Thursday, August 5, 2021. 2:43 PM
Masai Ujiri has accepted a new contract with the Toronto Raptors.
In addition to the role of president of operations, he will occupy that of vice-president of the team (vice-chairman).
On Thursday afternoon, the club posted a two-and-a-half-minute video on Twitter.
I’ve said it before, and I am saying it again.
We will win in Toronto.
– Masai pic.twitter.com/KJ64UwjZPo
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 5, 2021
Ujiri basically delivers a love letter to Toronto and Raptors fans. It also mentions the team’s goals for success, on and off the pitch.
In the video, Ujiri says, among other things, that he enjoys his position as leader of the organization very much, and that he is here to stay.
“Hallelujah! It’s a big day when Masai Ujiri says he’s staying in Toronto, tweeted Queen City Mayor John Tory.
“Not only was he the great architect of the 2019 Champions, he’s the best man to build the next Raptors Champion Edition. “
The Raptors won the NBA Championship in 2019, following some bold moves in 2018: replacing coach Dwane Casey with Nick Nurse, then securing all-star Kawhi Leonard.
The Raptors reached the playoffs for seven straight years before being sidelined this year.
In connection with the pandemic, they had to play their local matches in Tampa.
On May 19, three days after the end of a season where the club struggled with a 27-45 performance, Ujiri was very emotional on video conference, about praise coming from Nurse, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, among others.
Ujiri then said how much he loves these people and sees them as family.
Nurse’s contract was extended long term in September 2020; the same privilege was granted to dg bobby webster last february.
Assistant General Manager with Toronto in 2008, before becoming CEO of the Nuggets, Ujiri was rehired by the Raptors in May 2013, to lead their basketball operations.
The Raptors’ golden years began in 2013-14, with a breakthrough to the Eastern Finals in 2016. Led by LeBron James, however, the Cavaliers would win the series and take home the NBA championship.
In 2017 and 2018, Toronto was swept away by Cleveland in the second round; as a result of that, the changes helped lead the Raptors to glory in 2019. A journey that Canada has been passionate about, by the way.
Leonard then joined the Clippers. The Raptors, however, sold their skin in the bubble in Orlando dearly, losing in seven games to Boston in the second round.
The 2020-21 season has been difficult, especially following the departure of centers Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. The club has also been hit hard by the absences of Nurse and many key players, in connection with COVID-19.
Ujiri, who grew up in Nigeria, is also recognized for his humanitarian work – one example is the Giants of Africa project, which has been close to his heart since 2003.
