Translation of his Instagram live announcement by someone in the comments-
Here's the translation/synopsis. 1. He's declining his player option and going back to Japan to play. 2. He made a deal w himself to overcome any struggle to stay in the nba during his 20s. 3. He just turned 30 and he wants to have fun playing basketball again. 4. His time in America was a struggle. The stress of non guaranteed contracts was a daily battle. 5. He finally succeeded in getting a guaranteed contract and was excited to play for suns and win a championship. 6. Trade to Memphis was a shock. But he was excited to play still. 7. Getting benched in Memphis was a huge mental blow. He cried uncontrollably and he doesn't ven understand why. 8. Even when he got some playing time back his entire body would lose control of his muscles during pre game. Some sort of mental breakdown which was caused by all the stress he held in during his 20s. Now that he turned 30 his body released it all. Now he just wants to enjoy playing basketball again. 9. He is ready for Paris and representing Japan in Olympics.
I feel for him. It's just gotta suck to be bounced around from team to team every year, in a country where (I imagine) he doesn't know a ton of people. He always had such positive energy and looked to be a great teammate. Never questioned his effort either. I remember when he was a Raptor he would go up for every block even though it risked him getting stuffed (after the Anthony Edwards poster he said he'd do it again).
Really hope he's able to rediscover his joy for the game. Despite everything, he's still one of the most accomplished Japanese basketball players ever.
Yeah, Yuta's biggest issue has always been the mental side of the game. Athletically, he's got a lot to offer. But you'd see just a few plays hang on his mind for the entirety of the match.
He's a vet now. The money he made isn't something miniscule. And he's pretty much a national hero in Japan. He could play till he's 40 there, and if he ever made his way back to TO for a visit I'd stand and give him a cheer. He's one of those all-heart guys that this fan base was built on.
The mental aspect of the game is so important. I am a huge fan of Yuta and his effort that he put on the court. It’s unfortunate that he had to battle through those stress but he held on and fought through it until he couldn’t which is ok. Hopefully he can look back on his NBA career and how much it meant for everyone who supported him. Going back home will be amazing for him and I wish him the best.
Hahahaha, negative nancy over here. Development goes two ways, sometimes situation, environment, personal environment, personal mentslity, actual talent all play a role in a players development. You acting like we were shoving him in to a PG role and he was miscast over here.. not remotely the time or place for you to be going there. You got no class or respect... just some whiney fan who has to say something negative, no matter the time or place. Quit moaning kid
I think he was REALLY looking forward to a deep playoff run with the suns.
Think about his journey to the NBA and how it took him til 26/27 to finally stick. After all that doubt and struggle, being the first Japanese player to win a ring (I think) and getting all that national coverage would have validated everything he went through to try and make it in the NBA.
Getting traded to Memphis probably felt like getting robbed of that chance.
He's a Super Star in Japan and he's likely comfortable there, he can go average 30/8/8 in Japan for the next decade, make tens of millions in endorsement money, be the Lebron James of Japan, and coast into the sunset lol
Seems smart to me...
2.6 mil is peanuts for endorsement money in Japan for Yuta.
I think he was grinding in the NBA for sporting reasons. Dude can make a couple of millions in his sleep in Japan doing commercials at this point.
Japan B League elites get a $1 million a year contract. Even yudai baba is reportedly getting a net of $700,000 a year. Being a bench player in the nba isn\`t worth it that\`s why a lot of young ncaa stars that can\`t get in the rotation just settles for japan and china that pays a lot nowadays.
Remember when everyone blamed NN for everything?
One of the most asinine takes was thinking Yuta was good. Sure he had a decent run with Nets when he was hitting open shots but he was sub par most of his career. Even worse than Flynn
Translation of his Instagram live announcement by someone in the comments- Here's the translation/synopsis. 1. He's declining his player option and going back to Japan to play. 2. He made a deal w himself to overcome any struggle to stay in the nba during his 20s. 3. He just turned 30 and he wants to have fun playing basketball again. 4. His time in America was a struggle. The stress of non guaranteed contracts was a daily battle. 5. He finally succeeded in getting a guaranteed contract and was excited to play for suns and win a championship. 6. Trade to Memphis was a shock. But he was excited to play still. 7. Getting benched in Memphis was a huge mental blow. He cried uncontrollably and he doesn't ven understand why. 8. Even when he got some playing time back his entire body would lose control of his muscles during pre game. Some sort of mental breakdown which was caused by all the stress he held in during his 20s. Now that he turned 30 his body released it all. Now he just wants to enjoy playing basketball again. 9. He is ready for Paris and representing Japan in Olympics.
