Coach of the Year: Making the Case for Dwane Casey

[Northface82]

For the record, I was one of the biggest Casey haters you will ever meet.
But man oh man, I will give respect where its due.

I can't help but think Casey should be top 3 running for COTY.
Last year he was a nominee, but the League wasn't sure if last season's success was a fluke or not.
This year, he's been on point.

The award usually goes to the Coach that makes the biggest difference to his team.

The Facts:
-Established a Winning Culture.
-The players and Masai have 100% commitment and respect to/for him.
-Turned Kyle into the mature Leader we needed.
-Although JV and Ross haven't taken that "big step to the next level", they are definitely getting better each year.
-Team Chemistry.
-Playing full 4 quarters, not to mention closing out games well in the 4th.
-Utilizing his bench depth efficiently, and establishing a solid 2nd unit.
-Establishing a Top 5 Defensive Juggernaut.
-"No Days Off" mentality, where the boys show up ready every night.
-Smart defensive matchups. Hayes on Gasol was brilliant!
-Last but not least.. get this team right back in the game when we are down a huge deficit.

What will it take to get there, and what needs improvement:
-Successfully coach Kyle and Demar into All Star status. Possibly coach Lou into the 6th MOTY.
-Establish more offensive plays instead of the usual PnR, ISO, etc.
-Get JV to the next level. <--- I think this is the biggest point that needs to be emphasized.
-Top #1 or #2 seed.

Who Casey is up against (in my opinion):
-Pop.
-Thibs.
-Kerr.
-Joerger. (Grizzlies)
-Stotts. (Portland)

The Bottom Line:
"When the team is winning, the players get respect. When the team loses... its on the Coach."
Dwane Casey deserves a lot more credit for the Raptors success.
The players AND Masai have bought into his coaching mentality and philosophy, and we should too.


Casey making it Rain on em ____


Casey reacting to God knows what.


Casey sonning Demar, after a buzzer beater last season.
"Demar is our guy, come hell or high waters".


Some of that "OVO-Casey" Connection.


Do I even need to caption this? lol.

So lets all cut the man some slack and appreciate what he brings to this team.
Now... get us to the ECF, Coach!

[Left Side Drive]

He definitely gets a little too much hate. No way a team can have that kind of record and avg. point differential with bad coaching and staff. It takes discipline and heart to consistently beat opponents in the fourth quarter too. His defensive schemes against Cleveland last night were good too. LeBron pretty much gave up when he saw how much pressure we were putting on him.

[Raps Maniac]

I'll reserve my judgement till I see how he is during playoffs.

[hankscorpioLA]

I'll reserve my judgement till I see how he is during playoffs.

Like all other NBA awards, Coach of the Year is based on regular season performance and is voted on before the playoffs begin.

[Raps Maniac]

I'll reserve my judgement till I see how he is during playoffs.

Like all other NBA awards, Coach of the Year is based on regular season performance and is voted on before the playoffs begin.

I know that and its unfortunate. I think the real test would be to see if he can make the right adjustments during a course of multiple games against one team.

[DonYon]

Of course any rational raptors fan (do they exist?) is going to support him receiving the award, because it'll be a reflection of the success we have this season. You can be happy about him getting the award and still have critical opinions about his coaching.

[Indeed]

I will reserve my judgement when there is a close game. As the biggest issue I have is timeout play.

[Northface82]

I will reserve my judgement when there is a close game. As the biggest issue I have is timeout play.

Memphis game a few days ago?! Come on now.

[TheDunc]

Casey definitely deserves a lot of credit, his teams never give up and that's a reflection of the coach. He can still improve but hes doing a hell of a job right now

[mrdressup]

He could easily win it. One of the impressive things about him is that he understands how to surround the team with great narratives that end up getting traction. All the stuff we have repeatedly heard about "pounding the rock", "making them feel us on defense", "taking their best punch and punching back" and "it's a process", to name but a few, are actually examples of the craft of forging an identity (a picture of one's self in one's mind). It's the very same thing that countries do to and that corporations do. He seems to understand very well the psychological nature of creating perceptions from within and he's been patient, likeable, positive and endearing to his players.

Go around the league and you will only find praise for him as a man and as a coach. Masai is a shrewd calculating cat and he's also been very impressed with our coach's approach.

[NinjaBro]

I'm a Casey hater but I gotta give the man his due. Casey for COY and Masai for EOY

[GoSu]

I would simply rename the "COTY award" to "Pop's award" and give it every year to.. well you can try to guess.

[VinBaker6]

Casey is a good coach, nuff said.

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[Northface82]

I'm a Casey hater but I gotta give the man his due. Casey for COY and Masai for EOY

Now we talking!!

[TheDunc]

I will reserve my judgement when there is a close game. As the biggest issue I have is timeout play.

That's stupid logic, out of timeout plays is only one aspect of coaching and probably Caseys biggest weakness but if the raptors can avoid close games and win then you wont give Casey the credit he deserves? This board sometimes

Casey's team compete every single game and that's something that should be applauded. Casey not winning COY because he messed up on some out of timeout play is asinine. Id rather have a coach who's team comes out and plays every night then a coach who can draw up a good out of bounds play.

[JV4MVP]

Oh lawd, I can't stand Casey. Maybe players > coach

We all know GM Phil Jackson is really 'coaching' the Knicks and they are still terrible

[NinjaBro]

I'm a Casey hater but I gotta give the man his due. Casey for COY and Masai for EOY

Now we talking!!

Early in the season Masai should be the frontrunner for EOY. Next to the Cavs we had the best offseason imo, re-signed all our key guys and keeping our core together while they all had offers elsewhere. Then making some awesome pickups and trades in Lou and JJ. The Cavs are struggling right now so Masai should get the nod if this keeps up.

[LLJ]

COTY award is often a curse.

[FirstInkTDot]

He should be under consideration for top 3.

[neurotik]

So...just to sum up what I've gathered reading the threads so far this week; Kyle will win MVP, Lou will win sixth man of the year, and Casey will win Coach of the Year.