So the inevitable has finally happened. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the NBA Finals for the third time in franchise history and LeBron James is in his 6th straight, which is a feat that only the Russell-Cousy Celtics have done.
The Toronto Raptors, in terms of their history, have had the best season they’ve ever had, the took the Cavs to six games and finally made it deep in the Playoffs. It means that the team can finally call themselves legitimate and it also means that Dwane Casey has saved his own skin and then some.
During the regular season there were rumblings that Dwane Casey was on the hot seat. Not the hottest but the seat was definitely warm. If the Raptors didn’t go deep into the Playoffs we may have been speculating on who would be the next Raptors head coach. But Casey got the job done and cemented Toronto as the 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference. ESPN’s Marc Stein reported late last night that Casey is getting what he deserves. Talks of a contract extension.
Casey has one season left on his current contract at the Raptors’ option for $4 million next season.
If talks progress as expected, Casey should land a new deal in circumstances not unlike Portland’s Terry Stotts.
Stein is on the right track when you compare Casey’s situation to Stotts but Casey clearly had more pressure. For years the Raptors have been looking to be at this level and they just couldn’t quite get there. The Blazers were gutted and Stotts lifted them in ways we never saw coming.
But like Stotts, Dwane Casey deserves that extension.
