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Toronto Raptors: 4 Takeaways from Masai Ujiri’s pre-draft press conference

By Chris Okrainetz

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) goes to shoot against Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Ujiri believes shooting can be developed

Adding more shooters is a top priority for the Raptors this offseason, but acquiring shooters is easier said than done. Ujiri said he believes the Raptors have the ability to shoot the three, but they didn’t shoot the three well. Inconsistency was an issue for the Raptors this past season, but playing without Lowry, who was one of the team’s best perimeter players, didn’t help matters either.

Lowry is the focal point of Toronto’s offseason, but if the Raptors can’t add shooters through a trade or free agency, Ujiri believes the team can develop shooting. He used free agent forward Serge Ibaka as an example of how a player can develop their shot.

"“I think Serge Ibaka is one of the best three point shooters as a big in the NBA. I would say he learned to shoot the three. When I knew him in Africa he couldn’t shoot a two, and now he’s a three point shooter. So I think guys can become three point shooters. It’s a lot of work, but I think they can.”"

When you look at Ibaka’s career, he didn’t really start shooting the three until his fourth year in the league, and even then he only attempted 57 threes in 80 games. The last three seasons is where Ibaka has really taken strides with his three point shot. He’s averaged a .364 three point percentage on 235.3 attempts the past three seasons, which is more than he produced during his first five seasons in the league combined.

So perhaps Ujiri sees a few more guys on the Raptors who can potentially develop a three point shot like Ibaka did, but it’s clearly a long process that requires patience and commitment to the player’s development.

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