WATCH ABOVE: Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri seemed to struggle with words Tuesday while trying to explain how the basketball club was dumped out of the playoffs in a four-game sweep.
TORONTO – Toronto Raptors’ General Manager Masai Ujiri admits he may have dropped the ball on how he handled his team following the NBA All-Star break which led to a quick exit in their opening round playoff series against the Washington Wizards.
“Maybe I didn’t get a good pulse on it, like from All-Star break to now, but we’re going to look at that,” said Ujiri during his end-of-season press conference Tuesday morning at the Air Canada Centre.
“It’s not acceptable how we finished and I hold myself accountable. We’re going to look at coaching, managing, we’re going to look at players.”
The Raptors were swept by the Wizards and finished their season on a low note after claiming the Atlantic Division title for the second straight year.
READ MORE: Paul Pierce pokes fun at Raptors after NBA playoff sweep
WATCH ABOVE: Change of playing style contributed to decline, says Ujiri
Ujiri said the style of play with a focus on offense as opposed to defensive-minded basketball contributed to the team’s decline late in the season.
“Coach Casey is a defensive coach. For me, the responsibility last year was we were a defensive team. This year we kind of went away from that,” said Ujiri.
“I don’t think it was mostly on coach Casey, but mostly maybe on injuries which happens to every team.”
The Raptors were dealt a major blow after losing star player DeMar DeRozan for almost six weeks during the season with a torn tendon in his groin.
Ujiri said that put too much pressure on guard Kyle Lowry to step up and pick up the slack.
“When Demar got hurt, Kyle used so much energy in carrying this team those three months. Did he run out of gas?” he said.
WATCH ABOVE: Ujiri says “everyone” will be evaluated, including coach Casey
“It takes so much out of him. We tried to give him from rest but when he came back he had some back issues.”
Ujiri said he expect the club to have a busy off-season with the possibility of landing some key free agents to help his young players along.
“We feel we’re getting there, where we can attract some players. We want to build a good culture that will attract players to come play here.”
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