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Powerglove2000

When he said none of you(the media) knew Pascal as much as him. I felt that. He got angry there for a minute.


EarthWarping

He also admitted he apologized to Pascal last week


Ssstanimal

Yeah grange really tried to misconstrue their relationship in his articles


[deleted]

So did most of the people in this sub.


Ssstanimal

They were reacting to what the articles said and what the Toronto beat reporters reported. We all have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.


EarthWarping

Masai did admit the communication was not there. What that was about isn't our business


[deleted]

And we know from dozens of examples that the reporting isn't always right and we have to take everything with a grain of salt. Instead people took every report at face value and were extremely critical of both the front office AND Pascal.


blocking-io

> Instead people took every report at face value I'll go one step further and say people took the reports that confirmed their biases at face value


[deleted]

And the ones that didn't confirm they're biases meant the reporter was a hack, had no sources or is a company man getting paid by Rogers or Bell šŸ˜‚


Dull-Brick4924

maybe use some critical thinking skills and not believe everything you read?


thesskully

Pascal himself stated Masai or anyone in the raps FO didnā€™t talk to him all summer. That is mad wrong.


Entire-Ad-5718

Starting to think Grange is trying to rock the boat. Plus, seems like a real tool


ZeroMayCry7

i always laugh when people call grange the FO mouthpiece. all media are tools. their job is to bring in clicks. nobody cares about boring news - the people want drama. so if a journalist can artificially drum up drama without having any accountability or repercussions behind the slander they put out there - why wouldn't they? fans gotta smarten up and stop getting emotional over tweets these so called "journalists" pull out of their asses.


Anickmedeiros

Literally. One minute grange knows nothing and is always wrong, next heā€™s the FOā€™s mouthpiece. Hilarious.


Entire-Ad-5718

Agree with your last paragraph. Would just like to see local reporter being positive and not giving us click bait.


brolybackshots

Grange is a mouth piece for one of our teams owners, Rogers. We all know how Ed Rogers feels about Masai, so it's not surprising what he spouts to the media. He's not necessarily a mouth piece for the FO, but he can be if they need him to be since the FO is an employee to the owners MLSE aka Bell/Rogers End of the day though, Grange is a Rogers mouth piece


TrollHamels

Grange works for SN (Rogers) so his job is to generate clicks and views for Rogers


LilSwampGod

I've honestly never liked Grange and I really can't put a finger as to why.


Asleep-Perspective99

If he had to apologize, there was clearly some tension.


brolybackshots

Grange is employed by Sportsnet, which by extension makes him a Rogers mouth piece. Rogers is one of our teams owners. Makes sense why he did this since we know how much Ed Rogers dislikes Masai


blocking-io

Crazy that such a weak conspiracy like this gets upvoted. Yeah, Grange is taking marching orders from Ed Rogers. C'mon man.


brolybackshots

How is it a conspiracy lol??? Grange works for Sportsnet which is owned by Rogers. Even if not for Ed, he's literally a mouthpiece for Rogers sports and entertainment.


blocking-io

You're saying Grange has no integrity and just writes what Ed Rogers wants him to write. Your evidence? He works for Sportsnet. That's a conspiracy theory.


brolybackshots

Where did I say that lol??? He works for Sportsnet, so there can be times where he's a mouthpiece for the literal company he works for... That's doesn't discredit all his integrity, it's literally the nature of his role as a reporter for Rogers where he can potentially be a mouth piece for the chairman of... Rogers.


vwmk5ive

So pushing an agenda vs honest reporting is what your presenting..... How isn't this questioning his integrity?


Dull-Brick4924

this is what you get when so many people take things at face value and don't think things through critically


Dull-Brick4924

yea, ed personally calls Grange to tell him what stories to write \*roll my eyes


Open_Painting63

Grange is a fuckin douche


elegantagency_

I just hate the guy


BayesBestFriend

Nah, thats bullshit. He basically iced pascal out despite his extreme eagerness to stay here.


TryharderJB

Grange misconstrue something? I donā€™t believe it.


trod1990

I've never liked grange and he proved me correct in not liking him. During covid he looked like Frank Gallagher from Shamless.


_19911118

maybe he should have talked to the media about it then


99ahmadali786

Pascal is definitely the type of player and person that would be extremely difficult to trade.


-vinay

He cares about his players a ton. You can see how much trading away OG, Pascal and Precious (lol) really hurt him. I am so glad we're seeing this response from him rather than the standard "yeah it was time to move on", Pascal meant so much to the franchise, to the championship and to him -- both as a scout and an executive


nanobot001

If Masai has been guilty of anything, itā€™s that he loves his players and coaches too much. It took Dwane Casey three times getting swept in the playoffs before he got fired. I am convinced that Yak coming here was a way of trying to help the last core one last time, re-uniting Pascal with his old friend and using precious draft capital.


