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President of the Raptors Excuses to Leave DeRozan
TORONTO – Raptors President Masai Ujiri apologized Friday (Saturday in Manila) for "miscommunication" with DeMar DeRozan four times star star and franchise
Speaking for the first time since sending DeRozan to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, Ujiri began by saying sorry to DeRozan. Raptor's career had expressed his anger and frustration in an Instagram post after learning the deal, stating that he had been informed that he would not be exchanged.
Shortly after Ujiri's apology Friday (Saturday in Manila), DeRozan's Instagram feed: a facepalm emoji, a symbol of frustration and exasperation.
Reflecting on a conversation he had had with DeRozan at the Summer League earlier this month, Ujiri said he would have handled better.
"Maybe my mistake was to talk about what we expected from him," said Ujiri. "I think that's where the gap was, because in my job I always have to assume that I'm going ahead with the team that I have. If there was a communication problem, I apologize to DeMar. "
Yet after three disappointing straight knockouts, Ujiri felt something to change with the Raptors. He admitted to having struggled with the "human side" of the trade, but decided that Leonard was too good a price to pass.
Now, says Ujiri, the Raptors "are walking on a territory we never have."
"I think if we look honestly, everyone knows we have to do something different, even if it was not that," Ujiri said. "We had to find something different – I take responsibility."
"We've been doing this for how many years?" Ujiri says. "You can not continue doing the same thing again and again. again. And when you have a chance to get a top 5, which does not come up very often, I think you have to jump on it. We gave this team a chance, we tried to build it as much as we can, but at that moment, this opportunity came to us and we had to jump on it. "
DeRozan led the Raptors scored in each of the last five years and played a key role in the Toronto victory by winning a record 59 wins and winning the first place in the conference. Is last season.
"DeMar DeRozan" Ujiri said, promising that the missing guard will be recognized "to the greatest extent we can do it" for his nine seasons with the Raptors.
Even with DeRozan, Toronto lost three straight playoff series against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, including consecutive scans in the second round. The Raptors have never reached the finals of the NBA.
Leonard, the 2014 NBA MVP, finished two of the top three MVP titles and twice won the defensive player of the year award. Ujiri called his new acquisition "a basketball player who plays both sides of the table and produces."
Yet there are reasons to worry. A seven-year veteran, Leonard missed all but nine games last season because of a leg injury. He may become a free agent next summer and has expressed his desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, as long as Leonard is with the Raptors, Ujiri will work to show him what Toronto has to offer. [19659003"Ithinkthere'salottosellhere"saidUjiri"OurteamhasaculturalfocusonourpropertyWe'veallbeeninvolvedinachampionshipatmyhomebutIdonotknowwhatwearedoinginthiscity"
Leonard has not yet passed a physical exam, Ujiri said, adding that he expects that it will happen "in the coming days."
Ujiri, returning a trip to Africa earlier on Friday, did not meet Leonard in person since the trade, but said that they spoke on the phone. Ujiri has disputed rumors that Leonard has no interest in playing north of the border.
"He did not express a lack of interest in playing in Canada for me," said Ujiri
DeRozan and Leonard should be on Next week, USA Basketball will convene a camp of 39th National Team Training in Las Vegas. This team is coached by Gregg Popovich of San Antonio
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