Latest news with #KyleLowry
New York Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Masai Ujiri and the Raptors have split, but their success will impact Toronto forever
By parting ways with longtime executive Masai Ujiri, the Toronto Raptors have officially moved on from every major element of the most successful stretch in the franchise's 30-year history. No matter your thoughts on whether or not it was time for Ujiri to leave, it's hard to overstate his impact after turning the Raptors into an NBA champion with bold trades and sustained efforts to bring new talent to Toronto. But even the most successful teams must find a new path forward. In the Raptors' case, Ujiri's dismissal may not have been a shocker to many because the franchise has been facing a new direction for a while. Advertisement Since Toronto won the 2019 NBA Finals, the Raptors have sported the NBA's 20th-best win percentage (.475), missed the playoffs four times and parted ways with franchise stars Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, along with key supporting players such as Serge Ibaka and O.G. Anunoby. They haven't finished with more than 41 wins in three seasons and have since replaced those aforementioned pillars with a core led by a 23-year-old Scottie Barnes, 25-year-old RJ Barrett, 26-year-old Immanuel Quickley and 27-year-old Brandon Ingram, the trade-deadline acqusition who has yet to suit up for the Raptors but signed a three-year extension with the team. Under Ujiri, the Raptors were led by head coaches Dwane Casey, Nick Nurse and Darko Rajaković. The Raptors missed the playoffs in each of their first two seasons under Rajaković but went 13-14 after last season's All-Star break, despite several injuries, including Ingram's. By moving on from Ujiri, who, as our own Eric Koreen explains, faced an uncertain future with the Raptors at various points during his 12-year tenure, Toronto will seek to add new successful chapters in its basketball history. Before the Raptors move on, let's examine a timeline of Ujiri's path to running Toronto's show and molding a champion. If you feel there are any glaring omissions, feel free to add and discuss in the comments. 2003 — Ujiri became an international scout for the Denver Nuggets after working in a similar role with the Orlando Magic. 2007 — The Raptors, led by Bryan Colangelo, hired Ujiri into their front office as director of international scouting. He became Toronto's assistant general manager by 2008. 2010 — On Aug. 27, Ujiri returned to the Nuggets as general manager and executive vice president for basketball operations, becoming the first African general manager in major American sports. The Nuggets went 50-32 during his first full season overseeing the franchise. Advertisement 2013 — On May 9, he was named NBA's Executive of the Year for the 2012-13 season, during which Denver won 57 games (tied for its most since joining the NBA via merger with ABA in 1976). 2013 — On May 31, Ujiri re-joined the Raptors as executive vice president and general manager on a five-year, $15 million deal. 2013 — On July 10, the Raptors traded Andrea Bargnani to the New York Knicks for Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, a 2016 first-round pick (used to select Jakob Poeltl ninth) and two second-round picks. 2013 — The Raptors entered Dec. 9 with a record of 7-12 to begin the 2013-14 season. That day, Ujiri traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings for Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, John Salmons and Greivis Vásquez. Toronto had the NBA's fourth-best record (41-22, .651 win percentage) en route to the first of a franchise-record seven consecutive playoff berths. The Raptors finished 48-34, then the best record in team history. 2014 — On April 19, during a fan rally for the Raptors' first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, Ujiri shouted 'F— Brooklyn!' to the crowd, for which he apologized. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Ujiri $25,000 for the incident. 2014 — With the 20th pick, the Raptors took Brazilian forward Bruno Caboclo, a relative unknown who memorably caused ESPN international basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla to declare that Caboclo was 'two years away from being two years away.' Caboclo played just 25 games over three-plus years with the Raptors before Ujiri traded him to Sacramento in 2017. He played for the Kings, Grizzlies and Rockets before leaving the league, but he has put together a solid international career. 2015 — On April 18, at a postseason fan rally, Ujiri said, 'We don't give a s— about it!' in response to the Washington Wizards' Paul Pierce saying the Raptors didn't have an 'it' factor. Silver fined Ujiri $35,000 and the Raptors organization $25,000. Ujiri apologized for the comments. Advertisement 2016 — For the 2015-16 season, the Raptors notched the first 50-win season in team history (56-26 mark, finishing one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, the eventual NBA champions, for first in the East) as Kyle Lowry secured his first career All-NBA nod (Third Team). Toronto reached its first-ever conference final, losing to LeBron James' Cavaliers in six games. 2016 — On June 23, Ujiri and the Raptors drafted New Mexico State's Pascal Siakam, who was born in Cameroon, 27th in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was assigned to the franchise's G League affiliate, Raptors 905, as a rookie. Siakam led Raptors 905 to the G League title that season, averaging 23 points and nine rebounds in the finals en route to MVP honors. 