Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Why Dwane Casey is the Perfect Fit for the Detroit Pistons

By Go Paolo

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 7: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 7, 2018 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 7: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 7, 2018 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey could soon be coaching the Detroit Pistons, and he couldn’t be a better fit for the team.

After being unceremoniously fired from the Toronto Raptors, Dwane Casey could be taking his talents to Motown, as he currently sits as the favourite to land the Detroit Pistons’ head coaching job.

Casey was Toronto’s winningest head coach, guiding the Raptors to a 320-238 record, including three consecutive 50-win seasons and four division titles. The team peaked this season when Casey guided them to 59-wins, only to have it end after getting swept in the playoffs by LeBron James and the Cavaliers for the second straight time.

The Raptors let him go despite all the goodwill he built. But one team’s trash is another team’s treasure, and Casey finds himself with a promising new opportunity. A move to Detroit will be both good for him and the Pistons franchise.

Dwane Casey will be the Yin to Blake Griffin‘s Yang

He might not be the master planner that Gregg Popovich or Phil Jackson was, but Dwane Casey is a great coach at developing talent.

Casey maximized the potential of players like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan and turned a Raptors team full of rookies and sophomores into one of the NBA’s best teams.

Known as a player’s coach, Casey’s placid demeanour will contrast well with Blake Griffin’s fiery attitude. The new Pistons franchise player has the makeup of a superstar and needs a coach who will back him up and adjust to his playing style.

"“I know one thing, that Blake Griffin is a star in this league. I haven’t coached him but, again, his abilities, his IQ is off the charts.” ~ Dwane Casey"

Casey gets a proven All-Star with Griffin, unlike Lowry and DeRozan who became All-Stars while under his tenure. Griffin was a five-time All-Star from 2011 to 2015. Griffin is in his prime at 29, but only played an average of 51  games in the last three seasons due to injuries.

The onus will be for Casey to get Griffin back to his 2013-14 form where he averaged a career-best 24.1 points-per-game. Casey may even implement an offensive scheme around Griffin’s playmaking.

With help from the training staff and a bit of luck, he’ll assuage whatever concerns Griffin has and do whatever it takes to ensure him the Pistons are his team.

Dwane Casey Will Bring out the Best out of the Pistons

When Casey took over in Toronto, the Raptors were coming off a 22-win season with Andrea Bargnani as their best player. Casey patiently oversaw a team that experienced drastic roster overhauls over the next two seasons.

More from Raptors Rapture

By his third season, Casey coached the Raptors to a franchise-best record and a division title with  DeRozan, Lowry, and Valanciunas as his go-to players. Casey made the Raptors a sum greater than their parts for years to come.

The Pistons finished with a 39-43 record in 2018 and have two All-Stars in Griffin and Andre Drummond. They have a team filled with veterans who don’t need much development but guidance.

Players like Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith are wily guards who could make or break the Pistons’ offence, while lottery picks Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard have yet to fulfill their potential. Casey gets hard-earned minutes from both stars and role players, but he will be tested with this mixed group looking for a new identity.

Like his tenure in Toronto, the first few games will be rough, but Casey will maintain a unified locker room and bring a sense of calm even around the volatile Griffin.

Next: Nurse vs Messina: Who is right for the Raptors

Casey’s versatility and affability should win over the people that matter. With a few roster tweaks during and after the season, the Detroit Pistons, with Dwane Casey as their head coach, could soon be on the road back to contention.

Home/Raptors News