Really appreciate the constant coverage you guys provide, please know it doesn't go unnoticed. Much love from Sydney (samson I would demolish you in an arm wrestle)
There will be a major trade this year, guaranteed. We don’t have a PG who penetrates, no true backup PG and we have 7 guys fighting for time on the floor as SF/SG. The other iron in the 🔥 is the 2026 draft being very, very strong. If they don’t make a trade early in the year or at the latest December I’ll be shocked.
This roster is incredibly flawed and its ceiling is very limited. Masai didn't have the patience to rebuild properly and made many many mistakes since winning the chip. My hope is that Bobby recognizes this and dumps salary for picks and sacrifices winning for a couple of more years to rebuild properly.
I will give my thoughts on the Bobby presser. In terms of the media, the questions were much better. It was not Doug Smith asking Masai softball questions. Samson, you ask good carefully thought out questions, and this time you did not have Masai's crew blackballing you. I only wish Bobby would give better more substantive answers, and stay longer. I always saw Bobby as a "right hand man", type of guy. I never saw the I am in charge Alpha type leadership quality in him. The Raptors seemed lost since the championship, and directionless. They went from vision 6'9, to vision 5'10, they would start to rebuild, than trade for a vet. The Raps org just seemed to not be able to take a direction. I was hoping to see Bobby start to define that direction, not continue with the "wait and see" crap the org. has given us since they won the championship. I think Pelley made it clear, especially with the Leafs org. that this management group does not like procrastination. Also during his Raps presser Pelley said we don't need to win now, but be looked at the potential of the roster to be building towards becoming a contender. So clearly they did not agree with the direction of how Masai built this roster. That being said, I don't think Bobby will last long if he continues in the same direction as before. He has had 12 years to observe this team, no more wait and see. A leader defines the direction for the rest in the organization to follow. From this presser, I did not see a leader. I did not see direction. I did not see a vision. It was just more wait and see … A good leader will make things happen. Bobby just seems to be waiting for things to fall in place, or happen naturally. The biggest feedback from Bobby's presser that I heard from fans, and analysts is that he seemed kind of aloof. They felt that did not set a clear direction, and that basically he said nothing of substance. Being aloof is great if you want to be a surfer dude, but not if you want to be a manager, where everyone is looking to you for direction. Where is the vision? As a Habs fan in hockey, I get to see a competent GM in Kent Hughes, constantly wheeling and dealing to balance and improve the team. Look at how quickly Brad Stevens made moves to adjust to J.T.'s injury. I think Raps fans have forgotten what a real GM looks like? We spent many years just watching Masai procrastinate, and mess things up with indecision. It does not take rocket science to figure the Raps out, they have 1 center, and a bunch of shooting guards and forwards. So much redundancy that some decent prospects and role players won't be able to get enough minutes, and when they do it will probably be out of their natural position. Do you think Stevens would just sit on this? Masai did not get fired because of money, if that was the reason they would of kept him for another season as they are paying him anyway. Pelley also made it clear even if he had to be diplomatic, that Masai was fired for his performance. The Raps were looking to hire a replacement, but did not find one, so they reluctantly gave Bobby a chance. Clearly they are not certain about Bobby, and just trying him out because they don't have anyone else. During the hiring process much leaked out about areas where Bobby and Masai were not on the same page. That was no coincidence, it was clear that the org. was looking for a different direction than the Masai direction. For Bobby to get the job, he had to make the argument that he is different than Masai. I think if Bobby does not make quick decisions, and moves to balance this roster, he will be fired after the season. To keep his job Bobby has to be a man of action. If Bobby continues with the wait and see procrastination, next season he will be gone in my opinion.
So I never even listened completely to all this but the truth is iq is the real piece that needs to figure it out. If every other player was their best selves the team would be great. But the key piece is how the pg plays. If they distribute as a trait or a request. If it’s a request this team will be soft if it’s a trait it will be great. Iq has all the pieces of a Derek fisher type pg. which is a champion. But he doesn’t play that way his instincts make Him play like a Lou Williams Jamal Crawford. The problem is neither really won a chip and neither were starters. So the pay check he availability and the natural role of iq don’t match up to a starting pg in my mind. But if he starts he will make sure to make himself look good.
Trading Bruce brown and a pick that was not going to be as good as we act is not a push forward on timeline. It’s a realistic take on what brings winning value around developing players. If anything bi can come back from injuries and score the same. So in the end he is at the least a pro
15 Comments
Really appreciate the constant coverage you guys provide, please know it doesn't go unnoticed. Much love from Sydney (samson I would demolish you in an arm wrestle)
There will be a major trade this year, guaranteed. We don’t have a PG who penetrates, no true backup PG and we have 7 guys fighting for time on the floor as SF/SG. The other iron in the 🔥 is the 2026 draft being very, very strong. If they don’t make a trade early in the year or at the latest December I’ll be shocked.
