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Chris Tomasson: Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri after Monday's 94-81 loss to New Orleans: "I wish we had Tebow tonight. He would have saved us tonight." Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

Denver executive Masai Ujiri joked that Afflalo is "out of exile" — it took both sides a couple of weeks to hammer out the contract for the restricted free agent. "I always anticipated being back," said Afflalo, who averaged 12.6 points per game last season. "Obviously, I had to respect the process of being a free agent. The timing with the lockout and the training camp and free agency starting probably made it a little more difficult. But I always anticipated being a Nugget. I got my true first opportunity to flourish as a player here." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Masai Ujiri, Arron Afflalo 

The Nuggets remain "very optimistic" they will re-sign Arron Afflalo, team executive Masai Ujiri said Thursday. But whether last year's starting shooting guard returns or not, Fernandez will be a key to their fortunes with his 3 and "D." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Masai Ujiri, Arron Afflalo 

The Pacers are the other team with the cap room and interest to land Nene, and were among those in the process of reaching out to the Brazilian's representatives Wednesday. The Rockets and Warriors could easily make room, which would preclude them from having to work with Denver on a sign-and-trade -- which no longer would get Nene the full max under the new rules. The Nuggets' best hope for receiving assets back for Nene would be if he were intent on joining a capped-out team like the Mavs or Heat, which would need to arrange a sign-and-trade to get him. Nuggets exec Masai Ujiri, who handled the Carmelo Anthony saga with aplomb, finds himself immersed in a franchise-shaping crisis for the second year in a row. CBSSports.com

Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Masai Ujiri, Nene 

It started on the outdoor basketball courts in northern Nigeria where 13-year-old Masai Ujiri and his friends began to play for as long as their parents would allow. On Saturdays his mother bought him a copy of Sports Illustrated or Basketball Digest or any American magazine that could help fill his need for basketball. He and his friends watched VHS tapes of NBA games or basketball movies. "All of the films,'' said Ujiri, who is now the 40-year-old general manager of the Denver Nuggets. "Come Fly With Me, with Michael Jordan, and The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, we watched that too.'' Sitting through The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh is the ultimate test of basketball love. "Dr. J? For sure we watched that,'' he said. "For sure.'' SI.com

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

His far-fetched goal was to become an NBA scout who traveled Africa in search of neglected talents. There were all kinds of reasons to doubt whether an African immigrant with little basketball pedigree could work in the front office of an NBA team, but he charged on all the same. He attended games in America and abroad to study the players and meet the coaches and administrators. Anytime he met anyone of interest he took down contact information in his black address book, and in the weeks ahead he reached out to them. He made friends easily because he worked hard at maintaining relationships, and also because he had information to share. During an NBA summer league game in Boston, he met an American scout named David Thorpe, who eventually introduced him to college coaches. "Now I was talking to Thad Matta, Billy Donovan and Leonard Hamilton,'' Ujiri said. "I started having contact with Jim Calhoun and Roy Williams, and all of a sudden a lot of these coaches are calling me about players and I'm giving them information and telling them how good this kid is or whether he is good enough to play for them. I started placing kids in high schools. That is how we started building relationships with each other.'' SI.com

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

In 2002, Ujiri was accompanying a young Nigerian player to a draft tryout in Orlando. Magic scouting director Gary Brokaw was impressed with his understanding of international players, and he introduced Ujiri to coach Doc Rivers and GM John Gabriel, who "hired'' Ujiri as an unpaid scout for the next year. It may have been the most expensive job opportunity in NBA history -- expensive for the employee. "I used all my savings and miles to travel to tournaments around the world,'' he said. SI.com

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

Consider the career path of the Nuggets' GM, who grew up far away believing in a mythical fish that saved Pittsburgh. His desire to become part of the larger basketball world inspired him to reach out to those who could extend his reach. What he didn't realize is that his helpers could also benefit from that reach. He became a means for them to understand and grasp the faraway places that are no longer beyond them. It is through people like Masai Ujiri that the world shrinks and distant strangers become close friends. "I really do believe the reason God has put me in the place I am is to tell this story and to give an opportunity to these kids in Africa,'' he said. "The moment they start to play at a young age in Africa, it's over. The moment somebody figures it out to put facilities up in Nigeria, the Congo, South Africa, so that the kids can play all day, it's over. There is not even a question about the talent you are going to see coming from Africa.'' SI.com

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

Sitting near Amadou was our other host, Denver Nuggets general manager and Nigerian native Masai Ujiri. Having arrived a day before us, Masai seemed to have recovered from his jet lag and looked like a kid in a candy store. I've gotten to know Masai since he took the GM job in Denver a year ago, but at games I'm used to seeing him standing in the Pepsi Center, arms folded with a serious look on his face ... as if every Nuggets possession represents a carefully thought out chess move for him. Here in Tana, I'm seeing a different side of Masai. Elated from watching his countrymen defeat the Central African Republic earlier in the day, Masai is all smiles and enthusiastically explains to Marc and I everything we need to know about African basketball: the players (virtually all of whom played or play in the NCAA and professionally in Africa), the coaches, the federations, the history and so on. There are no better ambassadors to Africa for the NBA -- and the overall sport of basketball in Africa for that matter -- than Amadou and Masai, both of whom are tall in stature but have hearts bigger than their physical frames. Both were damn good players in their youth -- Amadou played for Senegal, Masai for Nigeria -- but neither were good enough to make it to the NBA. Like most African players, Amadou and Masai may have had the physical gifts to someday become NBA players, but they started playing the game too late. SB Nation