2017 — Led by DeMar DeRozan's All-NBA season (Third Team), Toronto won 51 games in the 2016-17 season but were swept in East semifinals by the Cavaliers. 2017 — The Raptors drafted Indiana forward O.G. Anunoby 23rd in the 2017 NBA Draft. 2018 — During the 2017-18 season, the Raptors set a franchise record with 59 wins as Dwane Casey won NBA Coach of the Year honors. The Raptors fired Casey shortly after the 2018 playoffs, which ended with the Raptors' third consecutive postseason elimination by the Cavaliers, another sweep. Ujiri promoted Toronto assistant Nick Nurse to head coach. 2018 — On July 18, Ujiri traded DeRozan, Poeltl and a top-20-protected 2019 first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and cash. In 60 regular-season games during his lone season as a Raptor, Leonard averaged 26.6 points, which remains the third-highest single-season mark in team history, trailing only peak Vince Carter (27.6 in 2000-01) and DeRozan (27.3 in 2016-17). 2018 — On Nov. 28, during Peace Week, Ujiri was awarded the first-ever President's Peace Medal presented by YMCA of Greater Toronto. Advertisement 2019 — On Feb. 7, the Raptors acquired Marc Gasol from the Grizzlies in exchange for Jonas Valančiūnas, C.J. Miles, Delon Wright and a 2024 second-round pick. Down the stretch of the 2018-19 regular season, Gasol appeared in 25 games for the Raptors, shooting 44.2 percent from deep, ranking second on the team in rebounds (6.6 per game), second in blocks (0.9 per game) and third in assists (4.0 per game). The Raptors were 17.6 points per 100 possessions better when Gasol was on the floor in his 629 minutes to close the regular season than when he sat. 2019 — On June 24, Siakam was named Most Improved Player for the 2018-19 season, during which he averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists after averaging six points across his first 136 NBA games. He earned an All-Star nod and Second Team All-NBA selection by the next season. 2019 — On June 13, the Raptors clinched their first NBA championship, beating the Golden State Warriors 4-2 in that year's finals. Leonard, who won the 2014 NBA Finals MVP as a member of the Spurs, joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers, Bucks) and LeBron James (Cavaliers, Heat) as the only players to win finals MVP honors with multiple teams. Leonard's 732 points for the 2019 playoffs trail only Michael Jordan (759 in 1992) and James (748 in 2018) for the highest-scoring playoff run by any player in NBA history. 2019 — Moments after the 2019 title was secured, Ujiri was seen on video getting into an altercation with a sheriff's deputy. It was alleged by Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, that Ujiri failed to show proper credentials for floor access, shoved a sheriff's deputy and made contact with his face. Lowry eventually came over to escort Ujiri onto the court for the Raptors' celebration. Ujiri disputed the account, saying the sheriff's deputy initiated and escalated the confrontation. Both parties filed lawsuits against the other. Both lawsuits were dropped by February 2021. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. 2020 — After losing Leonard in free agency, the Raptors went 53-19 for the 2019-20 season, the year was interrupted and shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their title defense ended in the second round of the playoffs, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games. 2021 — For the 2020-21 season, the Raptors had their lowest win total since Ujiri took over (going 27-45 and finishing 12th in the East) and hosted home games in Tampa, Fla., due to travel restrictions between the United States and Canada as the pandemic continued. On July 28, the team drafted Florida State's Scottie Barnes fourth, with the Raptors having moved up from seventh in the lottery. 2021 — On Aug. 6, the Raptors signed Lowry to a new contract to complete a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat for Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragić. Advertisement 2021 — Ujiri signed a five-year contract with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. 2022 — The Raptors went 48-34 for the 2021-22 season but were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers. It was the last time the Raptors finished above .500 2023 — On April 21, the Raptors fired Nurse as head coach, leading to Rajaković, who spent time as an assistant for the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, taking over the role. 2023 — On June 30, Ujiri was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. 2023 — On Dec. 30, the Raptors traded Anunoby, Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the Knicks for Barrett, Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick. 2024 — On Jan. 17, the Raptors traded Siakam for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three future first-round picks. 2024 — On July 8, the Raptors and Quickley, a restricted free agent, agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract. On the same day, Barnes signed a five-year, $224.2 million extension. 2025 — On Feb. 6, Ujiri acquired Ingram from the Pelicans in exchange for Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2031 second-rounder. On Feb. 12, the Raptors and Ingram agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract extension, which includes a player option for 2027-28 2025 — Toronto finished the 2024-25 season with a 30-52 record and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, marking the longest such streak under Ujiri. 2025 — On June 25, the Raptors selected South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. 2025 — On Friday, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment parted ways with Ujiri. During his tenure overseeing the franchise, the Raptors had the NBA's fifth-highest win percentage (.565) as they secured almost twice as many playoff berths in 12 seasons under Ujiri's leadership (eight) than the five they clinched in 18 seasons prior. ( Photo: Dan Hamilton / USA Today Network via Imagn Images )
