'He's a legend': How Raptors senior advisor Wayne Embry is helping shape team's success

As Toronto Raptors fans revel in the wake of thatelectrifying win on Monday night, the team's senior advisoris reflecting on how far the franchise has come.

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You may have spotted Wayne Embry, 79,on the sidelineswatching intentlyas the team he's helped build continues to soar.

"That's the joy I get out of what I do,"Embry told CBC Toronto."Seeing the front office, the coaches, the players succeed. That's what drives me."

Embry brings the knowledge and wisdom gathered from a distinguishedNBA playing career that began in the late 1950s, and then a steadyrise through the ranks as ateam executivethat started in the early 1970s, to this young Toronto team.

All that came to a headon Monday night, whenthe Raptorsplayedtheirmost dramatic game of the post-season run, fightingto even up the NBA Eastern Conference final with a 105-99 victory over Cleveland at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

'He's a legend'

Point guardKyle Lowry scored 35 points, with shooting guardDeMarDeRozan adding 32. Both players credit Embryfor much of the team's success.

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"He's a legend," Lowry said."He's a good positive vibe guy. You know, he doesn't say much at all. We just know he's there and supporting us."

Embryhelped keep Lowry'sspirits high earlier in the playoffs, when the all-starwas struggling to find his shot.

"After one game I made reference to Villanova,his alma mater, which won the NCAA championship," Embry said."I said something, like,in passing,'Come on Kyle,you're from Villanova man.You guys are champions.'"

DeRozan added to the accolades, saying,"When you have knowledge like that around ... that's been around the game for much longer than you've been on this earth... you know you can learn something every single day."

Embry says it's true, he's seen a lot in his days. His career in the NBA spans nearly six decadesas a player and front office executive.

'The Wall'

"I started in Cincinnati before most people were born... it was many, many years ago," Embry said.

Embry was known as "The Wall" during his playing days, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 240 pounds. His career kicked off in 1958 with the Cincinnati Royals the team that eventually became the present-day Sacramento Kingsand he went on to play eight seasons there, the last four as team captain.

He joined the Boston Celtics in1966 andhelpedthatlegendaryteam capture the 1968 NBA championship. Heended his playing careerthe next year as the first captain in the history of the expansionMilwaukee Bucks.

As his playing dayscame to an end, Embrymade his move into the front office with the Bucks, breaking barriers as the first African American to become ageneral manager of an NBA team.

Healso has his own history with the Raptors' present playoff rivals, theCavaliers. Embry served as vice-president and general manager of the team from 1985 to 1992, before moving into an executive vice-president position with the club until 1994.

That year, Embrymade history once again, becoming the first African American NBA team president, heading up the Cavs.

Hemovedto Toronto to work as a consultant, joining the Raptors franchise in June of 2004 as a senior advisor.

"Rob Babcockwas named general manager of Toronto and they thought they needed some guidance or someone with experience," Embry said.

"I've been here 12 years, believe it or not...It seems like just yesterday that I came and I've enjoyed every bit of it."

Solidifying success

From the day he arrived in the city, Embry said his goal was clear.

"I'm committed to the hard work to build what needs to be built and that's of course a championship team," Embry said.

Embryhas playeda big part intaking ashaky franchisethat's seen a lot of turmoil and turning it into a solid NBA organization,including helping bringin general manager Masai Ujiriand coach Dwane Casey.

Embry also made sure the team didn't lose hope after losing the first two games against Cleveland in the post-season, even though much of the basketball worldcountedthe team out.

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"First team to four," Embry said. "Still gotta win four games. No matter how you get there, you still gotta win four games."