The timing of the firing was interesting, to say the least. Two days after he was allowed to conduct a season-ending news conference to discuss the team’s accomplishments, and playoff meltdown against the Cavaliers, Dwane Casey was fired as coach of the Raptors on Friday.
There were going to be casualties. The Raptors didn’t compete for most of the series against the Cavaliers. They blew Game 1 at home, then got blown out in Game 2. They rallied to tie Game 3, only to allow LeBron James to dribble coast-to-coast against one defender and flip a bank shot off the glass at the buzzer.
Still reeling, the Raptors lost Game 4 by 35 points, their 10th consecutive playoff loss to the Cavaliers. Toronto was essentially done after Game 1. It’s bizarre that DeMar DeRozan can look so dominant against the Celtics, but so lost against the Cavaliers.
He shot 43.9 percent in the series, watched the Game 3 comeback from the bench, and missed all nine of his 3-point attempts in the series. Guard Kyle Lowry actually had a decent series statistically, but it didn’t mean much in crunch time. It wasn’t that the Raptors weren’t good enough to play with the Cavaliers, they lacked the heart and competitiveness to play with the Cavaliers, especially James, who has made a habit of ripping out opponents’ hearts.
Casey is one of the nicest men in the league. He is a total gentleman. He calls reporters by their first names. He addresses every question with respect and thought. He sported a Raptors baseball cap, likely the only coach in the league to wear a cap from his team. There was pride there because he had helped build the Raptors into a winner, but they didn’t win enough.
With the Celtics besieged by injuries all season and the Cavaliers in disarray because of the Isaiah Thomas trade and their defensive issues, this was supposed to be the year Toronto broke through to the NBA Finals. The problem was the Raptors relied on DeRozan and Lowry to lead, and in all honesty, they aren’t elite leaders.
James beat them mentally. In Game 1, though he admitted he was still exhausted from the first-round series against the Pacers that went seven games, James shot 12 for 30 from the field but still led his team to an OT win. Two nights later, James came back with 43 points, the Cavaliers scorched Toronto’s defense, and the series and Casey’s tenure were essentially over. Toronto probably won’t get a better coach, but president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri thought the players had tuned Casey out.
“Today was really difficult for us and our organization,’’ said Ujiri. “In some ways, I think the time has come. We’ll figure out a way to move on. It’s really, really difficult to make this decision, especially in a short time. It was time for this to happen.’’
When the players think they know more than the coach, there’s a problem. The Raptors stopped listening to Casey, stopped playing defense, and Casey wanted to be careful with each possession, instead of letting his horses run. He didn’t take advantage of the Cavaliers’ age and fatigue. He played right into their hands.
Casey will resurface. He’ll immediately become a candidate in Orlando if he wants to coach again. The Raptors could consider Jerry Stackhouse, who has coached in the G-League the past few years with great success.
But it was a sad ending to an inspiring rise for an organization. Casey is one of the good guys, and he deserved better. The players have to accept responsibility. Lowry and DeRozan may have to be broken up. Casey’s firing likely won’t be Ujiri’s last move of the offseason, but it will be the most difficult.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve done in my life,’’ he said. “Never met someone that classy in my life. Roster changes are more difficult, more complicated. We’re not saying this roster is perfect. There are things I have to do to get better. I hope Coach Casey gets [NBA] Coach of the Year because he deserves it.’’
ETC.
76ers’ progress is tied to Simmons’s
The 76ers were just hoping to reach the playoffs after four seasons that produced a total of just 75 wins. They not only reached the playoffs, they won their final 16 games to capture the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
After disposing of the Heat in five games, the 76ers were favored to advance to the conference finals by beating the banged-up Celtics. Instead, they were eliminated in five games. No conference finals. No matchup with LeBron James. And a lot of questions about two players in particular: rookies Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.
Simmons’s inability and lack of desire to shoot from midrange was exposed. He scored the vast majority of his points on layups, dunks, and free throws. Fultz didn’t even play in the series, the Sixers going instead with T.J. McConnell, who made a positive impact.
So, what happens with Simmons, who has the skills to be a perennial All-Star but also some major flaws? First, he needs to develop some type of jump shot so teams won’t ignore him on the perimeter. Second, the 6-foot-10-inch guard needs to become a better free throw shooter.
“It’s very much a part of the conversations we’ve been having since we’ve had him,’’ coach Brett Brown said. “His offensive judgment day is, what will you shoot from the free throw line? What will your efficiency be finishing? And then your jump shot? And then we can talk about a 3-point shot at some point.
