Deep Dive into Masai's Presidency

[Reeko]

Riley, Buford, West, Myers, Ainge, Presti

I think Masai is somewhere in the Morey range.

Those other guys have won multiple titles, been sustained contenders, and have assets galore.

Buford now finally is in the rebuild so his time to fall has come after 2 decades of greatness.

Presti didn't win a title but he built a sustained contender and made a mistake with Harden and then KD left, but even now he's reset and they have assets galore.

Masai's one season cannot ignore everything around it. Lebronto did happen or were we not a laughing stock just two years ago?

Where to begin with this post. You say that Masai fluked his way into getting Kawhi, yet you list Buford as superior despite him actually fluking his way to Tim Duncan because Robinson got injured that season and they lucked into the #1 pick. Buford is a great GM and was able to surround Duncan with excellent players and coaching staff. But the fact remains that he drafted the consensus #1 pick and 4 year college player onto a team that needed an alpha dog to get them over the hump.

Jerry West won many titles as the GM of the Lakers, who acquire more star free agents in any given decade than most teams see in their entire existence. He is without a doubt one of the greatest basketball executives ever, but he has also had the advantage of working in the most glamorous, influential and well recognized basketball organization in the world. With that being said, what happened when he became the GM of a franchise that was not a major free agent destination, a franchise that was in a moribund state? Well he created a perennial playoff team in Memphis, that never won a championship. I'll leave it to you to decide which of the two situations he worked in mirrored Masai and the Raptors more.

All of the executives you listed are excellent, but to say that they are all above Masai is a bit ridiculous.

Buford lucked into TD, and yet TD was on his last legs and guess what, another superstar level talent is on their team they drafted at 15? Kawhi leaving sucked but they didn't just have TD. To think they actually segue'd from TD to Kawhi almost seamlessly shows how incredible he is. The leaving and all was just one of the those situations.

With regard to West, sure but the clout is there, and not only that, he actually did quite a bit. He was the key factor in getting Klay and Draymond and creating that deep team that won 73 games. Steph was there sure, but constructing a 73 win team is no small feat that one superstar can do alone. You're right, he probably was a key factor in luring KD, but that power still reigns true and it was a key factor in Kawhi going to LAC as well.

They are above Masai. They have done more, have more titles, and built consistent contenders.

One off title and then the team the year later being again a 2nd round fodder team shouldn't give all the credit and goodwill forever. He gets credit for the Kawhi trade but you have to look at it all and think that yeah, this team doesn't look like it will win like that again for a very long time.

Presti didn't win a title, but the team that he built is better than anything Masai built for longevity. I trust him with building a team and acquiring talent to build a contender honestly.

Winning a title in Masai's case was a great achievement was a bit of a fluke where the stars aligned where Kawhi wanted out and he came for one season.

Everyone can disagree but look at the state of talent on the team currently.

I don't think you'll get much push back in saying that Buford and West, who have been leading organizations for decades, have a better resume than Masai. However, if you're going to give West a lion's share of the credit in building the Warriors, which by most accounts he rightfully deserves, then you cannot put Myers up on a pedestal with him. Myers has not done anything of note since West left, that I am aware of other than not losing Durant for nothing and getting DLo in return.

As for Presti, he drafted well in three consecutive drafts and it got him to a Finals appearance in 2012 and a blown 3-1 lead in the WCF. He's also shown an inability to recognize what talent he should prioritize, i.e. signing Ibaka ahead of Harden and coming to the conclusion that Westbrook was the Alpha dog on the Thunder ahead of Durant.

Ainge has delivered the same number of titles as Masai, one. In fact he was practically gifted that title by his old friend Kevin Mchale, when Mchale decided to trade KG for Al Jefferson and some spare change. Later he was fortunate to take advantage of Billy King by getting a boatload of draft picks for the remains of Garnett and Pierce. I don't believe that Ainge has shown that he is demonstrably better than Masai, in fact I would put them in the same category and perhaps I would put Masai ahead of him, given that Ainge has far more connections within NBA circles having been part of the Celtics family for decades.

