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Amidst firing of Dwane Casey, Neil Olshey was right to keep Terry Stotts

By Nate Mann

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers and head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors talk before the game on December 30, 2014 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers and head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors talk before the game on December 30, 2014 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In a similar position as Terry Stotts, if not better, Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey was fired Friday morning.

The Toronto Raptors recently closed out its most successful regular season in franchise history. Behind Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and the NBA’s best bench, Toronto won a franchise-record 59 games.

In the midst of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ struggles, 2018 seemed to be the year Lowry and DeRozan finally got the better of LeBron James.

But in the second round of the playoffs, LeBron wildly outperformed the Raptors’ guards for a series sweep. It marked Toronto’s third straight postseason knockout at the hands of The King.

Needing any type of change to counter this developing tradition, General Manager Masai Ujiri fired head coach Dwane Casey. He issued this statement:

"“After careful consideration, I have decided this is a very difficult but necessary step the franchise must take. As a team, we are constantly trying to grow and improve in order to get to the next level. We celebrate everything Dwane has done for the organization, we thank him, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”"

This firing comes mostly as a surprise to the NBA world.

First, both Lowry and DeRozan supported him after this year’s playoff exit. Lowry said, “He’s one of the best coaches out there.” DeRozan added, “All of my success, I have to credit to Casey.”

Not to mention, he is the franchise’s leader in games coached (397), games won (210) and winning percentage (.533).

Also, Casey has one year left on his contract worth $6.5 million.

Terry Stotts and Dwane Casey

Rumors swirled after Portland’s lightning-quick first round exit of Coach Terry Stotts’ firing. The rumors quickly died down and attention turned to the team’s assistance coaches, who might land a head coaching gig elsewhere.

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Neil Olshey didn’t fire Stotts, although his situation mirrors Casey’s.

Personnel and Playoffs

Both coach a team led by two elite guards (Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan). Despite the star power and deep lineups, neither head coach can advance far in the playoffs.

For Portland, the Golden State Warriors crushed its playoff hopes in back-to-back seasons. This year, the Blazers were swept before even reaching the Warriors.

For Toronto, LeBron James is a wall the team can’t climb. He’s defeated them in ten straight playoff matchups leading to three consecutive eliminations.

Contracts

Stotts and Casey are both in the middle of their contracts. Last summer, Stotts signed a three-year extension worth $15 million. Casey has one year of $6.5 million remaining.

Regular Season Success

Terry Stotts has kept Portland in the playoffs for five straight seasons. This season, the Blazers earned the three seed, its best ranking since 1999-2000.

Dwane Casey similarly led Toronto to a franchise-record 59 wins this year. He is the winningest coach in franchise history and recently made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Neil Olshey

It’s safe to say most Blazers fans dislike Neil Olshey. He overpays role players, refuses to make any beneficial trades and constantly deflects criticism.

However, keeping Terry Stotts despite this year’s letdown was a smart move. The team continues to improve each season and is one or two pieces away from being legitimate contenders.

Dwane Casey’s firing brings this all into perspective. Ujiri used his head coach as the fall guy regardless of regular season (and postseason) success.

Sure, Olshey won’t label himself as the fall guy even though his roster construction enabled New Orleans’ defensive scheme to control Portland. But he didn’t blame Stotts either.

After endorsements for Stotts from nearly every player on the team, Olshey retained his head coach.

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Portland has the potential to lose four key players this summer to free agency. Olshey’s decision to keep Stotts maintains familiarity within the organization.

Stotts’ presence only furthers Lillard and McCollum’s development too.