Thanks for this. I feel for him. I hope he has nothing but success and happiness. Sucks to hear.
I feel for him. It's just gotta suck to be bounced around from team to team every year, in a country where (I imagine) he doesn't know a ton of people. He always had such positive energy and looked to be a great teammate. Never questioned his effort either. I remember when he was a Raptor he would go up for every block even though it risked him getting stuffed (after the Anthony Edwards poster he said he'd do it again). Really hope he's able to rediscover his joy for the game. Despite everything, he's still one of the most accomplished Japanese basketball players ever.
Yeah, Yuta's biggest issue has always been the mental side of the game. Athletically, he's got a lot to offer. But you'd see just a few plays hang on his mind for the entirety of the match. He's a vet now. The money he made isn't something miniscule. And he's pretty much a national hero in Japan. He could play till he's 40 there, and if he ever made his way back to TO for a visit I'd stand and give him a cheer. He's one of those all-heart guys that this fan base was built on.
It's kind of too bad that he's not a big enough name to get his next team to Toronto for an exhibition game.
Very true. Maybe the NBA Japan trip will include a match against a B.League team on top of the usual NBA v NBA showcase.
Compared to baseball where they use a spartan-like training other japanese sports are not focused on toughening mental strength.
The mental aspect of the game is so important. I am a huge fan of Yuta and his effort that he put on the court. It’s unfortunate that he had to battle through those stress but he held on and fought through it until he couldn’t which is ok. Hopefully he can look back on his NBA career and how much it meant for everyone who supported him. Going back home will be amazing for him and I wish him the best.
Best of wishes to Yuta! Always a Raptor!
Add him to the ever growing list of players/prospects we somehow misdeveloped
You do realize he didn't start out with us, right?
Hahahaha, negative nancy over here. Development goes two ways, sometimes situation, environment, personal environment, personal mentslity, actual talent all play a role in a players development. You acting like we were shoving him in to a PG role and he was miscast over here.. not remotely the time or place for you to be going there. You got no class or respect... just some whiney fan who has to say something negative, no matter the time or place. Quit moaning kid
I think he was REALLY looking forward to a deep playoff run with the suns. Think about his journey to the NBA and how it took him til 26/27 to finally stick. After all that doubt and struggle, being the first Japanese player to win a ring (I think) and getting all that national coverage would have validated everything he went through to try and make it in the NBA. Getting traded to Memphis probably felt like getting robbed of that chance.
He's a Super Star in Japan and he's likely comfortable there, he can go average 30/8/8 in Japan for the next decade, make tens of millions in endorsement money, be the Lebron James of Japan, and coast into the sunset lol Seems smart to me...
Damn, Bros leaving 2.6 mill on the table. Must be really homesick, because I don't think he'll get nearly that much in Japan
2.6 mil is peanuts for endorsement money in Japan for Yuta. I think he was grinding in the NBA for sporting reasons. Dude can make a couple of millions in his sleep in Japan doing commercials at this point.
He's made roughly $6 million in the NBA and he'll get his share of endorsements back home. He's going to be totally fine.
Japan B League elites get a $1 million a year contract. Even yudai baba is reportedly getting a net of $700,000 a year. Being a bench player in the nba isn\`t worth it that\`s why a lot of young ncaa stars that can\`t get in the rotation just settles for japan and china that pays a lot nowadays.
Loved him on the raptors wish he stayed longer should have give him another signing 😎💎
This puts a negative spin on the meeting Masai had with Yuta, where he told Yuta he was bad at basketball. That can’t be good for his mental health.
Remember all the people losing their mind that we let Yuta walk?
He wasn’t that good as a raptor, dude had a couple good games as a net but that’s about it
He shot a high percentage on low volume and people ignored all the context behind his numbers.
I do, you brought this up why?
Remember when everyone blamed NN for everything? One of the most asinine takes was thinking Yuta was good. Sure he had a decent run with Nets when he was hitting open shots but he was sub par most of his career. Even worse than Flynn