karma and puts down tanking, he means we're tanking. He wants to compete this early.

Prove me wrong Ujiri, Only a month or two into your tenure. I do not like hearing "two year plans", delaying the inevitable.

How does Denver qualify as a treadmill team? They had 57 wins and the fourth best record in the league. They lost in the first round, but it was a tight series AND they did not have their second-leading scorer in Galinari.

If that's your definition of a treadmill team, then I'll happily get on board with it.

[BBS22]

I voted disapprove.

I do not approve the direction this club is taking. In a year where everyone got stronger (nearly everyone), Ujiri wants to compete instead of tank in a strong draft class. Ujiri did a lot of great office moves (getting rid of Jim Kelly and etc) and getting rid of Bargs. But I fear he's building a treadmill similar to one in Denver. To me that just screams BC. I have zero interest in getting the 8th spot to get destroyed by Miami. We aren't there yet with a talent pool and bench. Or by Indiana and other contenders. I don't have some crazy theory that when Ujiri says he believes in karma and puts down tanking, he means we're tanking. He wants to compete this early.

Prove me wrong Ujiri, Only a month or two into your tenure. I do not like hearing "two year plans", delaying the inevitable.

How does Denver qualify as a treadmill team? They had 57 wins and the fourth best record in the league. They lost in the first round, but it was a tight series AND they did not have their second-leading scorer in Galinari.

If that's your definition of a treadmill team, then I'll happily get on board with it.

A treadmill team is one that can barely improve and barely get worse, usually lack superstars. Nuggets don't have one of the few superstars you need in his league to succeed. What else can they do to add to the core? Serious question. Package to help and improve to 58 wins? I like the team being young, athletic and defense minded. But those are pieces not a championship core.

Look at all the champions of the past few years. Superstar players. Nuggets have great chemistry, decent pieces but nothing that will get them ahead of OKC, Miami, Spurs, possibly even Golden State/Rockets.

I want a franchise changing player we can build around. Wiggins or anyone top 5 in this draft has that potential. Build around them, not this flawed treadmill core of Demar/Lowry/Rudy or Galinari/Lawson/Faried.

[Scase]

So the Hansbrough signing and the press appearances yesterday do not appear to have moved the poll. We are now sitting at an 80% approval rating for Masai Ujiri.

This is confusing to me.

We appear to have a forum that is bitterly divided over the direction of the team. Not only are there pro- and anti-tankers, but there is disagreement over the actual direction that Masai is taking.

What gives?

One possibility is that those who believe we are tanking represent a much smaller minority than they appear. That seems less likely to me.

More likely is the odd situation where both sides are approving of Masai's performance based on the belief that he is following their preferred path. One side looks at the words and the actions and hears "tank" and the other side hears those same words and thinks "playoffs".

This is somewhat analogous to when Barack Obama was elected. A lot of people saw him as a moderate with a very centrist economic vision who would work to bridge the political divide. Others saw him as the savior of the left who would undo all the evils of the Bush Administration.

Until reality sets in, people tend to want to see what they want to see.

That certainly seems to be the case here so far.

MU has not showed clearly which way he's leaning and contrary to what most anti-tankers seem to think, the people for tanking are rather patient. Until he makes a clear move in one direction or the other I don't foresee a whole lot of change to the approval rating over the next coming weeks.

There simply has not been anything groundbreaking enough to warrant people having strong feelings.