Winning 48 games this season and doing well in the playoffs despite being eliminated in the first round, the Toronto Raptors had a successful first season as part of their rebuilding, according to team president Masai Ujiri.
The Queen City basketball team honcho met with reporters Tuesday at the Raptors ’training facility to reflect on the past campaign that has been very positive overall because of the prospects for the future team.
We’ve had a rollercoaster year of ups and downshe taught first. The coaches did a wonderful job. The players are also impressive in perseverance in many difficult times.
” We have made very good progress. We had so much fun. We will continue to grow and improve. We still preach patience and growth here. “
Ujiri praised the overall work done by his team in the 2021-2022 season due to the events that affected it. Many important players were injured. Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby have each missed a lot of games and neither has COVID missed the team.
December and January are hard. We have also been deprived of supporters for a long time. At the very least, we were almost back to normal. It’s a pity we haven’t reached yet [en séries], but I applaud the work done to thrive and develop. We have made progresssaid Ujiri.
At a press conference, the Raptors president mentioned that on several occasions to win occupies a special place in the mind of the organization. The 2021-2022 season is being fought under the sign of growth and development because the team dreams of eventually winning with the core of the players it cultivates.
Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, 28, are definitely leading, but OG Anunoby (24), Gary Tent Jr. (23), Precious Achiuwa (22) and NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes (20), are very young. They have little experience in the NBA, Ujiri recalled.
I know from a fan and media perspective you have to win now, but we’ve been thinking for a long time.he said.
Sometimes, in the beginning, it’s not always as good or as good as we expect. We still have work to do, but I think our team of the future is here. I think we need to have patience and growth. This is the first time that Pascal, Fred and OG are also in charge. They did well.
The Raptors have formed an unconventional team in the NBA this season. Toronto did not bet on a traditional pivot, a player seven feet and more (2.13 m) capable of taking rebounds and protecting the racket from adverse attacks. Instead, he lined up some versatile players 6’7 ”and 6’9” (about 2 m), something he doesn’t rule out that will be repeated next year.
I think we can choose how we play. I don’t believe there is one way that is better than the other. I don’t really buy all the plagiarism that there is in the NBAsaid Ujiri.
If I can find more Precious, Pascal or OG, believe me, we’ll get 15. We’ll take them as long as they come, but that doesn’t mean we won’t go and take a pivot that matches our way of playing . If we can find them, 100%, we will try to get them. There is no discrimination here. We want to protect the basket more.
Players with the ability to shoot and make three-pointers will also be a priority for the Raptors this summer, Ujiri said. In general, his team will try to give more depth while knowingly providing the necessary playing time for young players to thrive.
The core is what it is, he says. We will make small changes here and there.
Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Khem Birch, Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes are under contract for the upcoming season. Dalano Banton, Malachi Flynn and Justin Champagnie as well.
Veterans Chris Boucher and Thaddeus Young are the key players who will be free agents this offseason. Ujiri has not yet hinted whether they will renew or not. However, he praised their respective contributions this year.
The Raptors will now look at the NBA Draft that will take place on June 23. Toronto holds the 33rd overall pick. The free agent market will open on July 1st.
Source: Radio-Canada