[Basketball_Jones]

I've been a Masai skeptic in the past as well. But I do like the direction things are going, though this bridge year before the big free agency of 2021 is going to look pretty mediocre I'm guessing. Fingers crossed the plan works

[MixxSRC]

Masai is the level where replacing him results in downgrade anyway. So even if we to agree that Buford and Presti are above him they are not leaving their situations. So Raps are lucky to have Masai. He delivered a championship and should be untouchable.

[C Court]

Even when we have nice things, some people would rather we not.

[carl_english]

The first step to being a contender is to make the playoffs, and the Raptors have made the playoffs pretty much every single season since Masai took over. Masai’s next job is to find a new top 5 player to build around but that is super difficult. Even the Bucks who have a top 3 player is out of the playoffs. Masai is without a doubt a top executive in the NBA. There is not much more to say; who would you rather have replace him?

Bring back Colanjello

[Steelo Green]

Where to begin with this post. You say that Masai fluked his way into getting Kawhi, yet you list Buford as superior despite him actually fluking his way to Tim Duncan because Robinson got injured that season and they lucked into the #1 pick. Buford is a great GM and was able to surround Duncan with excellent players and coaching staff. But the fact remains that he drafted the consensus #1 pick and 4 year college player onto a team that needed an alpha dog to get them over the hump.

Jerry West won many titles as the GM of the Lakers, who acquire more star free agents in any given decade than most teams see in their entire existence. He is without a doubt one of the greatest basketball executives ever, but he has also had the advantage of working in the most glamorous, influential and well recognized basketball organization in the world. With that being said, what happened when he became the GM of a franchise that was not a major free agent destination, a franchise that was in a moribund state? Well he created a perennial playoff team in Memphis, that never won a championship. I'll leave it to you to decide which of the two situations he worked in mirrored Masai and the Raptors more.

All of the executives you listed are excellent, but to say that they are all above Masai is a bit ridiculous.

Buford lucked into TD, and yet TD was on his last legs and guess what, another superstar level talent is on their team they drafted at 15? Kawhi leaving sucked but they didn't just have TD. To think they actually segue'd from TD to Kawhi almost seamlessly shows how incredible he is. The leaving and all was just one of the those situations.

With regard to West, sure but the clout is there, and not only that, he actually did quite a bit. He was the key factor in getting Klay and Draymond and creating that deep team that won 73 games. Steph was there sure, but constructing a 73 win team is no small feat that one superstar can do alone. You're right, he probably was a key factor in luring KD, but that power still reigns true and it was a key factor in Kawhi going to LAC as well.

They are above Masai. They have done more, have more titles, and built consistent contenders.

One off title and then the team the year later being again a 2nd round fodder team shouldn't give all the credit and goodwill forever. He gets credit for the Kawhi trade but you have to look at it all and think that yeah, this team doesn't look like it will win like that again for a very long time.

Presti didn't win a title, but the team that he built is better than anything Masai built for longevity. I trust him with building a team and acquiring talent to build a contender honestly.

Winning a title in Masai's case was a great achievement was a bit of a fluke where the stars aligned where Kawhi wanted out and he came for one season.

Everyone can disagree but look at the state of talent on the team currently.

I don't think you'll get much push back in saying that Buford and West, who have been leading organizations for decades, have a better resume than Masai. However, if you're going to give West a lion's share of the credit in building the Warriors, which by most accounts he rightfully deserves, then you cannot put Myers up on a pedestal with him. Myers has not done anything of note since West left, that I am aware of other than not losing Durant for nothing and getting DLo in return.

As for Presti, he drafted well in three consecutive drafts and it got him to a Finals appearance in 2012 and a blown 3-1 lead in the WCF. He's also shown an inability to recognize what talent he should prioritize, i.e. signing Ibaka ahead of Harden and coming to the conclusion that Westbrook was the Alpha dog on the Thunder ahead of Durant.

Ainge has delivered the same number of titles as Masai, one. In fact he was practically gifted that title by his old friend Kevin Mchale, when Mchale decided to trade KG for Al Jefferson and some spare change. Later he was fortunate to take advantage of Billy King by getting a boatload of draft picks for the remains of Garnett and Pierce. I don't believe that Ainge has shown that he is demonstrably better than Masai, in fact I would put them in the same category and perhaps I would put Masai ahead of him, given that Ainge has far more connections within NBA circles having been part of the Celtics family for decades.

