Detroit Pistons: Differences between Dwane Casey and Stan Van Gundy

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 25: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons coaches during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Coinciding with the discouraging end to the Van Gundy era in Detroit was the end of Dwane Casey era in Toronto.

Fed up with a third-consecutive playoff series loss to the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors’ management decided to make a change at the coaching position.

Casey, who was named Coach of the Year in 2017-18, was fired a few days after a franchise-record 59-win season concluded.

Toronto’s loss ended up being Detroit’s gain, as the team decided to hire Casey with five-year-deal with an average value of $7 million per year.

The move was widely seen as a slam dunk for a team that needs to win now. Especially with the now-veteran composition of the roster, a first-time coach wasn’t in the cards and Casey was the best coach on the market at the time.