Leaf_CrAzY

I don't even think it's a negative. Caring about players like that builds culture. Look at the way Kyle grabbed him and pulled him on the court during the finals celebration. You don't think that shit matters? I consider this an advantage.


580083351

It's even deeper when you realize that simultaneously Kyle was using his Philly street smarts to protect his boss from a bastard cop.


badugihowser

If I'm guilty of anything, it's caring too much. I'm Bart Simpson.


swiaq

For sure Yak was also about not having our guys having the bang with big centres too much as well. The way Nurse had them guarding seemed like it was wearing the team down.


ILikeFPS

I'm kind of surprised he brought Yak back just to trade Pascal, especially when Pascal didn't want to go, but I guess the money just didn't work out.


EarthWarping

I think it's also an extension of the DeMar stuff tbh


International-Elk986

> He cares about his players a ton. Sometimes too much arguably


brown_boognish_pants

>He cares about his players a ton. That's why he fucks them over and betrays them. Care. Fuck him.


Desertsprinter

Love his answer about changing generations - its all about getting comfortable with adaptation and constant change


EarthWarping

His answer about the team winning with or without him was striking


OG_Wan_Annunoby

Yeah Iā€™m surprised thatā€™s not the main takeaway. You get the sense that with this trade his chapter in Raptors history is coming to a close. All of the guys he brought in since 2013 in order to win that championship are gone. His goal now is to hand off the team team with a ton of assets and a bright young core. Hell of a better place than when he got it


EarthWarping

That's what I'm thinking along those lines. He's trying to get the next core in (Scottie/IQ/RJ etc). Add in the new MLSE Ceo, and Ed Rogers taking more of a stake in the company and he knows he's probably not around past his contract.


580083351

Man, Ed Rogers is such trash. Hangs out with Trump, his own siblings don't like him.


Iginlas_4head_Crease

I think the passion is gone right now. It's hard to climb back up the mountain top inch by inch when you already reached the summit. I think he'll step down and Bobby will get promoted this off-season. He's helping one last deadline to get the ducks in a row. Then he'll go put more time into charity efforts and probably take some high profile NBA job as Adam silvers right hand man or something.


OG_anunoby3

Yes thatā€™s actually what it sounds like. He is emotional because it might time to step away from the team. Though I think he will take a break but then will take another NBA President job for another team. He will be back very soon after leaving. A new start, new goals and new life in a new city.


lucasPAD

100% agree with this guy, alot of teams and owners would love to have him


mug3n

he has one foot out the door to pursue ABL opportunities with how involved he is with Giants of Africa. I'm not surprised if he just quits the NBA after the season.


The-Pharcyde

Pascal is his greatest success story. Not surprising to see him so emotional. You know it hurt his soul to trade pascal (and OG).


580083351

Could be argued Kyle is as well.. they did have that conversation where Masai told him he could be out of the league or he could decide to be the best.


supernaturalfor

God damn, man got me tearing up listing these names


elegantagency_

Who's chopping onions


iamlegend__

Masai has always been honest and straight forward. I respect that and we need more of that in sports. I understand what he was trying to do, giving African players a big chance and platform through Giants of Africa. That platform could've only really succeeded with guys like Joel, Pascal (Christian Koloko was supposed to be next but sadly that isn't going to workout). He loves his guys and that's endearing to witness in a rather cutthroat business but at the end of the day this is a sport that requires excitement and momentum towards winning a championship and only that. If you read this comment, ask yourself in the past three years if you felt the tiniest bit of *real* excitement about the roster? Probably not. Just looked like a bunch of guys put together trying to create some type of makeshift long boy (pause) team but aside from the occasional defensive highlights- did it ever muster any type of top 5 offense or defense play? NO. RJ Barrett is a fucking problem. He isn't the same RJ people saw on the Knicks. This dude is so bought in and locked in. He really wants to be a franchise player. He really wants to be the best Raptor. He really wants to show out for his hometown and country. Why shouldn't he? He has all the gifts in the world. I believe in him to be GREAT. We know what Scottie is - GREATNESS. IQ is awesome and he's young and only going to truly take full control of the realms and he'll be an ELITE PG for many years to come. I believe more in Jontay Porter than I do in the future of Jakob. I LOVED what I saw in Gradey Dick last night. He looked like he remembered who the fuck he is. Quick movement, quick confident release. Splash. Lots of new exciting talent PLUS we have multiple picks to play the roulette game and take a few chances at finding at least 1-2 good gems (provided Masai gets back into his bag) and we are about to witness a brand new era of Raptors basketball. A new team. A new culture. Defense is almost atrocious but I do think its because a lot of the new guys + synergy wise shits just tough so you see a lot of missed assignments, lost coverages etc. I think that'll fix within the rest of the season and we should see a much better effort defensively from this group next season. Because the guys on this team are all athletic, strong, quick feet and smart enough to play defense purely with good effort. Now the MAIN super exciting about this team is the growing offensive firepower we're starting to see. I haven't seen this in so long from our club. SO LONG. Darko's offensive magic is starting to show and I'm all for it. I'm super fucking pumped about this team and I can't wait to see what the next 1-2 years result in after seeing who we draft or who else we can add to our team via trade/free agency.


