In a rare display of emotion, Toronto Raptors President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri broke down in tears while talking about Pascal Siakam during his press conference.
On Wednesday, Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers, ending his eight year stint with the team from Canada.
During his time with the Raptors, Siakam accomplished remarkable feats. Not only did he secure an NBA title, but he also received two NBA All-Star nominations, two All-NBA team selections, and even earned the Most Improved Player award. These achievements have firmly established Siakam as one of the (still young) franchise’s all-time greats.
“Two African guys that won a championship. I share that with him.
A lot of people don’t know that when Pascal came to Basketball Without Borders in South Africa, he had been admitted to pastoral school in Cameroon and only came to Basketball Without Borders to see his sister, who lives in South Africa. … Again, I say to you guys, that guy’s success is my success no matter where he is.
When you look at a guy that has that kind of impact, that kind of capacity, in our league, it’s something, that’s just who he is. That guy worked harder than everybody, came to practice before everybody, left after everybody. No excuses. He played every freaking game…”
“You think that’s easy for me? It’s not easy. It’s not easy. And I’m a tough motherf***er. Honestly, the human part of this business is tough. My wife and my kids see me suffer. My son texted me and said, ‘You traded OG?’ It’s tough, it’s really tough.
Trading a player and when a player leaves is the most difficult thing. Fred [VanVleet] said it. When he was asked, ‘What was the most difficult thing?’ He said it was the call he made to me. I remember that call. It’s the most difficult thing in this business.”
Here’s the full three minute answer of #Raptors president Masai Ujiri being asked if it would benefit him to be colder in terms of management.
“Colder than I am now? I mean, goddamn.”
Touched on DeRozan trade, losing VanVleet, firing Casey & Nurse: pic.twitter.com/JhDS3p7JWq
— Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) January 18, 2024
