Toronto Raptors press conference

[Brian Scalabrine]

Let it rip

[Yeezy]

Can you send me some mushrooms or acid?

Why did you choose Scal as your dude?

[Jackie Kong]

You once said that you would pay the real Brian Scalabrini to congratulate you on video if you ever win the D720 title. I think you said he charges $30?

So, my question is: Are you planning to do so eventually even if you don't win the title? Also, you got any idea if he is still doing those during the quarantine?

[John Stockton]

who are some of your favorite players to watch in the league?

youre one of the longest tenured GMs in the league, so you've seen a lot over the years. what are some of your most memorable moments as the GM of the raptors?

can you send me some of that delicious west coast weed?

[Brian Scalabrine]

May 8, 2020 16:32:37 GMT -5 Yeezy said:

Can you send me some mushrooms or acid?

Why did you choose Scal as your dude?

1. I wish. If I could get any right now though, I'd be saving them for myself.

2. This is actually a great story.

Because I was a contrarian kid, instead of pledging allegiance to the blazers as a wee bab (got into basketball around 10) I chose the Celtics because Paul Pierce was my favorite player. This is probably around 2005 or so, when the Celtics outside of Pierce were nothing to write home about.

Fast forward three years--I'm a middle schooler, and it's the winter of 2008. The Celtics have the big 3 and kick ass. I save up 80 dollars to buy a genuine Paul Pierce jersey. I convince my anti social dad to take me to the mall to buy it. I do--but the only Paul Pierce jesery is an adult XXXL. I assure my dad that it is what I want. The rest of my family absolutely clowns me, and my mom is furious at my dad for letting me waste my money on a Celtics dress.

Well, on the eve of my middle school's staff student basketball game, I wear my Pierce jersey with pride. I should mention of course, that I fucking suck at basketball, was put on the worst team, and never played a game on account of my straight Fs. And, I have bright orange hair.

I share my math class with... The entire first basketball team. As soon as I walk in, ROY JACKSON calls me out "Hey Brian, is that a Brian Scalabrine jersey?"

Before I can respond, he and the rest of the basketball team are snickering and riffing off each other "Brian's gonna play in the staff student basketball game, his uncle Brian Scalabrine is gonna coach us"

Of course... I did not play in the staff student basketball game, and Brian Scalabrine is not my uncle. I was wrought with shame, and never again in my childhood did I dare to wear my expensive, enormous Pierce jersey, even though my mom paid 100 dollars to get it tailored down to a simple 1 1/2 XL for me for my birthday.

So for me, the name Scalabrine is about accepting myself, not playing make-believe about my actual basketball skill, a shout-out to my first favorite player (Pierce), and perhaps most importantly... A personal fuck you to Roy Jackson

[Brian Scalabrine]

May 8, 2020 16:51:44 GMT -5 Jackie Kong said:

You once said that you would pay the real Brian Scalabrini to congratulate you on video if you ever win the D720 title. I think you said he charges $30?

So, my question is: Are you planning to do so eventually even if you don't win the title? Also, you got any idea if he is still doing those during the quarantine?

If I recall, I said I'd pay him to announce my pick if I won the lottery. If I do this year with the Lakers pick, I'll do it this year. And should I win the championship, nothing would bring me more joy than having Scalabrine brag on D720. You have my word.

[Brian Scalabrine]

May 8, 2020 17:06:39 GMT -5 John Stockton said:

who are some of your favorite players to watch in the league?

youre one of the longest tenured GMs in the league, so you've seen a lot over the years. what are some of your most memorable moments as the GM of the raptors?

can you send me some of that delicious west coast weed?

Number one is Dame. Feels like whenever he's on the court, any game could become special. Part of it is the logo range, part of it is how hard he can yam on people when they let him drive, or his circus finishes... But honestly, as a Portland fan, I just love his attitude and demeanor. Competitive as hell, but doesn't have the time to be petty on the court. He lets his game do the talking--and when he DOES get chippy, I am on my feet and hyped as hell, because I know it means he's about to go super nova.

Also, loved watching Lauri before he got Boylen'd. I still believe he's a high all-star level talent, the system is just garbage and not working to his strengths. Still very high on him.

Love to watch Shai, he's so poised and seems like he's always making the right play. Love seeing him stop on a dime to pull up around the freethrow line, that shit slaps.

Some other faves: Doncic is ridiculous, Siakam is so fun to watch, Ja is hype.

Gonna answer the other questions in another response.

[Paul Pierce]

You’ve been around since the beginning and like myself, you’ve changed directions multiple times. You once attempted to win it all, than you won like 5 games and now your trying to win. Which strategy do you enjoy more? Rebuilding or going for the playoffs. Also, what is your biggest mistake since you’ve joined and what has been your best success

[Stuff The Magic Dragon]

What's the worst trade you did that you wish you can take back?

