How the Detroit Pistons can become relevant again in 2018-19
By Amaar Burton
Dwane Casey takes down Toronto
Dwane Casey is the most successful head coach the Toronto Raptors have ever had.
In February, he became the first Raptors coach chosen to coach in the NBA All-Star Game. That same month, he won his 300th game with the franchise. In April, he led the Raptors to the best regular-season record in their history, as the team finished 59-23 and earned the No. 1 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
In May, Casey was fired after the Raptors were swept out of the conference semifinals by Cavaliers. On June 11, Casey was hired by the Pistons. On June 25, he won the NBA Coach of the Year award for his accomplishments with the Raptors.
The first reunion between Casey and his former team will be on Nov. 14 in Toronto. They’ll meet again on March 3 in Detroit, then again on March 17 in Detroit.
None of those games are scheduled for national TV in the U.S., but there will be some notable interest — at least for that first meeting in Toronto. Again, drama is a draw in this entertainment industry, and Casey returning to Toronto could be dramatic (or just awkward).
People will be paying attention to Pistons-Raptors, and one good ol’ butt-kicking with attitude for Casey would go over pretty well with the mainstream crowd.