Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri addresses the media to discuss the NBA's hiatus and more

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For the first time since the NBA suspended its play on March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri addressed the media to speak on the matter.

On Wednesday, April 1, Ujiri answered questions during a conference call with some media members, touching on a wide range of topics regarding the state of the NBA as well as the Raptors.

Below, you can find some of the more noteworthy quotes from the call.

On everyone being away from each other at the moment.

"Just being away from everything you do, it's been tough on everybody. But this is the time for us to rally, to be together, to be innovative and to figure out a way forward ... I know six or seven months ago we brought the world together in a really special way. Now, I think it's a time to stick together by staying apart. This is the opposite of the parade."

On if there have been talks of contract extensions for head coach Nick Nurse or the players,

"No, to be fair, It's not where our minds are at right now. This is a crucial time for the world. Those things will come.

"It's fine, though, it's honestly like the last thing on my mind. I miss the game, man. I miss basketball. I'm concerned for my team, my family, for the world, I'm concerned about this pandemic and how we beat it. We have to win this one. In the business of basketball, (contract extensions) are the last (concern)."

On coronavirus expert Dr. Fauci,

"I’m basically stalking Dr. Fauci like he’s the next NBA draft pick."

On the possibility of the season resuming,

"I’m hoping. That’s all of our hope... the way we salvage the NBA season is by abiding by the rules and doing everything we have to do as people, as a community, everything we possibly can. This is not about the NBA, it’s about the whole world.

"This is global... We can plan the NBA all we want but something is going to stall that if we're not playing by the rules."

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