Monday night, the NBA named new Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey its 2017-18 NBA Coach of the Year at the NBA Awards. Casey led the Toronto Raptors to unprecedented success this season, but General Manager Masai Ujiri elected to let him go at its conclusion. Nonetheless, the Raptors’ social media team awkwardly congratulated Casey when the league announced its three finalists for the award in May.
Congrats Coach! https://t.co/KG68c3Icu7
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 17, 2018
It was a rather strange tweet considering the team had just fired Casey. Monday, after the award’s announcement, the Pistons posted a hilarious troll of the Raptors.
Congrats Coach! 😉 https://t.co/e7hordsJ7Z
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) June 26, 2018
This time around, Toronto’s social media team took a more matter-of-fact approach.
Congratulations to Dwane. https://t.co/LoviJVFllD
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 26, 2018
This was a weird situation for all involved — but props to the Pistons for making the best of it. As for the Raptors? Well…at least you tried.
Casey was gracious in accepting the award. He shouted out his family, coaches who mentored him, and some of his former players — Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and Jonas Valanciunas.
“When you get fired — which I did recently, I don’t know if you knew that or not,” Casey joked. “You always doubt yourself a little bit. You think, ‘OK, can I do this, do I want to do this again?’ And then I interviewed with Tom Gores, the owner of the Detroit Pistons. He and I connected, and he’s given me an opportunity that I’m very appreciative of: for someone to believe in you.”
Check out Dwane Casey's acceptance speech from tonight. #NBAAwards
Can't wait for next season, Coach! pic.twitter.com/NkmkhxRLuB
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) June 26, 2018
Pistons’ Future
Casey will be presented with a challenge as he inherits the roster Stan Van Gundy assembled. The Pistons have two interesting but perplexing pieces in forwards Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, in addition to guard Reggie Jackson.
Though the team’s long-term future is questionable, with stronger leadership in place, Detroit should contend for a playoff spot next season.