[Shaq O'Neal]

May 8, 2020 22:53:43 GMT -5 Brian Scalabrine said:

May 8, 2020 16:51:44 GMT -5 Jackie Kong said:

You once said that you would pay the real Brian Scalabrini to congratulate you on video if you ever win the D720 title. I think you said he charges $30?

So, my question is: Are you planning to do so eventually even if you don't win the title? Also, you got any idea if he is still doing those during the quarantine?

If I recall, I said I'd pay him to announce my pick if I won the lottery. If I do this year with the Lakers pick, I'll do it this year. And should I win the championship, nothing would bring me more joy than having Scalabrine brag on D720. You have my word.

Billy i don't want to get the first overall pick so rig the lottery and let Brian get the first overall pick.We need this Brian Scalabrine video

[Shaq O'Neal]

What was the most important ingredient for your legendary 5 win season?


Rank your young core (SGA ,MPJ, Bamba,Lauri,Clarke) in order of their expected play in 5 years.


In how many years,do you think you will be legit title contenders and which team will present the biggest challenge to you at that point of time?

[Jackie Kong]

Brian, You think you owe Lauri Markkanen an apology for almost not playing him in his rookie season? Would you change that decision if you could go back to the past and if you were in the past what else would you do generally speaking?

[Brian Scalabrine]

May 8, 2020 23:42:32 GMT -5 Paul Pierce said:

You’ve been around since the beginning and like myself, you’ve changed directions multiple times. You once attempted to win it all, than you won like 5 games and now your trying to win. Which strategy do you enjoy more? Rebuilding or going for the playoffs. Also, what is your biggest mistake since you’ve joined and what has been your best success

When I started, I was going for the chip hard. I was always making trades for more talent (similar to early KG) and I had a slew of great players come through (Wade, Dirk, Bosh, Klay, Kemba, Kobe, CP3, and more)

Lost to a 7th seeded Hawks team in the first round. Didn't have much to show for it. Then the Bosh injury, felt like that championship window got shut.

A lot of people are asking about my biggest mistakes, there are many, but I think the most important one was, when I blew it up I was in the mood of "get all these guys off my team" so much that I sold for lower value than I should have. I could be two or three years ahead of where I am now if I'd been more patient and waited for better deals.

Then my years of absolute bottoming out... Were pretty fun! I liked making trades on the fringes--getting Austin Rivers for nothing and trading him later for a high 2nd, that kind of stuff. I think I did a much better job making something out of nothing than I did turning my "somethings" into "better somethings"

My most favorite approach though, is where I'm at now. I'm competing, but competing for an eye with the future. If I cashed out all of my young guys today, I could probably at least get close to building a 2 year contender. But, I'd like to open up an era of sustained success that builds into a championship window. That's my goal.

[Brian Scalabrine]

May 9, 2020 12:50:06 GMT -5 Jackie Kong said:

Brian, You think you owe Lauri Markkanen an apology for almost not playing him in his rookie season? Would you change that decision if you could go back to the past and if you were in the past what else would you do generally speaking?

I'd change that decision for a few reasons.

1. No one is ever going to forget
2. Difference in draft odds at the too is not that big of a deal.

As far as owing him an apology... It's silly that that's the choice we made as an organization, but I think that the "don't forget what he did to Lauri" comments are overplayed. Because overall, our organization has been pretty damn good to Lauri. We've gotten talent that fits around him excellently--we drafted a low volume shooter as his front court mate who can protect the rim in Bamba, and now I think fitting him alongside Turner is really nice as well. He's started every game since after his rookie season, and the organization has brought in good talent without ever really marginalizing his role. We've prioritized not having too much long term money on the books so that we aren't faced with a tough decision if Lauri earns a big payday.

Lauri is in a weird spot bc of his real life situation doing exactly what we HAVEN'T done to him. We want him long term, we want him to play his game, and we believe in his ceiling as a very very very high level player.

[Brian Scalabrine]

May 9, 2020 0:37:23 GMT -5 Shaq O'Neal said:

What was the most important ingredient for your legendary 5 win season?


Rank your young core (SGA ,MPJ, Bamba,Lauri,Clarke) in order of their expected play in 5 years.


In how many years,do you think you will be legit title contenders and which team will present the biggest challenge to you at that point of time?

For five wins? Easy, we only had one big (Lauri). It's that simple. It's one thing to say you can't play guys out of position, but when you don't have enough to fill a position, you get away with it. And you lose a lot.

