Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in the fourth quarter at Pepsi Center. The Raptors defeated the Nuggets 116-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

As we look ahead to the new Raptors season, there’s some fresh talent challenging the established players.

With the #22 selection of the 2011 NBA draft, the Denver Nuggets chose Kenneth Faried, an undersized power forward out of Morehead State. Most analysts considered this pick something a of a “reach”, as Faried was projected by many websites as a second-rounder.

The Nuggets have never had reason to regret their choice. Faried has acquired a wonderful nickname “The Manimal” for his relentless motion and fierce work on the boards. He’s an Energizer Bunny of a player, always cutting or screening or slashing to the hoop – he seems to never stop. He reminds me of Richard Hamilton, who was an essential contributor to the excellent Detroit Pistons teams of a decade or so past.

Faried’s game has severe limitations; there’s a reason he was still available at #22. But non-household names like Derrick Williams, Jan Vesely, Jimmer Fredette and Nolan Smith all were drafted ahead of (in some cases far ahead – Williams was #2 and Vesely was #7) Faried. He’s still around and contributing.

With the #27 selection of the 2016 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors selected a Cameroonian, Pascal Siakam, an undersized power forward out of New Mexico State. This choice was also downplayed as a reach and a mistake, given the fact several surefire(?) early picks, like Skal Labissiere and Deyonta Davis, were still on the board.

This is all mildly interesting, Brian, but so what? Fair enough…who made both of these picks? None other than Masai Ujiri, who was Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Denver Nuggets (how do you get a title like that on a business card?) and is now the General Manager of the Raptors.

From what precious little film I’ve seen of Pascal Siakam, he’s in the Faried mould, a smallish power forward who tries to make up in hustle what he lacks in size.

I’m encouraged by the fact Masai’s late picks are of a type, and seem to work out. Consider his selection the following year for Denver. At #20, he chose Evan Fournier, an all-but-unknown small forward from France. He’s better known now; he just signed a monster deal with the Orlando Magic.

Fournier is another waterbug type, and a deadly shooter.

There’s the picture folks: if Masai has a late pick he’s going to take a high-motor player, no matter what part of the world the player is from. Of the six first-round picks he’s made as GM of two teams, four have been internationals (Fournier, Caboclo, Poeltl, Siakam) and only two Americans (Faried & Delon Wright). I doubt that’s ever happened before in the NBA’s history.

Our earlier pick, Jakob Poeltl, is an outlier. Masai has never enjoyed such a high number (#9) in a draft. There’s no way to know how our new centre is going to adjust to the ceaseless demands of the NBA, but when in doubt, cross your fingers and repeat after me: In Masai we trust.