Thanks for an actual mature response, I do appreciate it. There doesn't need to be vitriol in a discussion.

Fair enough.

To each their own.

As I have said, I am trying to just peel back the layers of Masai and I hope I am wrong but Masai has been a bit hit and miss in terms of team building, so the direction will be squarely on how he deals with the Fred situation.

A bad contract would give me an indication he is thinking this group without Kyle can be the start of something, which I think would be a huge mistake, but given how he treated the Demar/Casey situation, it wouldn't be far from the history he has done.

Masai is a good GM, but last years win has made people overlook his overall resume, which can't simply be ignored IMO especially now that Kyle will not be a great player anymore.

We all agreed this season was house money, but Masai has to start making moves, and being bold, and if the aim is Giannis or bust, I am weary considering we haven't even garnered a meeting with a top FA in our teams history.

[Steelo Green]

The first step to being a contender is to make the playoffs, and the Raptors have made the playoffs pretty much every single season since Masai took over. Masai’s next job is to find a new top 5 player to build around but that is super difficult. Even the Bucks who have a top 3 player is out of the playoffs. Masai is without a doubt a top executive in the NBA. There is not much more to say; who would you rather have replace him?

Bring back Colanjello

For the umpteenth time, you can critique without asking for a replacement lol.

Or is that not what a forum is for.

[Steelo Green]

Like how you referenced your assertion that Fred/Pascal would struggle against Boston at the beginning of your post. As if that's someway reflective of special insight or clairvoyance, or proof that we should take you seriously. Everyone knew they would struggle against their length. That wasn't a bold prediction.

Anyways, I'm a simple man. I see a Steelo Green thread, my brain sends me this message :

Well the same people who were high-fiving and And+ing one another as though their hubris could not be held and they were verklemp with excitement from a G-league win all of a sudden became sour on those same two players after the series was over. Same people saying I am an idiot for saying Fred is overrated or Pascal has no distinct offensive skill. So yeah, I will mention that it's ironic that it's the same mob mentality here of not actually discussing facts and thinking posting memes and gifs and simply saying terrible take without actually reading, is continued again.

This is a forum discussing basketball, and Masai has had some real blunders that need to be brought to light. We are now with a dearth of talent and our best player not named Kawhi for almost the entire decade is about to be at the end of his days, so really where are we?

We never built a contender, we built a one off year.

No one knew they would struggle with their length, that's the hilarious part. Everyone was saying pay Fred 30, and that Pascal will just figure it out.

Switching narratives post facto has become the common theme and it has become discussed ad nauseam.

Critiquing someone rightly so being met with personal shots shows who actually has something to bring to a discussion.

As of now a few people have responded given me solid responses, but holistically it's the same jargon.

I was called BC's wife and for some reason that is +1 simply because I am criticizing Masai.

Cult like mentality here.[/

Oh, there’s nothing personal here at all. I just don’t agree with your opinion. I think Masai’s the best in the league. His successful decisions far outstrip his failures, and he’s fielded one of the leagues most winningest teams (second behind GSW I think?) since 2013-2014. Not sure what else you want.

You think you’re a brave outlier for pointing out the mistakes he’s made, which are so few they can spelled out in about 100 minutes words? You’re being a contrarian because you’re bored.

Again, people assume intention based on literally nothing.

100 words? lol, I mean I guess you really didn't read or choose to not because it goes against your narrative.

[Raptors_128]

Presti is not a better executive than Masai. He is so overrated.

Presti is great a drafting and great at trades but, he can’t build a roster. I would even say he is one of the worst at roster construction. He’s had plenty of HOF talent come though that organization but, could not surround that talent with the right supporting cast.

Masai is great at drafting, great at trades, and great at roster construction. He’s done a lot more with a lot less. His only lottery pick in Toronto was 9th in a weak draft.

I would say Masai’s only weakness is overpaying players but, in the NBA where there is no hard cap a slight overpay is not that big a deal.

[Steelo Green]

Who the **** just wakes up today and realizes we only had one year of a real championship team and seems surprised by the revelation.

See this is the funny thing, I said, we have not built a consistent contender, just the Demar years that everyone here was ready to fire Masai.