I'll answer your next question in tiers. For the record, I am extremely high on all of these guys. They are all excellent core pieces, and valued for what different things they bring to the table. But, I'll answer assuming you're referring more to star power than ability to fit a role.

TIER 1 (in no order)

Lauri
SGA
MPJ

I put these three in tier one, because I think they are going to be players, in and of themselves, that you could build an offense around and have success. I'm very lucky to have all three of them.

Lauri is undersold--he's actually a solid defender, and besides being a great shooter, he can put the ball on the floor. His drag step is wonderful, and he can run full court and finish at the rim. He's a three level scorer, and doesn't take anything off the table in terms of defense and rebounding. He's getting absolutely fucked in Chicago rn.

MPJ has other skills too, but he's the most pure scorer out of this group. His shot is just so fucking good. There were stretches inside a quarter in Denver this season that he looked like the best player on the floor. I think it's pretty likely that the injuries resurface from time to time, but I don't think that will ruin his career. Even if there's a couple seasons that he misses big chunks of, whenever he's playing, he's dynamite. In terms of "if everything goes perfectly" he has legit multiple all-nba level talent. Also, people don't realize he's a great rebounder too.

SGA is just one of my favorite guys to watch. He looks like a Spur. What I mean by that, is he's looked like a vet since day one. Love watching him drive--his long arms give him so many different ways to finish or reach around defenders to sling a pass down the baseline. Not so much in playstyle, but in career trajectory, I see a Tony Parker level star. A guy that played championship winning ball, was often considered the "3rd best" guy on his team, but absolutely essential to what they did. He's a basketball player that will fit with damn near anyone, and who I think has a great career ahead of him .

Tier 2

Clarke

BC is a fucking stud. He's above average on both ends of the floor, and elite on one. Let me say it in big letters for all of y'all: BRANDON CLARKE HAS THE BEST FLOATER IN THE NBA. If you haven't watched him, you have to. He's so fun, and as efficient as anyone else. For his career, I think he's in the tier of absolute best at what he does role players. He could be a star on the right team, but on any team in the league, he's a stud and a fan favorite. I think today, right now, he's a better player than Montrezl Harrell. I think that's his career path--now I'm not saying he isn't a starter, I think in the next five years there will be plenty of teams that could use him there. He's more than good enough for that. But he's not in tier one because those guys are build around pieces, whereas he is more of an absolute top tier complementary piece. He's an important part of my core, no doubt about it.

Tier 3

Bamba

Ohhhhh Mo. He's still developing, he hasn't had as many flashes or success as the other guys, but I still am very high on him. He's already an elite shot blocker per 36, and I think he'll be a 3 and D 5. He's a good fit for the modern game, and I think in the next five years he'll prove that, and be a high end starter. At absolute worst, he's a spot starter who will block shots and bring energy to the team. His ceiling is a lot higher, though I think what's likely is he's a great team player.

[John Stockton]

great answers, Brian. love that you're actually putting some time into answering these questions with detail and some humor sprinkled in there. that scal story had me slapping my knee several times. glad you are in this league, its people like you that make this fun and enjoyable

[Brian Scalabrine]

A trade I wish I hadn't done:

JR Smith's contract for the 47th pick (Svi, who I still believe will have a good career)

A trade I didn't do that I should have:

Thon Maker (before he'd played a game) for Houston '17 1st, a future second, and... Domantas Sabonis

A bad signing I made:

Giving Meyers Leonard >80 mil just because he looked good in the grizzlies series in 15 and the team was breaking up

Two picks I wish I could change:

I had Siakam at the top of my board picking in the second round--but hadn't really watched him or had a good read on him. I literally only had him on my board because of his rebounding numbers, but in my hung over and drug-recovering morning at a hippie festival, thought to myself "don't just pick a guy because of his rebounding numbers that played at a random school--take AJ Hammonds."

Oops.

Traded Chris Paul for the sixth pick, took Stanley Johnson over Kristaps because the buzz was that Stanley was gonna start for the pistons

[Steve Jobs]

May 10, 2020 13:54:19 GMT -5 Brian Scalabrine said:

A trade I wish I hadn't done:

JR Smith's contract for the 47th pick (Svi, who I still believe will have a good career)

A trade I didn't do that I should have:

Thon Maker (before he'd played a game) for Houston '17 1st, a future second, and... Domantas Sabonis

A bad signing I made:

Giving Meyers Leonard >80 mil just because he looked good in the grizzlies series in 15 and the team was breaking up

Two picks I wish I could change:

I had Siakam at the top of my board picking in the second round--but hadn't really watched him or had a good read on him. I literally only had him on my board because of his rebounding numbers, but in my hung over and drug-recovering morning at a hippie festival, thought to myself "don't just pick a guy because of his rebounding numbers that played at a random school--take AJ Hammonds."

