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Went 2 for 2 for the Grizzlies today tallying 4 points. Nice to see him on the floor albeit in garbage time
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Yuta is getting some preseason action with the raptors - drills a 3 around 6:20 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhbJNqib1Kw&t=219s&ab_channel=NBA
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Yuta given another crack at the NBA. Most likely on a 2-way contract
https://www.bardown.com/yuta-watanabe-the-nba-s-second-japanese-player-makes-the-raptors-after-training-camp-1.1566475
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Thanks for the links Brod. At the second link, there’s a Yuta highlight video from the game. My favorite part is when he has the skip pass assist to Flynn for a three because he makes the case and just runs back on defense knowing it’s going in before the shot even leaves Flynn’s fingers. Reminded me of the reaction to Matt Hart’s deep three in the NIT final when ML knew it was in as soon as her shot it.
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Congratulations to Yuta. That's great news.
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It is great, as he had to beat out several others for the spot, though wish he had a full contract.
Know or care little about the NBA, outside of Yuta. But I tried to read up on 2-way contracts this year a bit.
Looks different this year. A flat salary of nearly $450,000 ($449,000 and change).
And there was an Exhibit 10 bonus of up to $50,000 for playing with the G-League affiliate. But that might be subsumed by his 2-way deal--or become a guaranteed salary. Someone might know more about this, if it matters.
More important, it looks like he can play in up to 50 NBA games.
Not sure if that's likely, but perhaps Toronto will have a need. Yuta has shown his worth in preseason and
if he is on from 3, along with his other skills--including the ability to play any position on the court, he can be a valuable resource
Kind of good and bad. Less pressure on them to convert to a full contract if he does well--and presumably, he can't sign with anyone else. Contract is way less than NBA minimum if his 2 years of experience are counted.
But a quite nice salary for the G-League time and a good chance to get more more NBA experience if Raptors use him.
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Here is a most recent (and positive) assessment of Yuta's NBA prospects on the Raptors going forward.
https://www.raptorshq.com/2020/12/21/22191264/player-preview-2020-21-toronto-raptors-yuta-watanabe-questions
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https://twitter.com/Akiko_LA/status/1341150368294531072
If I'm interpreting the Google translation correctly, it looks like his Raptors teammates were saying that they all wanted him on the team.
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jf wrote:
It is great, as he had to beat out several others for the spot, though wish he had a full contract.
Know or care little about the NBA, outside of Yuta. But I tried to read up on 2-way contracts this year a bit.
Looks different this year. A flat salary of nearly $450,000 ($449,000 and change).
And there was an Exhibit 10 bonus of up to $50,000 for playing with the G-League affiliate. But that might be subsumed by his 2-way deal--or become a guaranteed salary. Someone might know more about this, if it matters.
More important, it looks like he can play in up to 50 NBA games.
Not sure if that's likely, but perhaps Toronto will have a need. Yuta has shown his worth in preseason and
if he is on from 3, along with his other skills--including the ability to play any position on the court, he can be a valuable resource
Kind of good and bad. Less pressure on them to convert to a full contract if he does well--and presumably, he can't sign with anyone else. Contract is way less than NBA minimum if his 2 years of experience are counted.
But a quite nice salary for the G-League time and a good chance to get more more NBA experience if Raptors use him.
I’ll take 450k to work 6 months out of the year any day. Congrats Yuta! Glad I preemptively scooped him up in my fantasy draft last week.
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500K??! I'll see you losers at the track tomorrow 6am sharp
I'd bet a niickel Yuta sees some NBA miinutes with COVID making it's rounds
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Congrats Yuta...unfollowed Grizz, followed Raptors.
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Yahoo Sports Canada interview for your viewing pleasure:
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/1-1-yuta-watanabe-role-213344466.html
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Yuta played 19 minutes in a win against the Kings last night.
Went 1-5 from the field, 1-2 from three, 7 rebounds (including 2 offensive boards), and one block (linked below). Also was +16 which was 3rd best on the team (Siakam and Anunoby were +17).
https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1347763127270731776
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That's awesome. Glad to see the pros taking notice of Yuta.
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Yuta got some minutes off the bench tonight in the Raptors loss to Golden State:
9 Minutes
1-3 from the Field
0-3 from 3
2 defensive rebounds
1 assist
2 blocks
2 TOs
2 Fouls
+/- of -7 (2nd worst on the team)
Nice to see Yuta getting some more playing time. 2 blocks in 9 minutes is very nice to see including this block on Curry:
https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1348468856021524480
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It's good to see Yuta in the rotation for a young, somewhat elite team like the Raptors. The Raptors are struggling now because they are playing all their home games in Tampa due to COVID restrictions in Canada. Under normal circumstances, they're probably one of the better teams in the NBA.
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Yuta received some decent playing time in last night's win against the Hornets (though he was pulled for a majority of the 4th).
15 Minutes
3 points
1-2 from the Field (1-2 from 3)
4 defensive rebounds
1 steal
1 block
+8 (2nd best behind Kyle Lowry)
Raptors highlighted him with another tweet as well:
https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1349886510099804161
Here's an article in The Atlantic: https://theathletic.com/2324569/2021/01/15/yuta-watanabe-is-becoming-raptors-glue-guy-off-the-bench/
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MG14 wrote:
Yuta received some decent playing time in last night's win against the Hornets (though he was pulled for a majority of the 4th).
15 Minutes
3 points
1-2 from the Field (1-2 from 3)
4 defensive rebounds
1 steal
1 block
+8 (2nd best behind Kyle Lowry)
Raptors highlighted him with another tweet as well:
https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1349886510099804161
Here's an article in The Atlantic: https://theathletic.com/2324569/2021/01/15/yuta-watanabe-is-becoming-raptors-glue-guy-off-the-bench/
MG, thank you for posting these links. I enjoyed reading about Yuta. I still remember how hard he worked every second he was on the court for GW. It seems as if he's doing the same thing in the NBA and it's working! I would say my favorite players in all sports are/were the hardest working players, as opposed to the most talented players (although the true greats are both skill and exceptionally hard working, IMO).
I am interested in knowing who everyone here thinks are the all-time 5 hardest working GW players (for each position). Would anyone have an opinion on that?
I would of course have to say Yuta would be included on that list as a SF.
And maybe for Point Guard Shawnta Rodgers, SG I don't know, PF, Mike Hall and C maybe Mike Brown who played with Shawta. Does anyone else have an opinion?