In the weeks before NBA training camps open in late September, Dwane Casey goes to training camp himself. As he prepares for his 37th year on the hardwood, ball cap on, whistle at the ready, practice plan tucked into his waistband for handy reference, the Toronto Raptors head coach goes through his own routine to get his juices flowing.
It’s the culmination of an off-season Casey spent—as ever— trying to grow as a coach. He reads incessantly— Mindset by Carol Dweck; Shoe Dog by Phil Knight; Running with the Champ by Tim Shanahan; The Smart Take from the Strong by Pete Carril and The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey were on his reading list.
For the past five years or so as part of his preparation for his return to Toronto and another NBA season, Casey has visited with Carroll, soaking up the enthusiasm and example of one of the most upbeat coaches in all of sports as he prepares Seattle for the kick-off of the NFL season.
One of the telling moments after the club was eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers was listening to player after player attest to the selflessness and team-first commitment preached by Casey that pervaded in their locker room all season.
But Casey was espousing those values long before the Raptors were winning. His visits with Carroll and the Seahawks – one of the NFL’s most successful teams over the past six seasons – confirmed that his beliefs were worth fighting for.
“[Carroll] is all about building chemistry, culture a winning culture. You really can’t control behaviour or winning until you establish that winning culture and understanding what is expected of you to win,” said Casey. “You need relentless effort, playing hard is huge. It’s a huge part of what we do. I knew that, I understood that, but at the same time seeing another sport and seeing another successful coach preach that as part of a huge part of their core values reinforces what you’re doing as a coach.”
