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Ujiri to the Knicks? – Raptors have an advantage

By Brian Boake

May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of t-Shirts draped over the seats at the Air Canada Centre prior to game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of t-Shirts draped over the seats at the Air Canada Centre prior to game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA is a-Twitter with the alleged desire of Knicks owner James Dolan to bring Raptors President Masai Ujiri to New York. What should our man do?

“a little learning is a dangerous thing” – Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, 1709 (James Dolan, are you listening? Probably not)

The NBA press, always looking for some new topic to chatter about in the off-season, has lit upon the latest example of chaos in New York. Phil Jackson was bought off and turfed out of his job as the Knicks’ top executive, meaning owner James Dolan once again needs to find a savior for one of the most dysfunctional organizations in professional sports.

As you know by now, the apple of Dolan’s eye is Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri. Fickle Toronto-lover Tim Leiweke has been retained by Dolan as a consultant to the team, which probably means he’s whispered “Hire Masai” in Dolan’s ear, then billed him $100K for the sage advice.

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 08: Masai Ujiri, General Manager of the Toronto Raptors attends ‘The Wedding Party’ premiere during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 8, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 08: Masai Ujiri, General Manager of the Toronto Raptors attends ‘The Wedding Party’ premiere during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 8, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

I was taken in by Leiweke during his short-lived stay in Toronto. I spoke to the man, and believed his love for the city was sincere. Now I worry that he’s little more than a carpetbagger, but one who still has Masai’s cell number. After all, Leiweke was the man who, as head of MLSE, made Bryan Colangelo’s position as Raptors President untenable, then hounded Masai until he agreed to leave Denver to return to our team.

In short, Leiweke is a potentially influential intermediary between Dolan and Ujiri.

Knicks not a happy story

Hopefully Masai, a careful man who craves input from others, will pay attention to the giant red flags flapping over the Knicks. Presumably now that Jackson is gone, the triangle offense is out the door as well, but what do they have to replace it?  Never mind the offensive philosophy – their roster is a mess. They are saddled with injury-prone Joakim Noah’s monster contract, young gun Kristaps Porzingis isn’t hiding his dismay with the organization, Ron Baker (come on!) is the starting point guard (unless they hand the job to Frank Nkitilina, who’s 18 years old). Carmelo Anthony is on the downside of his career, and has personal issues distracting him. The Knicks won’t be relevant for years.

James Dolan can throw dollars at Masai, but so can his current employer. And there’s a world of difference between the dilettantish Dolan and MLSE’s anonymous suits. They are smart enough to stay out of the way when someone is making money for them.

I don’t question the difficulty of Masai’s decision about his future. Perhaps the Knicks job will be the pinnacle of professional achievement for a man who’s worked his way up from (almost) sweeping the floors. Alternatively his reputation could be shattered on the rocks of Dolan’s ego and meddling.

Bet on the latter, Masai. You’re the unquestioned boss of a winning franchise. Let someone else have his trades vetoed by an arbitrary owner. Stay with us in Toronto, and be the builder of a championship team.

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