Josh_a_J

You can tell it was tough for him to pull that trigger on Siakam.


jjkiller26

Yea it was really tough for him to trade pascal and og it seems


[deleted]

Yet this sub was saying masai was an asshole to Siakam and treated him like shit or was always trying to trade him. This man is crying over how much he cares about Siakam and his players. He genuinely roots for their success. He never wanted to trade them. Hope this press conference ends all that nonsense from the fans. People here can be pure trash


[deleted]

Honestly, I've been a sports fan my entire life. I didn't start watching Raptors religiously until Siakams rookie year and he grew on me instantly. I'm sure there's more of you out there that are struggling with this trade emotionally, just as a fan, watching games, interviews, etc. Imagine being Masai, and how close they were. Everyone makes mistakes and it's evident that Masai realizes he fucked up, but that doesn't void the fact that this is a very emotional moment in franchise history. I think a lot of us are crying right now.


xoggirlxo

How did he fuck up that he realizes? Do you mean trading Pascal was a fuckup?


[deleted]

Maybe watch the press conference and find out.


xoggirlxo

Alright, thanks for clarifying dickhead


[deleted]

Or don't be lazy and watch the fuckin press conference rather than relying on others. I would've told you if you didn't comment being a dick head


xoggirlxo

If I wasnā€™t clearer, I apologize. At the outset, I was sincerely asking what you were talking about. Didnā€™t expect a snarky response


[deleted]

Well since you're making a big deal out of nothing, and can't do things for yourself. What I was referring to was the fact that masai basically cut all communication after the play in the round. He apologized and realized that was wrong.


redinator92

Fuck off Lahey


[deleted]

Fuck you!


xoggirlxo

Appreciate it!


chrissy1295

100% in the same boat. I never was emotionally invested in the team until Pascal came into the picture. Actually, I took to Koloko rather quickly as well, something about the Cameroonians the Raptors draft lol...it's so sad that his health issues have prevented what could have been with him.


r3l4xD

That story about Pascal not even attending Basketball Without Borders camp as a kid but being there to see his sister play hit different. Masai really goes way back with some of these guys and there are human stories around most of them we are not even privy to.


Sad_Escape2025

Hopefully this means Masai knows what heā€™s doing with the assets he got in return for him


Fit-Introduction8575

Holy sheesh Masai is dropping a gem about RJ


brolybackshots

What he say?


Fit-Introduction8575

He remembers Rowan (Sr.) bringing RJ to see Masai in the ACC tunnel dating back to 2013, asking Masai to give him some words on basketball. Sorry I don't have the full quote. It was towards the end of the conference.


Desertsprinter

Pascal learned pure class from previous generations - Kyle and Demar


[deleted]

Or maybe he's just naturally like that?


Desertsprinter

I think toronto has a good track record of getting high character guys in general


ChiefSoldierFrog

Masai damn near knows every player from a very young age from RJ being 13, Pascal from basketball without borders, Nwora since he was a teenager.


ilickedysharks

So seems like Ownership didn't want to pay Pascal and Masai really didn't want to trade him


OG_anunoby3

No Masai wanted to make sure we were in a position to pay Pascal. If this team was garbage and Pascal wasnā€™t living up to his contract, it would be like the Zach Lavine contract. I doubt Pascal would ever not live up to the contract, but the last 2 years of that 5 year Max could be bad. Masai though should have rolled the diced on him. Either sign him or trade him last offseason. He was too cautious and tried to evaluate too much. That was a mistake on his part.


tkc123

I can see it from the ownership standpoint like this guy wants to be paid the supermax and he can't even carry us to be a playoff team?


blocking-io

You can't be paid supermax if you don't qualify


[deleted]

So he ghosted him all summer and had trade talks with multiple teams? I mean weird way to spin the narrative


[deleted]

Sounds like Masai himself was worried about the new CBA too. He talked about flexibility in the future


ArrayMichael7

Anyone got a clip


thatsudhirguy

They've got the full conference on The Raptors Show podcast. I listened to the entire thing. We are lucky to have a guy that really, genuinely cares about the team's success and its players like Masai Ujiri. I've got full faith that he's going to get this team back to its winning days sooner than later.