I am not saying kudos to the title, but Masai's entire tenure is a bit of an odd one.

But sure, conjecture and paraphrasing incorrectly.

[Johnny Bball]

Who the **** just wakes up today and realizes we only had one year of a real championship team and seems surprised by the revelation.

See this is the funny thing, I said, we have not built a consistent contender, just the Demar years that everyone here was ready to fire Masai.

I am not saying kudos to the title, but Masai's entire tenure is a bit of an odd one.

But sure, conjecture and paraphrasing incorrectly.

The funny thing.... I know you've actually talked yourself into believing this lie is true. Not that the idea even matters. But sure, continue with the hyperbole. What a piece of work this is.

[GordanFreeman]

Who the **** just wakes up today and realizes we only had one year of a real championship team and seems surprised by the revelation.

See this is the funny thing, I said, we have not built a consistent contender, just the Demar years that everyone here was ready to fire Masai.

I am not saying kudos to the title, but Masai's entire tenure is a bit of an odd one.

But sure, conjecture and paraphrasing incorrectly.

Only you, your mother and your failure of a father and 1 or two other brain dead members were posting crap like this in our forum.

Personal attack. Warned.
niQ

[Ackshun]

A bad contract would give me an indication he is thinking this group without Kyle can be the start of something, which I think would be a huge mistake, but given how he treated the Demar/Casey situation, it wouldn't be far from the history he has done.

He inherited the "Demar/Case situation", and to be fair, it wasn't a terrible team. They managed to find the treadmill long enough to sustain it until it just didn't make sense any more. I don't blame him, because we all thought next year would be the year we broke through. Yeah we didn't buy into Demarre Carroll and a few other moves at the wing to get us there, but you deal with the chips you have.

Aldridge considered coming here. I hear our name more today in FA discussion than I ever have. We have a ship. We seem to have an awesome scouting department. Our coaching system has turned out quite a few success stories over the years. We have THEE best athletic trainer. Our developmental staff is awesome where guys like Paul Watson, TD and host of other young guys sign, because they trust us. We have a G LEAGUE team down the street with a great facility. We're in the playoffs year in and year out, putting more money in MLSE's hands while continuing to build our reputation as a winning organisation. This organisation has inspired current and future generations to believe. People is Saskatchewan TALK about the Raptors!!!

I'm not gonna judge Masai by the few mistakes he has made with the on-court product. Dude has done incredible job building the organisational structure we have today. And the story isn't written yet.


So to you sir, I kindly say (but with a bit of vitreous), gitdafucouttahere just kidding but yeah

[Steelo Green]

Who the **** just wakes up today and realizes we only had one year of a real championship team and seems surprised by the revelation.

See this is the funny thing, I said, we have not built a consistent contender, just the Demar years that everyone here was ready to fire Masai.

I am not saying kudos to the title, but Masai's entire tenure is a bit of an odd one.

But sure, conjecture and paraphrasing incorrectly.

Only you, your mother and your failure of a father and 1 or two other brain dead members were posting crap like this in our forum.

Really? It was a lot of people but I guess people change their tune after greater pastures.

Also, quite the mature and level headed response.

[Steelo Green]

Who the **** just wakes up today and realizes we only had one year of a real championship team and seems surprised by the revelation.

See this is the funny thing, I said, we have not built a consistent contender, just the Demar years that everyone here was ready to fire Masai.

I am not saying kudos to the title, but Masai's entire tenure is a bit of an odd one.

But sure, conjecture and paraphrasing incorrectly.

The funny thing.... I know you've actually talked yourself into believing this lie is true. Not that the idea even matters. But sure, continue with the hyperbole. What a piece of work this is.

Uhh, no plenty of people were ready to fire Masai after the second Lebronto.

Same people saying evaluating as a joke and Casey too long and why keep going with mediocre Derozan.

Revisionist history is always fun.

[Steelo Green]

A bad contract would give me an indication he is thinking this group without Kyle can be the start of something, which I think would be a huge mistake, but given how he treated the Demar/Casey situation, it wouldn't be far from the history he has done.