Oops.

Traded Chris Paul for the sixth pick, took Stanley Johnson over Kristaps because the buzz was that Stanley was gonna start for the pistons

Can’t blame you too much for the “taking Stanley Johnson” thing... even if KP would have been the wiser choice. The hype was clearly unjustified, but it was pretty much universally very high.

I remember being very interested in trading into a 7-12 range pick that draft with SJ, Justise, and Turner heavily on my radar. Nothing materialized so I just resorted to trading for Myles later on.

[Steve Jobs]

Who do you think is the most talented player you’ve had on your roster across the entire history of the league?

If you could trade one of Lauri / SGA straight up for another player that is 23 or younger who has yet to make an all-star game... who would you trade and who would you target?

[Brian Scalabrine]

May 10, 2020 16:50:33 GMT -5 Steve Jobs said:

Who do you think is the most talented player you’ve had on your roster across the entire history of the league?

If you could trade one of Lauri / SGA straight up for another player that is 23 or younger who has yet to make an all-star game... who would you trade and who would you target?

Most talented is such a hard question to answer. Probably CP3... But when I say that, I'm not equating talent to "best for the team or most important" I'm thinking more in terms of "innate feel for the game and natural ability/intangibles". To that end, CP3 is the guy who has done the most with the least, and an all time great PG.

I also had post injury Kobe, pre blood clots Chris Bosh who is still underrated, old Dirk, and Klay.

Shout-out though to Michael Porter Jr. He really has top level scoring talent. Whether he puts it all together in terms of health and team role and having his head right is still to be seen (I'm betting he gets close to his ceiling) bug it terms of raw talent, he's got as much as anyone who hasn't been an MVP or FMVP in the league today.

If I were going to trade one of the guys for another youngster that isn't an all-star yet, it would be Lauri for Zion or Jaylen Brown. That's just a positional team building thing. SGA I probably just wouldn't move. He's great as a guy that can play three positions, fit on any team build, and he sniffed all-star status this year. That is, he was never really going to make it, but he was thought about. Love that from a 21 year old tall PG who has been solid from day one. He's in the next top tier of valuable future backcourt guys with Trae, Morant, Booker, ect. Doncic is in his own tier since he's already an MVP candidate.

[Brian Scalabrine]

One of the best questions here that I haven't answered yet is when I think I'm a contender and who I think I'm competing against.

Let me first breakdown our roster, roughly.

SGA/Smart/Warren/Lauri/Turner

Lou/McCaw/MPJ/Clarke/Bamba

With Jerami Grant as another piece

I've tried to assemble a roster with a balance of young high upside pieces that already are valuable contributors (Lauri, MPJ, SGA, Clarke, Bamba) and early prime guys (Grant, Warren, Smart, Turner) that can realistically still have their best years in the next three or so years. Lou Will is the exception to this strategy, but I got him for expiring money and expiring Rodney Hood, and for a late career guy that I can still expect to be an elite sixth man this year and next, I couldn't pass up that amount of talent.

The way I see it, I just need a couple things to break the right way to really be a full fledged contender. That's any of the first nine guys I listed taking a "next step" forward. We're already deep, we just need one or two of our high end players to take another step forward to being an all-star level guy to really be ECF or Finals contenders. With all of those guys having staying power at how they're producing now at worst, and high high upside at best, I feel comfortable that a couple of them will breakout more.

In terms of who I think I'm competing against...

OKC (Brown, Simmons, Beal, Murray)
CHI (KAT, Collins, Booker)
DAL (Doncic, Zion)

Are a few of the teams I think have similar long term contending windows. However, I think my team has the best chance of having long-term high end depth, even if some of them have more proven and developed high end talent.

The NBA is unpredictable. Injuries happen, guys flame out or explode, people leave in FA... I feel pretty confident that I have a great chance at keeping my core together, and that my pieces have great chances of developing enough to open up an era's worth of contention. I think Toronto is as good a bet for a future title run as anyone.

[Jackie Kong]

You made several 2nd round picks over the years and I can tell you usually look forward to that time of the season so, I got a couple of questions related to that.

What 2nd round picks you made are you most happy or proud about? Was there any time you picked a player but then wished you drafted someone else that maybe even was in your shortlist? And did you ever picked someone that turned out to be good but almost selected someone that wasn't?

Last 2 questions I mostly thought about asking because of that post Scott Pilgrim made like 6 months ago showing his shortlist that included Kendrick Nunn. He did have like 5 more guys in there though that were no good.