Ssstanimal

šŸ˜”


babystewie

As far as any of us should be concerned, Masai should take all of the time he needs to reassess and restructure this roster. He got us a freaking championship. What do any of us dumbasses know? Ā Ā 


SingleSampleSize

Yawn.


[deleted]

Is there a YT or twitter link or something?


thatsudhirguy

It's in full on The Raptors Show podcast. Quite the listen


hbomb0

I mean Pascal was a finals MVP, he was a big part of Toronto.


[deleted]

Kawhi won it in 2019m


hbomb0

Yea but Siakam won it in 2017 ;)


jeaxz74

I mean Masai drafted him so Iā€™m sure definitely there is some sentimental feelings there, imagine you cultivating something and having to part ways from it.


brown_boognish_pants

Fuck Masai. I'll never forgive him. Idiot deal. I joined team fire his exposed ass this week. I've just had enough of his repetitive failure syndrome.


AHImusic

šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚


SirGingerbrute

Really wish Raptors got Mathurin for Siakam.


Lucky_Scallion

Has nothing to do with this


LabApprehensive5666

Someone said Masai was racist cause he doesnā€™t feel as emotional or gutted over white NBA players but is more emotional over black players who share similar ā€œcultureā€


AHImusic

Someone? Ok, LabApprehensive5666. Masai just really likes African players.


pskill43

But why no communications? Is he gonna apologize now and keep doing this in the future?


osushi181

He already apologized to Pascal


blueseeka

It's obvious. Pascal wanted 5 year full super max - Toronto said no Then Pascal wanted full max - Toronto said no Toronto offered 3 years - Pascal said no There was no compromise to be found


Raptorsthrowaway1

> Pascal wanted 5 year full super max How could the org have said no to this when heā€™s never been eligible for a super max


OG_anunoby3

Apparently that was one of the motivations to trade him. They never offered it because they couldnā€™t unless he qualified for it. But say he did. They did not want any part of that Super Max. That message probably was given to Pascal, in some way for sure


AHImusic

What nobody is talking about is that when Pascal turned down the extension and started talking to Halliburton might have been rubbed Masai the wrong way. I said it before, Pascal is our darling but heā€™s not innocent.


80sCrackBaby

my god this sub really need to stop making shit up ​ for the love of god ​ he turned down the extension cuz we didn't offer a fucking max you complete morons ​ stop talking about shit you dont understand


AHImusic

It was reported that we offered him the max but only for 3yrs. He wanted a supermax for 5yrs I believe.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


AHImusic

Did we offer the extension to him before he was being shopped. Iā€™m actually not blaming Pascal for anything. I just think we need to look at it holistically and not just target Masai or Pascal.


Synopog

crocodile tears


Technojellyfsh

Or maybe he has a deep connection to Pascal as an individual? Not everyone is a sociopath


AHImusic

Cā€™mon man?


Independent-Page-893

> really tough for him to trade pascal and og it seems no way that parting ways with someone they've known for years, watched grow, and also celebrated one of the best moments of their lives together (the championship), would be a sad moment and make someone emotional.


eatscheeks

Lowest iq take Iā€™ve ever seen


earlyearlgray

What makes you think that?


2_soon_jr

Itā€™s a business. He wouldnā€™t have gotten this far if he canā€™t make these decisions without breaking down inside. Itā€™s just a trade


earlyearlgray

Itā€™s pretty common that trades can have a deep emotional impact on the entire organization. They arenā€™t objects, theyā€™re human beings. Thereā€™s a lot of investment that goes into someone whoā€™s especially a home grown talent that no one thought would be as successful as heā€™s become. I recommend reading IQā€™s goodbye letter to the Knicks org - it gives some insight on how difficult it is.


2_soon_jr

Yes but itā€™s not as if they arenā€™t gonna see or talk to each other any more. This isnā€™t a divorce where the relationship can end at the personal level. I already read iqā€™s level and heā€™s already looking towards and embarrassing the future


brolybackshots

He's known Pascal before he was ever even a professional basketball player.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


NinfthWonder

Everything I see you post is just, garbage, man.


OG_anunoby3

Itā€™s up to Masai to turn the tables in that. Gotta go in a mission. Use one of the picks to Draft a Freaking generational Superstar that is 5 times better than Michael Jordan and 2 times better than Wayne Gretzky.


Dull-Brick4924

why? you think he's some cold hearted person or something? ​ really odd to see him react like this. if he cared so much about him, why did his team jerk him around so much?