Masai Year End Presser @ 10am

[Marty_Budda]

Finally got around to watching the presser. What an incredible man Masai is. If it wasn't evident before, this man bleeds for our team. How can anyone dislike him or overtly question his decision making? I don't want to see any slander of him or any Pooh Pooh-ing * wink wink* of this man ever again. We must protect him and keep him at all costs.

For the record, I thought he got emotional because of what was said about him as opposed to him leaving. It sounds to me like he has unfinished business here and he wants to bring more championships to Toronto. However, it does sound like he has legitimate gripes with ownership. If you're MLSE, you have to do what he says because the way he talks up the Raptors, you'd assume if he was given what he wants that he'll be able to just build the team to a status that'll ultimately make more money for MLSE.

The same way we talk about a statue of Kyle outside ACC, we need to start talking about a Builder's category for jersey retirement/statue for Masai outside the Arena. This man is a treasure. Can't say enough good things about him!

Personal Attack and Baiting.

Didn't realize naming another poster is a personal attack lmao. This board nowadays I swear. Some of yall wont quit until you rid RGM of anyone who you don't agree with lol

Can't even make a joke without someone's panties getting in a twist

You seriously got a warning for that?! Wtf

[anotherhomer]

Full Summary:

Still evaluating on the blackberry passport

'Stand Pat' - Blue Jay - Pat Gillick
'Evaluating my evaluation' - Raptors - Ujiri

See the similarities?
Hope Bobby Webster is up for it

[WaltFrazier]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

[WaltFrazier]

What is MLSE doing that is so unworkable thats had to change? What are they **** up now? I thought MU had that all fixed himself, but why are you not listening to your leader? And our media... nothing about this ever, crickets. So useless.

Exactly, he got the OVO facility, the ASG, the money is there if needed. What more does he want?

As an aside, was that ASG actually a plus for Toronto in the eyes of players? Or did the terrible cold end up being a net negative for the Raps?

[Dennis 37]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

Sounds like he wants ownership to stand up for the team. Such as teams with far worse records should not be playing on Christmas day, year in and year out.

[WaltFrazier]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

Sounds like he wants ownership to stand up for the team. Such as teams with far worse records should not be playing on Christmas day, year in and year out.

Oh maybe. But just MLSE speaking up more won't overcome the American marketing bias. I don't think we can win that.

Unless Masai is looking for an excuse to bolt.

[rocky_da_best]

Finally got around to watching the presser. What an incredible man Masai is. If it wasn't evident before, this man bleeds for our team. How can anyone dislike him or overtly question his decision making? I don't want to see any slander of him or any Pooh Pooh-ing * wink wink* of this man ever again. We must protect him and keep him at all costs.

For the record, I thought he got emotional because of what was said about him as opposed to him leaving. It sounds to me like he has unfinished business here and he wants to bring more championships to Toronto. However, it does sound like he has legitimate gripes with ownership. If you're MLSE, you have to do what he says because the way he talks up the Raptors, you'd assume if he was given what he wants that he'll be able to just build the team to a status that'll ultimately make more money for MLSE.

The same way we talk about a statue of Kyle outside ACC, we need to start talking about a Builder's category for jersey retirement/statue for Masai outside the Arena. This man is a treasure. Can't say enough good things about him!

Personal Attack and Baiting.

Didn't realize naming another poster is a personal attack lmao. This board nowadays I swear. Some of yall wont quit until you rid RGM of anyone who you don't agree with lol

Can't even make a joke without someone's panties getting in a twist

You seriously got a warning for that?! Wtf

Yep. Best part is 7Footer doubling down and saying I'm not following forum rules by attacking that poster lol. Howard Mass is great but he made a mistake making a known tWo diehard forum mod. Guess him defending his buddies should be expected.

Really approaching some 1984 level **** here with what can and can't be said.

[NotMyKawhi]

well, if MU doesn't sign we know who to point the finger at

[Johnny Bball]

What is MLSE doing that is so unworkable thats had to change? What are they **** up now? I thought MU had that all fixed himself, but why are you not listening to your leader? And our media... nothing about this ever, crickets. So useless.

Exactly, he got the OVO facility, the ASG, the money is there if needed. What more does he want?

As an aside, was that ASG actually a plus for Toronto in the eyes of players? Or did the terrible cold end up being a net negative for the Raps?

What?

[Darkseid]

The Raptors should offer more help on Masai's quest for an African league.

Would be hype if / when there is one.

[rocky_da_best]

The Raptors should offer more help on Masai's quest for an African league.

Would be hype if / when there is one.

There's literally one currently being played lol called BAL. J. Cole is playing for the Rwanda Patriots

[Raptaz]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

Sounds like he wants ownership to stand up for the team. Such as teams with far worse records should not be playing on Christmas day, year in and year out.

Sounds like he wants support vs the NHL Canadian teams, more airtime as well seems like he wants more eyes on the rap and grow the game bigger than hockey in canada .

Curious to see his vison unfold do not mess it up MLSE .

I know yall Got people reading this, can't lose Tim lieweke and masai

[PT416]

What an amazing interview man. All I know is this - if Masai leaves, it's going to be for a cause that makes the world a better place and is much bigger than basketball, and we will just have to embrace that because there's so much more to life and this world than watching the Raptors.

[Steelo Green]

Masai values his image highly. His 40 minute interview is no indication one way or the other. He’s political and knew he had to give a detailed discussion.