“He is a big man and an A-plus athlete. Those are the things that happen the most with the current skill package that he has. He understands that his world becomes a lot of easier once that becomes part of his game. I think Ben wants to be great. This will be part of his development plan. I think this Boston Celtics experience will help him.’’
Brown also reflected on his status. General manager Bryan Colangelo has said he will work on a new deal for his coach, who has a record of 127-283.
“I love being here. We’ve grown something. I’m just so proud of where we are. My situation will unfold as it should,’’ Brown said. “The real-time game-planning. The real-life landscape of playoff basketball, I haven’t felt since San Antonio. Where we ended should be where we start next season. I wish we would have done a better job of guarding the 3-point line. We didn’t get it done to the level I know you need.
“I don’t feel like I’m owed here. I feel like I deserve a lot. Our culture is to not be denied. It is real. Players want to play here. We can attract free agents. I feel like we’ve all as a staff deserve the chance to build this program. We’re on to something special here.’’
Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick, played in just 14 regular-season games because of shoulder issues and mental struggles with his fundamentals. What role will he play next season? For Brown, it could depend on what happens this summer.
“Could Markelle have played a role in this series? Maybe,’’ Brown said. “The things he has had to endure this season, we understand. I think he’s going to knock it out of the park. He’s going to have a great summer. I can’t wait to coach him. We’ve seen signs of brilliance. We can’t wait to see him alongside Ben and Joel [Embiid] next year. I hope he plays summer league.’’
There is no doubt that Brown is focused on the Celtics. He realizes his team is a few years behind the Celtics, who will return Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward next season.
“The benefit that Marcus Smart, that Jaylen Brown, that [Terry] Rozier had playing in the Eastern Conference championship that had carryover this year, you can’t really quantify that,’’ Brown said. “Anything that matters you’re going to bump into the Celtics. They’re always going to be sort of on our mind in relation to how do you compete with them. With Kyrie, Hayward, and [Al] Horford, you have three All-Stars, we understand that, and some tremendous young pieces.’’
Philadelphia needs another premium player to join Embiid and Simmons. Is Philadelphia the type of city that can attract a Paul George, or even draw James’s attention? Brown believes so. The 76ers are ready to be one of the league’s elite. The foundation has been built, but the process is a few steps from completion.
“Another high-level free agent is required,’’ Brown said. “At some point when the time is right, I think we need help to win a championship.’’
Layups
Kudos to Thunder forward Nick Collison, who announced his retirement Thursday after 15 years in the NBA, the last 10 in Oklahoma City and the five in Seattle. Collison was never a star, but he was a workmanlike big man who would set hard picks and pop off those picks for midrange jump shots. He became the ultimate teammate over the past few years as the Thunder added great talent and his role was reduced. One thing Seattleites will appreciate is Collison lived in the city in the offseason even after the franchise relocated. Collison’s retirement leaves two only active players who suited up for the SuperSonics, Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, who spent their rookie years in Seattle. The league leaving Seattle remains one of former commissioner David Stern’s biggest regrets . . . The Hornets decided on a coach, choosing Spurs assistant James Borrego over Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga. Larranaga, 43, flew to Florida to meet with Hornets owner Michael Jordan between Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. It was a great experience for Larranaga, who also interviewed for the Knicks’ and Hawks’ openings. The Hornets are banking that Borrego, 41, will inspire some excitement for a franchise that’s considered a potential sleeping giant. Neither Borrego nor Larranaga are household names, and it appears the Hornets weren’t exactly trying to pay top dollar or bring in a veteran for the job. That doesn’t mean Borrego will fail, and the Hornets are hoping that Borrego’s experience with Gregg Popovich will lead to success in his first head job. Larranaga is destined to get an NBA head coaching job, although he may have to wait until next year. The Hawks were focused on Philadelphia assistant Lloyd Pierce, who interviewed twice before accepting the job on Friday night. Like the Hornets, the Hawks were seeking a bright young coach to foster a rebuilding plan and regain the faith of the fans. Previous coach Mike Budenholzer, who mutually parted ways with the Hawks, did not want to endure a long-term rebuilding project, but it may not take years since the Hawks have three first-round picks — their own, plus Minnesota’s and Houston’s — along with returnees Taurean Prince, John Collins, and Dennis Schroder. The Hawks could be successful rather quickly.
Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GwashburnGlobe. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.
