Masai Ujiri spoke with assembled media at the BioSteel Centre on Wednesday morning. Raptors Republic was unable to attend, so here are some tweets.
On where the team is at, where expectations are, and where they might go from here:
Masai says 2-10 in East anybody can beat anybody. Even Chicago and Washington, who missed out.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
“Winning takes time … We are still a growing team and not saying that to take off pressure, divert anything … (he says while doing that).”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
“You fail. You stand up. You go back out and fight.” – Masai on the mentality entering this year’s playoffs. pic.twitter.com/bjMweZYdpa
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 13, 2016
Will playoffs play a big part in where Raptors go from here? “Yes and no,” Masai says, reiterates they’re still a growing team
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 13, 2016
Ujiri says Raptors physically and mentally ready for playoffs. Says Lowry is in gym working right now. “Our whole staff is ready this time.”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
A lot of typical team-speak here, but he’s saying the right things, albeit with a bit of expectation management mixed in.
On whether we’ll get another Maple Leaf Square address:
Masai on addressing fans: “It hasn’t worked for two years, so I think I’ll stay way. Fans know how much I love them.”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
Ujiri says he won’t address Jurasic Park this year in the playoffs: “I’m 0-2 so I think I’ll stay away.”
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) April 13, 2016
Damn. No shots at Larry Bird.
On the job Dwane Casey has done:
“We tried to get better and hopefully this year maybe we make another jump and get better.” Says Casey has been “phenomenal .”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
Biggest thing so far: Masai Ujiri says Dwane Casey deserves to be Raptors coach no matter what comes in playoffs. Vote of confidence.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
Masai strongly endorses Casey, says he’s done a “phenomenal job” & future isn’t necessarily tied to playoffs. “He deserves to be our coach”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 13, 2016
Masai Ujiri's vote of confidence in Dwane Casey: "He deserves to be our coach in the future" pic.twitter.com/EFL6lm4aNm
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 13, 2016
I’m inclined to agree, and had Casey fourth on my Coach of the Year ballot.
On criticism that the team is too ISO-heavy:
Masai speaking now: Says team and coaches have done a good job of creating an identity. Some say too much iso, but “this is how we play.”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
Agree here, again. The Raptors aren’t even all that extreme an isolation team, as a lot of their plays have preceding action to set up a one-on-one advantage, and they have two of the best one-on-one driving scorers in the league on their roster.
On any lingering concern about DeMarre Carroll:
Was Masai worried DeMarre would not be back? “Sometimes it takes longer. He’s not 100% but trying to head that way. We’ll see how that goes”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
Carroll’s looked pretty solid in working his way back to form. His return opens up an awful lot of options for the Raptors.
On Norman Powell, Delon Wright, and the D-League:
Says of Powell: Opportunity comes in this league. “We believe in the players we draft.” Says sometimes it’s fit and luck and timing.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
Masai points out: “By the way, Delon hasn’t been bad either and Bebe. And Bruno’s been good in the D-League.” Says happy with young players
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 13, 2016
For an expansion-year franchise, Raptors 905 had a pretty huge impact. And if you think he’s bluffing about Bruno Caboclo, read this breakdown I did on the Brazilian’s sophomore season for Sportsnet.
So, ready for the playoffs, or what?