He sounded personally like he is setting up a departure with ambiguous things he wants MLSE to do.

People are funny - they want it both ways. They think we were easily a top 4 team without Tampa, injuries and COVID, and now Masai says play in would have been a waste of time and he’s a genius.

He knows this core is mediocre, a sentiment reiterated by the minority all season.

[ratul]

Masai values his image highly. His 40 minute interview is no indication one way or the other. He’s political and knew he had to give a detailed discussion.

He sounded personally like he is setting up a departure with ambiguous things he wants MLSE to do.

People are funny - they want it both ways. They think we were easily a top 4 team without Tampa, injuries and COVID, and now Masai says play in would have been a waste of time and he’s a genius.

He knows this core is mediocre, a sentiment reiterated by the minority all season.

This

[Skeezo]

He knows this core is mediocre, a sentiment reiterated by the minority all season.

To me this was made clear in the interview yesterday and he took responsibility for it which I do applaud. Yes, Masai spoke about the difficulty of evaluating how good of a team they were last year because of TB relocation, COVID, etc, but he didn't mince words that the team was flawed and was NOT a contender.

• He admitted he thought the Raptors could play smaller, as they finished out in the bubble, but recognized immediately by the 2-8 start that the "misfit" signings weren't going to cut it.

• He discussed having to move toward the future (getting younger/playing younger)... Those aren't things you do when you are either trying or thinking you can contend

• Masai's "Play-In For What" line will live in infamy for all those who claimed some members weren't REAL fans because they wanted to pivot toward the future rather than pretend to compete with a squad of mediocrity.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Masai values his image highly. His 40 minute interview is no indication one way or the other. He’s political and knew he had to give a detailed discussion.

He sounded personally like he is setting up a departure with ambiguous things he wants MLSE to do.

People are funny - they want it both ways. They think we were easily a top 4 team without Tampa, injuries and COVID, and now Masai says play in would have been a waste of time and he’s a genius.

He knows this core is mediocre, a sentiment reiterated by the minority all season.

This

Masai must be one of the funny ones, because during this 40 minute interview he said they were 4th until covid hit, and then they went on a big slide where they lost to teams he was convinced they were better than and that was the season. I didn't hear him say anything about a mediocre core, though.

Seems like a case of selective hearing or a comprehension issue.

[planetmars]

Masai was ambiguous through out the entire presser, like he always is. He made a couple of things clear.. one of which is he wants another championship, but it doesn't mean he thinks the core is crap.. he just won't push hard for a measly play-in game. The other thing he said is he wants to challenge MLSE to help grow the Raptors so they become a worldwide ticket. I mean he is interviewing for the President role, not a GM. He wants the Raptors to be BIG, and he wants help to make that happen. This should be what MLSE wants, but it might require some changes in how games are broadcast, or how much attention are put on them from the local media. Or how much influence they can have on US broadcasters, etc.

But everything else was wishy washy. Like his contract, or the Lowry situation, or what he's going to do in the draft. I mean he mentioned both the BPA and a guy that fits in the same sentence! He's a tough man to read. But that's what he has to do. Pigeonholing himself in any direction, some of which he has no control over, is the last thing he'd want to do.

[Courtside]

If I'm Masai, i'm asking MLSE for new commentators and broadcasters calling/analyzing the game. Enough with the old white men calling and talking about the game of basketball.

I also want an increased budget to hire more women/POC in the organization. Would love to see women on the raptors coaching staff.

Finally, I want an equal share of marketing money/exposure as the Maple Leafs.

Def need to get rid of devlin and these clowns who broadcast raps games...clean house finally, please!!

You’re in the minority. Most people don’t have a problem with Matt and Jack.

I'd like a clean slate with the announcers too. Not because they're white, but they've become increasingly annoying and don't have the kind of gravitas to be lifetime guys. During normal seasons they are a mixed bag, but these last two seasons have exposed them badly. New crew please, and if that opens the door to women or POC that is fine - at that point it's an open slate and the selections should be based on merit and good fit.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I hear Steven Brunt ask Sherm Hamilton today, what more things can Masai ask MLSE to provide? I think they've done as much as possible, given we are in Canada. And stuff like different broadcasters (as much as I hate Leo), more presence in Africa, stuff like that is fluff. We need to know what basketball things are we going to do.

The question is backwards, it needs to be, Masai, what do you plan to do to win again. You're the basketball guy, not MLSE.

It was just a political way for Masai to set the table. If he re-signs, then ownership is committed and everyone looks good! If he bolts, then fans can turn on ownership and Masai scoots away unscrutinized. The rumours are that he's "95% coming back," so the demands are probably not that unreasonable. If it's money, he just waits until the Clippers are bounced.

There were a few basketball fans/writers that tried to go into the nuts and bolts of what the team needs, but Masai rarely gives straight answers and always jumps on the sword with vagaries. Your question should have been asked, and it could have been two-pronged: what does ownership need to do and what can you do better to achieve this goal? Instead we get "what does it mean to you to have Lowry say nice things about you?" "Why did you sign Yuta right away?" "What are you going to say about Tampa?" "Are you going to play in Toronto next year?" Masai delivered his first failure of his career, they suspended and fined their star player on two separate occasions, they tanked, they didn't trade Lowry and then didn't play him, the coach was calling out the roster construction early, there was a locker room snitch to Shams... There was a lot of stuff that could have been covered.