Great to see that Es is eating healthy.
This roster is incredibly flawed and its ceiling is very limited. Masai didn't have the patience to rebuild properly and made many many mistakes since winning the chip. My hope is that Bobby recognizes this and dumps salary for picks and sacrifices winning for a couple of more years to rebuild properly.
He was noncommittal about everything.
Offensive rebounding isn't a synonym for tagging up.
What's going on with the fruit snacks bit? Either another inside joke that is over my head or paying a mean tweet too much attention.
I will give my thoughts on the Bobby presser. In terms of the media, the questions were much better. It was not Doug Smith asking Masai softball questions. Samson, you ask good carefully thought out questions, and this time you did not have Masai's crew blackballing you. I only wish Bobby would give better more substantive answers, and stay longer.
I always saw Bobby as a "right hand man", type of guy. I never saw the I am in charge Alpha type leadership quality in him. The Raptors seemed lost since the championship, and directionless. They went from vision 6'9, to vision 5'10, they would start to rebuild, than trade for a vet. The Raps org just seemed to not be able to take a direction. I was hoping to see Bobby start to define that direction, not continue with the "wait and see" crap the org. has given us since they won the championship.
I think Pelley made it clear, especially with the Leafs org. that this management group does not like procrastination. Also during his Raps presser Pelley said we don't need to win now, but be looked at the potential of the roster to be building towards becoming a contender. So clearly they did not agree with the direction of how Masai built this roster. That being said, I don't think Bobby will last long if he continues in the same direction as before. He has had 12 years to observe this team, no more wait and see.
A leader defines the direction for the rest in the organization to follow. From this presser, I did not see a leader. I did not see direction. I did not see a vision. It was just more wait and see … A good leader will make things happen. Bobby just seems to be waiting for things to fall in place, or happen naturally.
The biggest feedback from Bobby's presser that I heard from fans, and analysts is that he seemed kind of aloof. They felt that did not set a clear direction, and that basically he said nothing of substance. Being aloof is great if you want to be a surfer dude, but not if you want to be a manager, where everyone is looking to you for direction. Where is the vision?
As a Habs fan in hockey, I get to see a competent GM in Kent Hughes, constantly wheeling and dealing to balance and improve the team. Look at how quickly Brad Stevens made moves to adjust to J.T.'s injury. I think Raps fans have forgotten what a real GM looks like? We spent many years just watching Masai procrastinate, and mess things up with indecision.
It does not take rocket science to figure the Raps out, they have 1 center, and a bunch of shooting guards and forwards. So much redundancy that some decent prospects and role players won't be able to get enough minutes, and when they do it will probably be out of their natural position. Do you think Stevens would just sit on this?
Masai did not get fired because of money, if that was the reason they would of kept him for another season as they are paying him anyway. Pelley also made it clear even if he had to be diplomatic, that Masai was fired for his performance. The Raps were looking to hire a replacement, but did not find one, so they reluctantly gave Bobby a chance. Clearly they are not certain about Bobby, and just trying him out because they don't have anyone else.
During the hiring process much leaked out about areas where Bobby and Masai were not on the same page. That was no coincidence, it was clear that the org. was looking for a different direction than the Masai direction. For Bobby to get the job, he had to make the argument that he is different than Masai. I think if Bobby does not make quick decisions, and moves to balance this roster, he will be fired after the season. To keep his job Bobby has to be a man of action. If Bobby continues with the wait and see procrastination, next season he will be gone in my opinion.
So I never even listened completely to all this but the truth is iq is the real piece that needs to figure it out. If every other player was their best selves the team would be great. But the key piece is how the pg plays. If they distribute as a trait or a request. If it’s a request this team will be soft if it’s a trait it will be great. Iq has all the pieces of a Derek fisher type pg. which is a champion. But he doesn’t play that way his instincts make
Him play like a Lou Williams Jamal Crawford. The problem is neither really won a chip and neither were starters. So the pay check he availability and the natural role of iq don’t match up to a starting pg in my mind. But if he starts he will make sure to make himself look good.
Trading Bruce brown and a pick that was not going to be as good as we act is not a push forward on timeline. It’s a realistic take on what brings winning value around developing players. If anything bi can come back from injuries and score the same. So in the end he is at the least a pro
Serge is working with chomche
Es for Pres
Great coverage!! One question for Es, where is that framed poster (reverse dunk) from? Looks awesome
Who the hell is hating on Es? This guy is top tier, one of the best guys in the space.
Isn't serge working / coaching Chomche right now ?