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Ex-Raptors head coach Nick Nurse receives honorary degree from York University
Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse says his life changed a lot after winning the NBA championship in 2019. Nurse reflected on his coaching career during a convocation ceremony on Friday at York University, which awarded him an honorary doctor of laws. He was among the six 'influential changemakers' who received an honorary degree. According to the university, the recipients are recognized for their contributions to community building, their advocacy for social justice and their philanthropy. 'After we won the championship, my life changed a lot,' Nurse said during his speech. Raptors Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, centre left, holds Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy after defeating the Golden State Warriors basketball action in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, June 13, 2019. Raptors have won their first NBA title in franchise history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn He shared that when he was tapped to be the head coach of the Raptors in 2018, he was ready for the job 'because of all the thousands of games I coached.' Before landing the role, Nurse was an assistant coach for the team. He began coaching at 23, leading the Grand View College in Des Moines. Nurse also spent 11 seasons in Europe coaching in the British Basketball League and then took a job in the NBA G-League. 'I tried everything, and I kept the stuff that worked, I crumpled up the stuff that didn't, I polished the stuff that worked. And the point is, someday, that opportunity is going to come to you and something you're really dreaming about or passionate about, but you want to be ready for it,' said Nurse, who is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. 'You want to be ready for it because that's what builds the confidence to be able to go out there and execute it.' Nurse also imparted some lessons he learned on and off the court. He recounted what he saw in the locker room during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. 'All the players are sitting around. There's a board up there that says, 'Steph Curry, who's going to guard him? Don't let him do this. Watch out for this. Draymond Green, who's going to do this?' All this serious basketball, X's and O's. And somebody snuck up there when I wasn't looking—I don't know who—and wrote, 'Let it rip,' on the corner of the board," Nurse recalled. 'The team looked up there and said, 'Come on, man, Game six. Let's let it rip.'' The Raptors beat the Warriors 114-112 in that game to hoist their first Larry O'Brien championship trophy. 'So, when you leave here today, let it rip,' Nurse said. His foundation has funded music programs at the university for the past four years.
Hamilton Spectator
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Kyle Lowry says he is ‘kinda' Canadian during NBA Finals watch party
It's been five seasons since Kyle Lowry wore a Raptors jersey, but he's still repping Canada. Lowry spoke about 'kinda' being a Canadian citizen, the country's NBA players and Pascal Siakam during a WhatsApp watch party of Game Four of the NBA Finals on Friday. 'Wait Canada a legitimate country,' the point guard wrote, adding 'we got 4 players in the finals,' referencing Canadians Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Andrew Nembhard, and Bennedict Mathurin that play for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers He then clarified his use of 'we' when referring to Canada writing 'I'm not a full citizen but I'm kinda like 1.' The GROAT Kyle Lowry is a Canadian at heart. 😭❤️ 'We got 4 players in the Finals playing.' Give him a permanent citizenship right now, @MarkJCarney . 🤧 😂 [via. @WhatsApp ] The watch party was a public WhatsApp group chat with former NBA players Kevin Love and Channing Frye. Fans could tune in for their live reaction to Friday's battle that saw the Thunder squeak past the Pacers in a 111-104 win to tie the series at two games apiece. Lowry also spoke about his former Raptors running-mate and current Pacer Pascal Siakam, saying that he 'got to be a star within 3 years.' 'He worked his ass off,' Lowry wrote. The six time all-star played 35 games for the Philadelphia 76ers this season under former Raptors head coach Nick Nurse. Retirement rumours have followed the 39-year-old all season after a disastrous, 13th place finish for his club. Lowry ranks second all-time in games, minutes played and points for Toronto.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Philadelphia 76ers free agency: Will veteran guard Kyle Lowry return?
