Embry speaks to MLSE board, "weighing options" (Pg. 8)

[david5773]

edit: Holly article added, more on links
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2012 ... o_raptors/

The vibe at the Air Canada Centre on Thursday morning after the conclusion of the Toronto Raptors practice was an odd one. With the team sitting at 4-19, there is a feeling that something is about to happen. Tension was in the air and words were carefully considered before being spoken.

According to multiple sources, a meeting of the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment board took place on Thursday to discuss the state of the team.

It remains unknown what was discussed, who called it or whether the meeting was pre-scheduled. One team source described it as "a quick update" and that it involved team President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo giving the board a briefing on where the team currently stands.

With both coach Dwane Casey and general manager Bryan Colangelo taking heat over the Raptors disappointing start, some veteran Raptors players voiced their support for Casey and the job he has done with the team through their rough start to this season.

DeRozan would prefer that the pace of change slowed dramatically, especially when it comes to Casey.

“It’s important because it’s tough going coach to coach,” DeRozan said. “It was tough last year. Even though we did well on the defensive end, you still struggle at parts. You’re still learning. [Casey] is definitely good for us.”

"He’s definitely been on us, but one thing he has been trying to [do is] keep us positive out of everything" DeRozan said. “It’s easy to do whatever, to throw in the towel and not still be able to fight. Like [Wednesday night against Brooklyn], we had every excuse in the world. We could have went out and laid down, but [we did not]. Just keeping us positive and keeping us working hard.”

Casey was at the centre of a team meeting after last Friday’s blowout loss in Utah.
“A lot was said between us and only we can say that to each other,” DeRozan said. “Other times when you have meetings it’s kind of a team meeting or something, that’s self explanatory. What we had in Utah, that was between us, like a family.”

That DeRozan still has faith and trust in his coach is clear. Little else is.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/12/ ... um=twitter

Michael Grange ‏@michaelgrange
Was a case of ownership getting up to speed on state of team after tough start. Not a formal review for Colangelo. #RTZ #NBA

Michael Grange ‏@michaelgrange
Talking to several sources, timing of meeting with MLSE board coincided with previously scheduled holiday function. #RTZ

[JunkYardSubs]

Hmmm, well it really doesn't matter that much if Demar doesn't like it. Casey has shown to be completely incompetent this season. Just because hes being out-dumbed by BC doesn't mean he shouldn't go.

[david5773]

Hmmm, well it really doesn't matter that much if Demar doesn't like it. Casey has shown to be completely incompetent this season. Just because hes being out-dumbed by BC doesn't mean he shouldn't go.

I think you forgot that the last coach who benched Bargnani got canned.

[torontosfynest]

Last time I'll say this...Coach is not the problem. Talent wins in this league. If we had Lebron James, Casey would be God...word to Mike Brown.

[Choker]

Ed Davis is laughing somewhere.

[dTox]

A coach that doesn't hold players accountable after a 4-19 start, and only stays positive, of course the players would want him here!

[gerrit4]

Casey hasn't looked like a great coach this year at all, but I think he could make a Doc Rivers turnaround with a good roster.

[Beardman]

I come to the site to see if there are new trade rumors or firings and i'm disappointed every time. With this news especially.

But on the other hand im sure Casey would do well if he had enough talent to work with.

[JunkYardSubs]

A coach that doesn't hold players accountable after a 4-19 start, and only stays positive, of course the players would want him here!

[pookeo9]

I think DD is just trying to be nice. Maybe off the court Casey is a good person, who wants to make everyone feel at home and they don't want him to leave. If that's the case then I can understand why he doesn't want him fired. However on the court is a different story. He might've been effective last year, but this year is like we went back to square one. And of course, Casey is part of that reason, whether it's direct or indirect. And for the love of god his excuses when we lose, are ridiculous. I mean didn't he blame altitude on a loss for one of our past games? Just shows you he isn't fit to be a big league coach IMO.

[Coach Smiley]

if there's going to be a new GM there's likely going to be a new coach as well, GMs typically want to bring in their own guy, when they don't you get the Smitch/BC situation, the neverending musical chairs of coaching for this team is extremely unfortunate and the complete opposite of the winning culture, but if a new GM comes in he's going to want to burn it to the ground that's just the way it is

[witnessraps]

Aaron Gray, John Lucas played too much yesterday. What I don't like about Dwyane is he refuses to play guys heavy minutes which should've basically happened with Jonas yesterday. Our bench gets us into holes and there's no timeouts and no substitutions.

[Komodo]

A coach that doesn't hold players accountable after a 4-19 start, and only stays positive, of course the players would want him here!

This.

[DHK]

I have faith in Casey and his philosophy/game plan and his execution sans the 2 PG lineup when you have Ross/Derozan as SGs.

Casey is a reputable coach. He may have some bothersome trends and a preference for vets rather than rookies (see JVG, Lawrence Frank's detroit run), however he is passionate about the game and doing all he can to pull the team together.
He has not received a good product for a real evaluation.
Last year was the lock out year, and chaotic.
This year, the Raptors are a greater mess and even more chaotic than before.
His use of Ross, has been fantastic, running backdoor screens, cuts to get him fantastic looks, same with Derozan.
He is doing all he can on the defensive floor as well but the chemistry isn't there, and that becomes more apparent with the same miscommunication, laziness, and players not doing what they were assigned to do and taking unecessary risks in the system.

I will be genuinely be irritated if Casey is fired, because he is one of our best assets moving forward.

[lacokanostra]

If Casey had the right personnel to execute his defensive schemes then maybe we would see real results. Few coaches can make good use of Bargnani's "defense" and "rebounding", and then create a solid defensive culture. With that being said, Casey and BC are still incompetent for not holding Bargnani accountable, rather they hold him on a pedestal expecting that to produce new results.