Toronto Raptors hire Dwane Casey as their new head coach: NBA Update
On Tuesday, the Toronto Raptors appointed 54 year old Dwane Casey as their new head coach. Casey has been the assistant coach of Dallas Mavericks for some time and nine days after helping the Mavericks clinch their first ever NBA
title, he has taken the responsibilities to marshal the Raptors.
The top priority for Casey will be to instil a robust defensive system in his new franchise, much like the one which helped the Mavericks fend off the most lethal offensive power house in the league, the Miami Heat, in the NBA
Finals.
Toronto missed the post-season trip for the third successive year last season. They have been a terrible side on defence and it has been the major reason of their recent struggles. The new coach, although inexperienced is determined
to change all that.
"I don't know a lot about of hockey. I know I'll learn about it. But we spliced in those guys checking players up into the window, into the boards and that type of thing and that's the way we want to play. We want to make sure
people feel us when they cut through the lane. And that's a mindset, and that's having a disposition - a bad disposition - when people come through your paint."
With the guidance of Casey in the next season, the Toronto Raptors will definitely receive a new defensive identity. Casey is the best man for the job and can teach the team how to guard the opponent. However it is his approach
towards preaching that makes him different,
"Defensively, I'm going to be a hands-on control freak, so to speak. Offensively, I'm going to trust and give them freedom."
Even with the departure of Chris Bosh and a injury plagued roster, the Raps did not have major problem on the offense and as such they have got a good backup for every position.
Dwane will be the eighth coach for the Raptors. He has been assisting the Seattle Supersonic, the now Oklahoma City Thunder for 11 seasons. The core of Toronto’s youthful talent DeMar DeRozan, Andrea Bargnani, and Jerryd Bayless
will be having a valuable opportunity to improve themselves as team players under the experience of Casey.
Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is believed to have played a vital role in sending Dwane to the Raptors. Carlisle called the general manager of Toronto Bryan Colangelo after the team won the championship and convinced him
to hire Casey.
At the moment, the Toronto Raptors have their sights on the Thursday’s NBA draft in which they have the fifth pick overall. Casey has decided to step back from the draft as he believes that the scouting department can make the
best decision in this regard.
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