11-25-2019, 01:12 AM
NEW ORLEANS - As All-Star festivities wrap up in New Orleans and the focus immediately shifts to Thursdays NBA trade deadline, Masai Ujiri is prepared for a busy week of fielding phone calls. Cheslor Cuthbert Jersey . “Ill be right here," he said pointing to his cell phone, "waiting and well see what happens." "I never know what to expect," Ujiri continued, speaking to TSN.ca ahead of Sundays All-Star game. "Sometimes its quiet until the last minute, sometimes its busy. As far as our team, I think the team has played well. They have done well with the platform so [well] keep trying to grow." If the Raptors general manager is feeling any pressure to make a move ahead of the deadline, hes not showing it. Ujiri remains patient, committed to sustainable long-term growth and weary of disrupting the teams newfound chemistry, but he wouldnt rule out pulling the trigger on the right deal, if its out there. Despite his teams recent success, the plan hasnt changed and neither has his composure. "I always said since I came [to Toronto], the players will dictate where we go and the team will dictate where we go," he stated. "Thats kind of how its been. So theyre growing and you want it that way." Following a disappointing 6-12 start to the season, the Raptors have gone 21-12 since trading Rudy Gay to Sacramento on Dec. 9. Whats stood out to Ujiri, coach Dwane Casey, the players and anyone that has watched this team over the last two months is their on-court chemistry. Gays absence has allowed for a more cohesive offence, predicated on ball movement, which has allowed Kyle Lowry and Torontos young players to flourish. All four incoming players have contributed and the defence has improved. Still, not even the Raptors architect could have predicted such a quick turnaround. "We try to study [but] were not geniuses," Ujiri admitted. "You have to get lucky sometimes and I think we were lucky. It kind of came together in terms of chemistry." With 30 regular season games to go, the Raptors find themselves at the top of the Atlantic Division, third in the Eastern Conference. Theyre one game ahead of fourth-place Chicago and only 3.5 games separate them from Brooklyn, sitting in the seventh seed. Ujiri wont compromise the organizations future for instant gratification but he knows where they sit in the East and would consider adding another impact player as long as it doesnt derail their long-term flexibility. "I dont want to call out the conference," he said, "I cant do that but its the measuring stick and I think we have to keep that in mind.” Lowry - a subject of trade rumours all season, the final year of his contract - has been a big part of the Raptors success and figures to be just as valuable to a their playoff cause. The question, as it has been for months is: Will he be around for the stretch run? “I hate to comment about any player in that way, but I think we are not good enough so you have to keep it open," he responded. "Thats the honest answer. These guys have done pretty good. I know weve won a couple of games but we havent done anything yet." Translation; there are no untradeable players on the roster, Lowry included. If the right offer comes along Lowry could be moved but the asking price is significant, as it should be. It should go without saying, but Ujiri wont be pressured into selling off Lowry or any of his assets simply to make a mid-season splash. Although previous regimes have fallen into that trap, the Raptors first-year GM will survey the field and go from there. His phone is on. His eyes and ears are open. Jeff Suppan Jersey . 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Perhaps key victories from Netherlands or the United States will be your key to victory.BERLIN -- Borussia Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl scored the only goal as his team consolidated second place in the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win at his former club Freiburg on Sunday. Kehls goal came against the run of play in the 58th minute when he swept the ball over Freiburg goalkeeper Oliver Baumann from around 25 metres with his left foot. "We didnt really have any shots on goal. Dortmund neither -- apart from Kehls shot," Baumann said. "Its annoying, because we were holding our own." The result prevented Freiburg from escaping the relegation zone with a win. It would have been the clubs 100th home win in 500 Bundesliga games. Dortmund restored its 20-point gap behind runaway leader Bayern Munich. "Whoever wins these sorts of games becomes champion, but that doesnt apply (this season)," Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp joked, referring to Bayerns unprecedented form. Both Dortmund and Freiburg cancelled each other out in a first half of few real threats, and there werent many more chances in the second. "It was a lucky win for us. You have to say that," Doortmund defender Mats Hummels said. Dick Howser Jersey. Dortmunds Sokratis was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card at the end of the first when he appeared to take down the surging Philipp Zulechner. "If he showed a card at all, it should be red as he was the last defender," Zulechner said. Mainz drew 1-1 at home with Hertha Berlin in Sundays late game, a result that cost both sides the chance to climb into the European qualification places. Hertha goalkeeper Thomas Kraft made a series of key interventions as the home side came closest to scoring in the first half. Adrian Ramos put the visitors ahead in the 51st, when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting lost the ball to Per Skjelbred, who set up the Colombian striker to shoot inside the far post. Choupo-Moting atoned in the 65th with a well-struck penalty, conceded when Sami Allagui brought down Koo Ja-Cheol. "We made unnecessary mistakes in the first half but improved in the second," said Hertha coach Jos Luhukay, whose side remains ninth, two points behind seventh-placed Mainz. "Were happy with the point." ' ' '