He inherited the "Demar/Case situation", and to be fair, it wasn't a terrible team. They managed to find the treadmill long enough to sustain it until it just didn't make sense any more. I don't blame him, because we all thought next year would be the year we broke through. Yeah we didn't buy into Demarre Carroll and a few other moves at the wing to get us there, but you deal with the chips you have.

Aldridge considered coming here. I hear our name more today in FA discussion than I ever have. We have a ship. We seem to have an awesome scouting department. Our coaching system has turned out quite a few success stories over the years. We have THEE best athletic trainer. Our developmental staff is awesome where guys like Paul Watson, TD and host of other young guys sign, because they trust us. We have a G LEAGUE team down the street with a great facility. We're in the playoffs year in and year out, putting more money in MLSE's hands while continuing to build our reputation as a winning organisation. This organisation has inspired current and future generations to believe. People is Saskatchewan TALK about the Raptors!!!

I'm not gonna judge Masai by the few mistakes he has made with the on-court product. Dude has done incredible job building the organisational structure we have today. And the story isn't written yet.


So to you sir, I kindly say (but with a bit of vitreous), gitdafucouttahere just kidding but yeah

Few things - no one said drop Demar and Kyle year one, but after the Wizards sweep at the very least Casey should have been fired.

The second sweep it was unbelievable that he wasn’t and again that was a huge blemish.

You’re overrating our young talent. Paul Watson is barely NBA caliber.

Everyone needs to stop with the best athletic trainer, we have a great staff but it’s not like Kawhi isn’t playing healthy and at an elite level this year.

With regard to the blemishes, it’s actually a lot more than a few that of course Kawhi saved and that’s the point - Kawhi saved a pretty inconsistent presidency. For some reason that means I must love BC because the only alternative to critiquing Masai is someone much worse lol.

We have yet to sign and big ticket FA so I don’t think that’s really a point.

Masai has done a good not a great job is my point and right now we look pretty barren on talent moving forward.

[casual_raps_fan]

The Raptors won a championship.

The Raptors have made the playoffs every season since he's joined.

Moving forward, it doesn't look like we will be missing the playoffs anytime soon. Even if we don't sign a super star in free agency, we are probably going to be treadmilling as a 2nd round playoff team. That's amazing especially considering we are a Canadian team.

It sounds really nit picky to question him because of a few questionable decisions on a micro level when he basically has a perfect record on a macro level.

[Johnny Bball]

See this is the funny thing, I said, we have not built a consistent contender, just the Demar years that everyone here was ready to fire Masai.

I am not saying kudos to the title, but Masai's entire tenure is a bit of an odd one.

But sure, conjecture and paraphrasing incorrectly.

The funny thing.... I know you've actually talked yourself into believing this lie is true. Not that the idea even matters. But sure, continue with the hyperbole. What a piece of work this is.

Uhh, no plenty of people were ready to fire Masai after the second Lebronto.

Same people saying evaluating as a joke and Casey too long and why keep going with mediocre Derozan.

Revisionist history is always fun.

So quickly, "Everyone" becomes "plenty of people" and "evaluating" means "ready to fire", and you have gone from "mediocre presidency" to "has done a good but not great job". Like I said, I know you've actually talked yourself into believing this lie is true.

[Pooh_Jeter]

Masai left Denver for the money and allure of a bigger market and now that Denver team he left without building into a contender is poised to be one for many years to come.

People here act like Masai getting an all-star calibre player at 27 is the greatest thing since sliced bread, yet the Nuggets got an MVP calibre player who doesn't choke in the playoffs in the 2nd round. Jamal Murray is the exact type of guard you need in the modern NBA. MPJ has more potential than any player on the Raptors roster.

It's funny how they could lose this incredible executive, but then end up in a better position than the team he currently resides over.

[OakleyDokely]

Masai left Denver for the money and allure of a bigger market and now that Denver team he left without building into a contender is poised to be one for many years to come.

People here act like Masai getting an all-star calibre player at 27 is the greatest thing since sliced bread, yet the Nuggets got an MVP calibre player who doesn't choke in the playoffs in the 2nd round. Jamal Murray is the exact type of guard you need in the modern NBA. MPJ has more potential than any player on the Raptors roster.

It's funny how they could lose this incredible executive, but then end up in a better position than the team he currently resides over.

Championships:
Masai 1
Denver 0