National Basketball Association

Masai Ujiri's juggling act: Win now & in future

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Raptors have enjoyed regular-season success for 3 years straight. How long can that run of fine play continue?

The Toronto Raptors have set themselves a high bar to leap over as an organization. Team President Masai Ujiri wants to develop a juggernaut which never has a bad season.

While a goal like that seems unattainable, there already is an NBA team which has been maintaining it for two decades. The worst regular season the San Antonio Spurs have suffered since 1997-98 was 2009-10, in which they went 50-32. In that span, they have enjoyed 60 or more wins in five seasons, and a like number of championships.

What is the most striking thing about San Antonio? Continuity. Their General Manager, R.C. Buford, has held his position since 2002. Prior to that, he was team President for 5 years. The coach is Gregg Popovich, who needs no introduction.

Apr 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) passes the ball around San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at the AT&T Center. The Spurs defeat the Raptors 102-95. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Once the Spurs have a player they like, he doesn’t go anywhere else. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili – none has worn any other sweater in his career. Kawhi Leonard is the next link in that chain, I suspect.

Here’s another factor in San Antonio’s favour: internationalization. Duncan is from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Parker a Frenchman, and Ginobili is a proud Argentinian. This organization will go around the globe to find players who fit their system.

The Raptors under Masai Ujiri have become a stable organization. Yours Truly remembers the early days of ownership disputes and petulant behaviour from those in high office, like Isiah Thomas. Whatever we may think of MLSE’s treatment of customers [cash cows to be milked, says I], there’s no arguing with their whole-hearted, open-walleted support for the Raptors.

Masai’s tenure was recently extended by MLSE, so he and his key advisors are in place for the foreseeable future. That’s a big checkmark beside “Continuity”.

Dwane Casey isn’t going anywhere either. He’s now the Raptors’ winningest coach in both the regular season (210) and playoffs (13), and has a new 3-year deal in the books. He’s been the coach since 2011-12. During that same period, the Sacramento Kings have had six head men, none of whom has posted a positive W-L record.

Internationalization is baked into the Raptors’ DNA. We’re the only non-U.S.-based franchise since the demise of the Vancouver Grizzlies. The President hails from Nigeria, and we’ve had African players and Europeans (#bringbackJoseCalderon), in addition to the usual welter of Canadians and Americans. Who can forget Menkge Bateer out of China, perhaps the worst player ever to don a Raptors uni? And we welcome the NBA’s first-ever Austrian, Jakob Poeltl.

The Raptors have a tough act to follow. The Spurs are the most successful team in major North American sports in this century. But the blueprint is there.

There’s more to this story…something about the draft, and not trading tomorrow’s wins for today’s. We’ll save those topics for next time.

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