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Africa, Magadascar 

To foster an interest in basketball early in kids' lives and get Africa's best young players the coaching they desperately need, Amadou and Masai run camps all over the continent, culminating with their signature Basketball Without Borders camp, taking place this Thursday in Johannesburg. The eighth time BWB has been hosted in Johannesburg, next week's camp will feature 60 campers between 18-24 years old meeting NBA legends like Mutombo, Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning while getting coached by current NBA coaches and executives. Seeing the African teams up close in the FIBA Afrobasket quarterfinals, I share Amadou and Masai's vision for getting more African players onto the world's grandest basketball stage. The raw talent is here and I saw some splendid basketball. SB Nation

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Africa, Magadascar 

Chris Tomasson: Masai Ujiri said doesn't want to comment on Den asst Adrian Dantley ouster George Karl hasn't returned messages, not at Monday media session Twitter

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Masai Ujiri, Adrian Dantley 

Chris Tomasson: George Karl would love to have son Coby join Nuggets late in season like last year but hasn't spoken to executive Masai Ujiri about it yet. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, George Karl, Coby Karl, Masai Ujiri 

Chris Tomasson: George Karl says son Coby Karl's contract in Spain would allow him to join an NBA team at the end of this season. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, George Karl, Coby Karl, Masai Ujiri 

Ujiri moved to Washington in 2002 and began attending Final Fours and camps, and connecting with colleges coaches, who introduced him to scouts and N.B.A. personnel directors. They were impressed with his easy manner and incisive knowledge of players, where they came from and their abilities. John Gabriel, then the Orlando Magic’s general manager, began giving Ujiri scouting assignments. Along the way, Ujiri dedicated himself to helping other Africans follow his path. In 2003, he developed a camp in Nigeria for the top 50 young basketball players. Then he added a camp for players 6 feet 8 inches and taller. New York Times

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

The annual Top 50 and the Big Man camps have become destinations for high school, college and professional scouts. “There are a lot of good, smart kids there who just need an opportunity,” Ujiri said. “I represent a great continent. People ask, is there pressure on me. I don’t feel pressure at all. It’s an unbelievable challenge for me, but I feel like I carry the weight of my continent on my shoulders. I want to help the next generation in Africa.” New York Times

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

Q: When did you know you wanted to sign George to an extension? Masai Ujiri: Josh and I talked about it from Day 1. It was a goal of ours. There’s never been any question. Josh has been really good with this. I kept him up to speed with everything. We’ve known all along. We were just going through so many things that we kind of had to do it in different stages. We knew George’s stage would come. It’s not that it wasn’t a priority, but we were trying to set up our future. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Masai Ujiri 

No one ever worried that a deal would get done. George Karl wanted to be part of the Nuggets, and the Nuggets wanted him to be part of the organization for years to come. The two sides put the final touches on a three-year contract extension Tuesday, with team options to extend the deal for three more years. The contract will keep Karl with the Nuggets through at least the 2013-14 season and quite possibly as long as the 2016-17 season. Karl, 59, has said many times he wants to finish his career with the Nuggets. Now he gets the chance. "We're very happy. Really, really excited," Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said. "We've been working on it for a little bit, and we're extremely excited to have George done. It's been one of our priorities." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Masai Ujiri 

Q: What was the atmosphere like when George signed his contract and made it official? A: You could tell there was a sign of happiness and relief. He’s gone through a tough year. George has been excellent. Look where we are with the type of year we’ve had with all the circumstances. I could tell he’s relieved and happy. He gave me a big hug and told me to tell the Kroenkes thank you. I’m sure he’ll be calling them. Q: What about for you? How excited were you to get this done? A: It’s unbelievable. My relationship with George, we go a long way back. He’s special to me and he’s a special guy. He’s a Hall of Fame coach. He’s a winning coach and he brings winning to our organization and he brings fun to basketball. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Masai Ujiri 

“I don’t know how many times I told [Denver GM] Masai [Ujiri], ‘I’m done; I’m out,’ ” King said. “I’m yelling at him, I’m hanging up on him. I’m sending crazy emails at six in the morning. ‘I’m out. Don’t call me.’ And I wouldn’t call him for a week. … And then a text would come … “ And King would be right back to the big board in his office, desperate to find a way to get ‘Melo in ’11 and his point guard in ’12. Only, they ended up with Williams on a shorter contract. And now, the Nets have less than a season and a half to make something happen with him. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Trade, Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Billy King, Masai Ujiri 

When I bumped into Josh (Kroene) and Masai (Ujiri) at Pepsi Center before Thursday night's game, I had invited them both to come to the party. At the time, they said they appreciated the invite but probably wouldn't be able to make it. So when they showed up, I was as surprised as anyone. After I thanked the great readers of Denver Stiffs for supporting this site and coming to the event, Josh and Masai each took the microphone and thanked Nuggets fans everywhere for their support through the Carmelo Anthony trade saga. They also stuck around for photos and talks with the fans, most of whom seemed awstruck that their favorite team's owner and GM would actually show up to an event like this. denverstiffs.com

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Josh Kroenke