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Dwane Casey in much different scenario with Detroit Pistons

By Travis Gibbs

TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors applauds in the second half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors applauds in the second half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Dwane Casey
Dwane Casey /

Dwane Casey is taking over a much better team in Detroit than he did when he became the head coach of the Toronto Raptors. This means the expectation is much different this time around for Casey.

Dwane Casey was recently hired to be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons. He comes into a much different situation with the Pistons than he did when he became the head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

Detroit wants to win now

Owner Tom Gores has mentioned that he wants his team to stay competitive. Hiring Casey supports that motive. Casey led Toronto to a franchise-record 59 wins last season. He also had his team advance past the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

When Toronto hired Casey, the “winning now” mentality wasn’t the case. They were a team that was in transition mode. They were moving out old pieces and bringing in new ones.

Related Story: Why Dwane Casey is the right man for the Detroit Pistons

The Raptors finished 22-60 the season before Casey came along. The Pistons are coming off a 39-43 season where they were just on the outside of the playoff bubble.

Meaning that the Pistons want to win now means the expectations will be higher for Casey. This team will be expected to be in the playoff picture next season.

Detroit has talent to work with

When Casey started his coaching term in Toronto, he had just about nothing to work with. He had DeMar DeRozan who was still learning the ropes of playing every night in the NBA. Andrea Bargnani was their leading scorer even though he missed more than half of that season.

There isn’t much else to mention from that roster Casey inherited. On the other hand, the roster he’s taking over in Detroit has a lot of things worth talking about.

He’ll have a core of three all-star caliber players at his disposal. It’ll be vital for Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and Reggie Jackson to stay healthy in Casey’s first season if they want to be competitive.

Outside of that, he has one of the best three-point shooters in the league with Reggie Bullock. He had the best season of his career with the Pistons in 2017.

Then, there are younger players that have potential. Guys that Casey can develop into effective rotational players which is something he’s proven he can do.

Luke Kennard had an up and down rookie season. Stanley Johnson showed flashes last season. Henry Ellenson is a guy that has yet to get a fair crack at meaningful minutes in the NBA.

Dwane Casey has a good opportunity

Ultimately, Dwane Casey has a much better team he’s starting out with in Detroit than he did in Toronto. With that, there’s also a much different mindset the organization will be taking into the 2018 season.

It’s amazing how Casey turned an irrelevant group in Toronto into a 59-win team in his last season as head coach. It’s amazing to think about what he could potentially do with the Detroit Pistons.

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