Is it me, or is it very quiet on the Raptors front?
Like the calm before the storm, it probably means something is about to happen. President and general manager Bryan Colangelo said in an ideal world he would like to have a coach in place before the draft on June 23rd and with the dust pretty much settled after the NBA Finals, things have been conspicuously calm.
One of the candidates Toronto has been considering, Dallas assistant Dwane Casey, is who I think will eventually get the job.
It is said that Casey always interviews well and any guy that can help instil a defensive mindset into a team deserves a chance, or in this case, another chance to be a head coach.
Winning the NBA title was an impressive accomplishment when you look at the Mavericks’ lineup this past season.
Yes they had a defensive mindset, but it was done more with grit, determination and teamwork than anything else. It is the mantra in this era of the NBA—with the rules forbidding hand checks—that you have to play defence as a team.
So let’s see… Dallas trots out this group with one of the oldest players in the league in Jason Kidd, a good but not nearly as young and agile as he once was, Shawn Marion with Dirk Nowitzki, an offensive wizard that did not always pay close attention to defence. They did have Tyson Chandler to anchor it all, but like I said, give Casey, and Rick Carlisle for that matter, some credit for making it a priority.
The key for Casey will be holding players accountable the way the coaching staff did in Dallas.
The Raptors have always talked about playing better defence but until players understand it’s a priority and actually pay a price with regard to court time when they shirk their defensive responsibilities, nothing will happen.
During the NBA Finals when Casey’s name was brought up with the head coaching vacancy in Toronto, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he never wants to lose anyone good, but he also stated that he would never stand in the way of someone’s opportunity.
It would be nice to see Casey get another shot and the organization get players that fit what he wants to do defensively and then exercise some patience.
It’s calm now, but with a top five pick and the naming of a new coach on the horizon, it just seems like there will be plenty to talk about very soon.
