Toronto Raptors vs Dwane Casey: Can coaches have revenge games?
By Chris Chiu
THE RETURN
In an interview by The Detroit News on Tuesday, Casey had the following to say about meeting his former team:
"“Nobody likes getting fired. If anybody expects you to like who fired you or be happy with that, that’s not realistic. The fans are some of the best fans in all of sports, whether is soccer, baseball or basketball. From that standpoint, there are no hard feelings, but you always have a (figurative) two-by-four on your shoulder for the person who fired you when you were doing well.”"
Enter Masai Ujiri.
As the boisterous, charismatic General Manager for the Raptors (who remembers ‘Explecative’ Brooklyn?), Ujiri noted it was a “very difficult, but necessary step” in order for the team to realize their fullest potential.
Despite so many positives that season, the organization, and many of the Raptors’ faithful were done waiting. Like Tantalus, the Raptors offseason dreams always seemed within reach, only to be snatched away from grasp time after time.
Although what Ujiri made was a business decision that he believed would benefit the Raptors in the long run — which it has so far — he still has a target on his back. This is undoubtedly compounded by rumours about friction between Casey and Ujiri near the end of their professional relationship, and how Ujiri handled the firing itself.
A HUMAN SIDE
Lastly, although players and coaches know that professional basketball is a business above all else, it is impossible to discount the human side — the emotional elements of the game both on and off the court.
People grow attached to cities and the spaces they carve out within it. They choose to start their families in the city and envision a life where their children and spouses don’t have to constantly be on the move. Change is hard for everyone.
Casey’s sons were enrolled in local schools and played soccer with Kyle Lowry‘s kids. The community and hospitality that he felt during his time here aren’t things that go away.
Next. Raptors Roundup week four. dark
He’s noted that this trip will be strictly business, but I imagine there will be complex and conflicting feelings associated with this visit, namely his love for the city and his former players mixed with the poor-taste left in his mouth from his exit with the Raptors front office. All these emotions will be brewing while he tries to lead his Detroit Pistons to a victory.