NBA coaches name Raptors' Dwane Casey Coach of the Year

May 9 2018, 11:07 pm

Dwane Casey has the respect and admiration of his peers.

That much is clear after the Toronto Raptors’ head coach was named the 2018 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg Coach of the Year Award on Wednesday. Not to be confused with the NBA Coach of the Year award, as selected by the media – this award is voted on by the league’s 30 head coaches.

Casey beat out other prospects like Brett Brown, Mike D’Antoni, Nate McMillan, Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, Quin Snyder, and Terry Stotts for the award.

“The Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award for the top NBA Coach as voted by his peers is one of the most meaningful in all of pro-sports,” said Dallas Mavericks head coach and National Basketball Coaches Association president Rick Carlisle. “Dwane Casey once again maximized the Toronto roster to achieve the top record in the Eastern Conference. Congratulations to Dwane on this prestigious recognition.”

The irony in all this, of course, is that Casey is in the hot seat after his team was recently bounced by Cleveland in a four-game sweep. His future with the Raptors is uncertain, with a report circulating on Tuesday that the team is leaning towards firing him.

Still, you can’t deny Casey’s brilliance – at least in the regular season. Not only did the Raptors finish on top of the Eastern Conference with a franchise-record 59 wins, they did so playing a new style of offence while utilizing their bench.

“To be honoured by your peers is incredibly gratifying, and I am so thankful to my colleagues across the league for this recognition. I’m also grateful to the talented and dedicated coaching staff I work with every day in Toronto,” said Casey. “To be recognized with an award that bears Michael H. Goldberg’s name is very special.”

The NBA will announce the winner of the Red Auerbach Trophy as the league’s official Coach of the Year at the NBA Awards Show on June 25. Casey is a top candidate to win that one too.

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