Article content continued

“We’ve had our ups and downs and bumps and grinds, but the inner core of who he is as a player and what he’s done with this franchise, he definitely deserves that. There’s legacy status for him in my opinion. Someone who has given it his all: Five-time all-star … Everything he’s given. We can say whatever we want about Kyle: He comes and he gives it his all on the court,” Ujiri said.

“We’ll always pay Kyle that respect. What he’s done for this city, for this ball club, is remarkable. You all know: We’re sitting here, there’s many of you here, you all know when we sat down here six years ago, and we would never write this script, this way, in any form of dreams. And this is where it is. I’m proud of him for that.”

Lowry’s proud too. He seemed completely at ease on Saturday morning. Relaxed, funny, honest and reflective.

“I’ve been here the longest now, I’ve been through the ups and downs and I was able to help bring a championship here, an unbelievable team … I’m not saying I’m the sole reason but I feel I have a great pride (in what was accomplished),” Lowry said.

The point guard said he’s not where he wants to be physically yet because of the long season, but will get there.

“It’s going to be a process, I’m not going to be balls to the wall, I’m a slow roller a little bit,” Lowry said, before asking a team staffer whether he could say that phrase, before adding he didn’t care either way. “I’m a slow roller,” Lowry repeated. (I’ll) make sure I’m fully ready to go when the time comes.”