Toronto Raptors hire
Johnny Davis and Tom Sterner as assistant coaches - NBA Update
It has been just a week since the new head coach of Toronto Raptors Dwane Casey has taken charge and he is already done recruiting the coaching staff. There are two new additions to the assistant coaching staff, Johnny Davis and
Tom Sterner.
Davis is bringing tones of coaching experience with him to the Raptors and will be the leading assistant coach of the side. As a player Davis had also made his mark and won two gold medals with the Pan-American team.
Davis started his coaching career with the Philadelphia 76ers back in 1996 and stayed with them for only one season. After five years, Davis joined Orlando Magic in 2003 and remained with the franchise for almost two seasons. During
his tenure with the Magic, Davis was voted as the coach of the month.
In 2007, Memphis Grizzlies signed Davis as their assistant under head coach Marc Iavaroni. However, Marc was fired in 2009, after which Davis was handed over the responsibility of the interim coach, before Lionel Hollins from the
Portland Trail Blazers, was declared the new coach of the side.
Tom on the other hand, has served as a scout and assistant coach for a very long time. Sterner also has an impressive resume. He has spent most of his career with the Magic as an assistant (11 seasons). Prior to joining the Raptors,
Sterner served with the Sixers. He has also coached Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks.
The Raptors have also retained three coaches (Scott Roth, Eric Hughes and Micah Nori) from the previous head coach Jay Triano‘s staff, who was fired after a poor performance at the start of this month. Toronto finished 2010-11
regular-season at the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference with a 22-60 record and Toronto wanted somebody who can preach defense. Out of the three coaches Roth, who also has international coaching experience, had an interview with the Los Angeles
Lakers new head coach Mike Brown for the associate post.
Casey is famous for his defensive insight and tactics. Prior to his joining the Dallas Mavericks were also struggling defensively, but under his watch they matured into a well knitted defensive unit and chokes the offensive battery
of Miami Heat to land their first ever NBA Championship last season.
The veteran coach has already outlined his strategy, saying, "Defensively, I'm going to be a hands-on control freak, so to speak. Offensively, I'm going to trust and give them freedom."
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