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Raptors coaches: get ready for off-season churn

By Brian Boake

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors is seen at the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League game on July 13, 2017 at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors is seen at the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League game on July 13, 2017 at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Raptors have assembled a talented group of assistant coaches, and their contributions are getting noticed around the NBA. Can we keep them all in The North?

The Toronto Raptors are poised to enter the post-season with a team whose chances of making a deep run have never been brighter. The players best taken advantage of this opportunity, because the stars aren’t likely to be so well aligned over the next few years. For one thing, Eastern Conference teams are growing ever more powerful, which is a topic for another time. For another, we may soon be short of coaches.

In an interesting post recently, Yahoo Sports published the results of a survey they undertook with NBA executives. They were asked their opinion on who was most ready to take over the head coaching reins of the many NBA teams in need of fresh blood. Memphis, Sacramento, Charlotte, Detroit, Orlando, Phoenix, the Knicks and the Clippers all appear ready for a change.

The name most commonly offered was Nick Nurse (16 votes!), who’s been beside Dwane Casey since 2013.

TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 4: Rex Kalamian and Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 4, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 4: Rex Kalamian and Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 4, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Masai gets good people

One hallmark of highly successful people in senior positions is their ability to attract and retain capable individuals. Raptors President & GM Masai Ujiri brought with him from Denver Jeff Weltman, who became the #2 executive in Toronto. He was lured away to become Masai’s peer as head of the Orlando Magic.

Dumping the head coach is a common gambit undertaken by new GMs. However, Masai decided to keep incumbent coach Casey, who shares his boss’ skill with subordinates.

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Nurse, given credit for modernerizing the Raptors offense this season, wasn’t the only vote-getter among Toronto’s suits. Jerry Stackhouse received 3 votes, which doesn’t seem noteworthy until we consider that he has the least coaching experience of any of those named. He enjoyed an illustrious playing career, but lots of those guys have washed out as coaches. Jerry was a second-tier coach with the Raptors, and has enjoyed impeccable results leading the Raptors 905.

Rex Kalamian is another Casey man who received votes. He’s been a career assistant, and is doing great work with the Raptors defense.

A tough job

I’ve talked privately with Nick Nurse. He’s exactly as he appears to be on TV; smart, business-like and under control. The life of an NBA head coach brings enough stress to break people down. Cleveland’s Tyronn Lue and Charlotte’s Steve Clifford have both taken medical leaves this season. Nick doesn’t give off the “I’m an inch away from screaming!” vibe, which leads me to believe he could manage the incessant grind.

The only downside of hiring excellent people is the fact they are targets of other teams who may be in a better position to offer bright, shiny objects like more money, a Head Coach job, etc. It’s not a stretch to note how this phenomenon extends to players. I’ve written before about the difficulties the Raptors will have in retaining Fred VanVleet. He was an undrafted nobody who has turned himself into a terrific player and is about to become wealthy as a result.

The Raptors have morphed into one of the league’s best organizations. Masai’s and Dwane’s people aren’t going to stick around forever. They are too highly regarded. The best we can hope for is that the next generation (many of whom are women, also a topic for another day) of Raptors coaches are ready for the challenge of building San Antonio North.

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