Raptors Close to Hiring Casey?

[jbml]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...e=NBAHeadlines

Frank, formerly coach of the New Jersey Nets, is the second candidate to be formally interviewed for the position, sources said, joining former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson.

The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press reported in Thursday's editions that the Pistons also have scheduled an interview with Milwaukee Bucks assistant Kelvin Sampson by week's end.


The Pistons have likewise requested permission from the Dallas Mavericks to interview assistant coach Dwane Casey, who was taking part Thursday in the Mavericks' championship parade in Dallas.

Casey and Frank are the two finalists for the Toronto Raptors' coaching vacancy. Both were also finalists in Houston and Golden State for jobs that went to Kevin McHale and Mark Jackson, respectively.

[Liston]

I won't be upset if they get Casey, but I think we're better off with Frank. I think Casey will be a short-term coach if we hire him, and then we'll have to go through all this again in 2-3 years.

And Frank is a 5-6 year solution?!

[youknowit]

Along that same logic then, why not give Frank credit for keeping Boston as the number one defensive team in the league. You can argue that, had it not been for the Perkins trade, they probably would have at least made the finals.

[thegreynathan]

I agree that Casey isn't the reason the Mavs won the championship, but the situation is familiar. Boston won the championship while being praised for their defense. That defensive system was brought to the team through an assistant coach. That assistant coach got a head coaching job, turned his new team into a beast, and won coach of the year. Dallas just won the championship while being praised for their defense that was mostly the brainchild of the assistant coach. I know Toronto isn't Chicago, but we've got nothing to lose and the model seems like a good one to follow. I'm all for giving Casey a shot.

[O D]

Hoping BC goes left field... Get Riley, or something... we fired Try A NO! for Try A No 4.0? Riley (PAt) Adelman ( my original assumption) Phil Jackson... Hell Ill even take acomputer generated Red Aurebach and Bill Russel as our Lead big man coach... Ill Im sayin is we could have left Try A No! if their was no clear head above shoulder candidate for this year.. We woulda kept TAN (Try A No!) struggled one more year and gotten a head above shoulders coach next year... And And Butch Carter was Niice, It was the non basketball extracurricular shit that fucked shit up.. BC go do your job, your the Hefin GM makin the bucks The way ish is breakin down with the draft, coaching, personnell its lookin like the people here at RR could give you a run for your Money, ANd that shit aint FUNNY!

[youknowit]

I totally agree. That is one example with Carlesimo, another is Kurt Rambis. Marc Ivaroni. We could go on and on of assistants getting too much credit. That's not to say that Casey won't be a good coach. But to take the Mavs championship, and place much of the reason upon Casey is foolish. I personally think Frank should be hired due to his decent wealth of experience. He is a great tactician (as he proved against the Raptors many times) and Doc Rivers has raved about him all season long. Either way, we should end up with a good coach. If Triano was more respected around the league I believe he would be in the mix for some head coaching job, but he isn't. No knock on him but I don't think his name means much in the NBA as far as head coaching goes.

[Tim W.]

Some of you guys are putting way too much weight on Dallas winning the Championship and giving credit to Casey. Carlesimo won a Championship as an assistant with the Spurs and I don't see many rushing to hire him as the Raptors head coach. I'm not saying Casey won't be a good coach, but assuming he will be because he was an assistant coach with Dallas is simply wrong.

[Raptorsss]

I won't be upset if they get Casey, but I think we're better off with Frank. I think Casey will be a short-term coach if we hire him, and then we'll have to go through all this again in 2-3 years.

Has Franks defense won an NBA championship yet? Casey's just did and hence is the more accomplished coach.

Personally, I want Butch Carter back as coach :P.

[Raptorsss]

Jay is more of a players coach, than Smitch.

We found out that we don't need a players coach, we just need someone who can coach basketball period.

[Zigus]

We fired Sam and waited 3 years to realize we needed a coach like Sam. Casey and Sam are the same type of coach. Why did we waste time with Jay.

[ebrian]

Why do you dislike Casey? I want him hired before Saturday.

I won't be upset if they get Casey, but I think we're better off with Frank. I think Casey will be a short-term coach if we hire him, and then we'll have to go through all this again in 2-3 years.

[ceez]

my first guess is biyombo. that zone D doesn't work nearly as effectively if they don't have chandler in there for shot blocking and rebounding. yes, davis could do it but you need 2 adequate defenders. dirks D has gotten a lot better over the years. bargs' is nonexistent.

[Papa Burgundy]

I like the idea of a Casey hire. Watching him in the finals was a deal sealer for me.

If assuming Casey was the coach, try to imagine which player in the draft he would like to add to this squad ... ???

-My first guess would be Kawhi Leonard. EVERY F'KIN YEAR (excuse my french) we are talking about shortcomings in our defense and rebounding - Kawhi's strengths.

It's always easy to fall in love with a player based on how he can score the ball, but that hasn't been working for us as long term winning pieces ... we need complimentary players to our scorers.

With potential returnees Bargnani, DeRozan, Bayless, Barbosa ... we have buckets full of scoring. Let's defend and rebound too!

[Employee]

Good coaching can't do anything without good ball players.

Don't be so cynical. Whether you have bad or good players you still need a good coach. Do you think the Mavs woulda won if Triano was coaching?

[Raptorsss]

Hopefully Detroit saves our asses by offering Casey a bigger contract than BC can afford..

Why do you dislike Casey? I want him hired before Saturday.