[kerrstParticipant]

 Is he the new Messiah for Canadian Basketball??

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/kelly-the-raptors-andrew-wiggins-and-the-long-term-plan/article22438429/

A great article that outlines Masai Ujiri’s plan for the future of the Raptors and Canadian basketball talent.  While the chances of Marc Gasol and Kevin Durant (despite what Drake and Grevias Vazquez think) coming to Toronto are slim to none.  Masai has been plotting and strategizing about how to build a winning legacy in Toronto while selling the city as a premier destination for big name free agents.  If this will ever happen remains to be seen as Canada is still considered a less than desired destination due to taxes, cultral differences and weather.  While the tax argument is a legitimate factor, the weather argument makes no sense as at least 1/3 of American NBA cities have similar or colder weather than Toronto.  I also challenge anyone to visit Toronto and convince me that living in Toronto is a cultural or entertainment drawback in comparison to Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit etc..  But I digress as this is not about the city but more about getting Toronto onto an even keel with American cities as a free agent destination. Historically the Raptors have yet to entice a premier free agent to sign on the dotted line, Masai is doing the right thing by locking up our own all-star free agents to build a winning tradition to attract and keep NBA talent.  Once a winning culture is established the next step is to steal away a few second tier NBA players and that it seems will be accomplished by pillaging away Canadian talent from other teams (yes, I am looking at you Tristan Thompson).  If that can be accomplished than the final piece to his master plan will be bringing Andrew Wiggins to Toronto.  A feat that may be 4-6 years away but can also be the defining moment in Canadian basketball if the Raptors are able to bring a first tier NBA star home to Toronto.  If that can be accomplished, then the years of rejection may be washed away and the stigma of leaving the U.S for Canada as a fall back option will disappear.  Of course this all depends on Wiggins living up to the hype and becoming an perennial all-star.  But I have faith in Wiggins and i have even more faith in Masai….the prophet of Canadian basketball.

 

 

 

[Moon RiverParticipant]

As a former resident of Milwaukee, I am officially not offended.

[Moon RiverParticipant]

As a former resident of Milwaukee, I am officially not offended.

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