Philadelphia 76ers free agency: Will veteran guard Kyle Lowry return? The Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to move forward in the offseason after a miserable year in 2024-25 as injuries decimated the roster. The Sixers do have the No. 3 pick in their possession so that is what will be helpful for them as they look to bounce back. With that being said, one has to wonder what free agency will look like for Philadelphia. The Sixers have 11 free agents they have to take care of. The cap space will be a bit limited in 2025 after the big spending spree in 2024, so don't expect the Sixers to be major players in free agency, but they will be looking to keep a number of key free agents. Up next in this free agency series is veteran guard Kyle Lowry. The future Hall of Famer was limited to only 35 games in the 2024-25 season and averaged 3.9 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. He shot 35% from the floor and 33% from deep as he served more of a mentor role in Philadelphia. Lowry's free agency overview Free agency status: Unrestricted 2024-25 salary: $2.1 million Prediction: Goes Reason for the prediction Lowry has stated that he wants to return to Philadelphia. However, he is 39 years old and the Sixers want to get younger. One has to believe that he will not return as he heads into the next, and possibly final, phase of his career. If by chance he does return, it will be in a role similar to the one he played this year when he was more of the mentor for the youngsters. When he made his return from a lengthy injury absence in April, he received a lot of praise from his teammates for the mentorship and how he helps them grow. At the end of the day, Lowry has put together one helluva career. When he does decide to hang it up, he is going to enter the Hall of Fame and be remembered for his accomplishments such as being named an All-Star six times, being named to an All-NBA Team in 2016, and helping the Toronto Raptors win their only title in franchise history in 2019. Whether Lowry returns or not will be up to the front office, but one has to believe the Sixers will be moving on from the Philadelphia native.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Creator Classic at Philly Cricket live leaderboard: Updates, highlights, tee times
Creator Classic at Philly Cricket live leaderboard: Updates, highlights, tee times The Creator Classic at Philly Cricket is here. The second of three events in the Creator Classic Series in 2025t is Wednesday afternoon at the site of the 2025 Truist Championship. None of the contestants from the the first Creator Classic held TPC Sawgrass are in the field at Philly Cricket. So it'll be a field with fresh faces, as well as some returners from the inaugural Creator Classic ahead of the 2024 Tour Championship, who will take on Philadelphia Cricket Club's Wissahickon Course. Here's what you need to know for the event. Creator Classic at Philly Cricket format The tournament will consist of four, three-person teams, each featuring one YouTube creator and two golf creators, competing on Nos. 10-17 in an alternate shot, gross score format. After the conclusion of play, the two top teams will advance to the par-4 18th hole for a sudden-death playoff. Creator Classic at Philly Cricket field The field includes Kyle Lowry of the Philadelphia 76ers, technology influencer Marques Brownlee aka MKBHD, Tyler Toney of Dude Perfect and Josh Richards of the BFFs podcast. Teaming up with the YouTube creators are three golf content creators returning from the original event –Paige Spiranac, plus Good Good Golf's Brad Dalke and Sean Walsh – as well as new participants Sabrina Andolpho from Golf Girl Games, Erik Anders Lang of Random Golf Club, Claire Hogle, Josh Kelley aka @HoleIn1TrickShots and Matt Scharff from Good Good Golf. Creator Classic at Philly Cricket tee times All times ET 4:05 p.m. : Kyle Lowry, Josh Kelley, Claire Hogel : Kyle Lowry, Josh Kelley, Claire Hogel 4:05 p.m. : Marques Brownlee, Sean Walsh, Sabrina Andolpho : Marques Brownlee, Sean Walsh, Sabrina Andolpho 4:17 p.m. : Josh Richards, Brad Dalke, Erik Anders Lange : Josh Richards, Brad Dalke, Erik Anders Lange 4:17 p.m.: Tyler Toney, Matt Scharff, Paige Spiranac Where to watch Creator Classic at Philly Cricket The competition will be streamed live via the PGA Tour's YouTube channel as well as ESPN+, Peacock and the PGA Tour Channel on Pluto TV, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Fire TV, Tubi, Xumo Play and LG Channels. The Creator Classic at Philly Cricket will be produced to the quality of a premium broadcast, featuring live ShotLink powered by CDW scoring/data, Trackman shot tracing – including tracing via drones – and on-screen graphics. Pro Shop Studios, the entertainment division of Pro Shop and production company behind the Netflix hit series 'Full Swing' and 'Happy Gilmore 2,' will partner with PGA Tour Studios to run on-ground and broadcast production. Across all social platforms, the Creator Classic at TPC Sawgrass reached 55 million users, delivering 90 million total impressions, including 16 million video views. Creator Classic at Philly Cricket tickets Those wanting to attend the Creator Classic at Philly Cricket are encouraged to purchase a Wednesday grounds ticket at the Truist Championship. Future Creator Classics The field and competition format for the final event in the Creator Classic Series in 2025, which will be contested at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, will be announced at a later date.
