NEW ORLEANS - As All-Star festivities wrap up in New Orleans and the focus immediately shifts to Thursdays NBA trade deadline, Masai Ujiri is prepared for
a busy week of fielding phone calls.
Charlie Blackmon Jersey . “Ill be right here," he said pointing to his cell phone, "waiting and well see what happens."
"I never know what to expect," Ujiri continued, speaking to TSN.ca ahead of
Sundays All-Star game. "Sometimes its quiet until the last minute, sometimes its
busy. As far as our team, I think the team has played well. They have done well
with the platform so [well] keep trying to grow." If the Raptors general manager
is feeling any pressure to make a move ahead of the deadline, hes not showing
it. Ujiri remains patient, committed to sustainable long-term growth and weary
of disrupting the teams newfound chemistry, but he wouldnt rule out pulling the
trigger on the right deal, if its out there. Despite his teams recent success,
the plan hasnt changed and neither has his composure. "I always said since I
came [to Toronto], the players will dictate where we go and the team will
dictate where we go," he stated. "Thats kind of how its been. So theyre growing
and you want it that way." Following a disappointing 6-12 start to the season,
the Raptors have gone 21-12 since trading Rudy Gay to Sacramento on Dec. 9.
Whats stood out to Ujiri, coach Dwane Casey, the players and anyone that has
watched this team over the last two months is their on-court chemistry. Gays
absence has allowed for a more cohesive offence, predicated on ball movement,
which has allowed Kyle Lowry and Torontos young players to flourish. All four
incoming players have contributed and the defence has improved. Still, not even
the Raptors architect could have predicted such a quick turnaround. "We try to
study [but] were not geniuses," Ujiri admitted. "You have to get lucky sometimes
and I think we were lucky. It kind of came together in terms of chemistry." With
30 regular season games to go, the Raptors find themselves at the top of the
Atlantic Division, third in the Eastern Conference. Theyre one game ahead of
fourth-place Chicago and only 3.5 games separate them from Brooklyn, sitting in
the seventh seed. Ujiri wont compromise the organizations future for instant
gratification but he knows where they sit in the East and would consider adding
another impact player as long as it doesnt derail their long-term flexibility.
"I dont want to call out the conference," he said, "I cant do that but its the
measuring stick and I think we have to keep that in mind.” Lowry - a subject of
trade rumours all season, the final year of his contract - has been a big part
of the Raptors success and figures to be just as valuable to a their playoff
cause. The question, as it has been for months is: Will he be around for the
stretch run? “I hate to comment about any player in that way, but I think we are
not good enough so you have to keep it open," he responded. "Thats the honest
answer. These guys have done pretty good. I know weve won a couple of games but
we havent done anything yet." Translation; there are no untradeable players on
the roster, Lowry included. If the right offer comes along Lowry could be moved
but the asking price is significant, as it should be. It should go without
saying, but Ujiri wont be pressured into selling off Lowry or any of his assets
simply to make a mid-season splash. Although previous regimes have fallen into
that trap, the Raptors first-year GM will survey the field and go from there.
His phone is on. His eyes and ears are open.
Carlos Gonzalez Jersey . - Nikita Jevpalovs scored 6:22 into the second overtime as the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada edged
the visiting Rimouski Oceanic 2-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey
League playoff action.
Colorado Rockies Jersey . The R&A announced Monday that golfs oldest championship will return to Royal Portrush in
Northern Ireland for the first time since Max Faulkner won in 1951.The Ottawa
Senators announced that the club and Eric Gryba have agreed to terms on a
two-year contract Thursday. The pact has an average annual value of $1.25
million, with the 26-year-old defenseman receiving $1.2 million for the upcoming
season and $1.3 million in 2015-16. Gryba posted two goals and nine assists with
64 penalty minutes in 57 games for Ottawa last year, his second NHL camppaign.
Jake McGee Jersey. The Boston University product has participated in 90 contests and totaled four goals with 17 points.
Ottawa also agreed to terms with defenseman Michael Sdao on a two-year, two- way
contract and defenseman Chris Wideman was signed to a one-year, two-way pact.
Both players have spent the last two seasons with the Senators AHL affiliate in
Binghamton.
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