It’s Time To Give Dwane Casey The Credit He Deserves

The Detroit Pistons have had success in their recent stretch of games. Dwane Casey has been an excellent coach in this stretch.

The Detroit Pistons are 7-1 since the All Star break, winners of 12 of their last 15 games, peaking at the right time and climbing up the eastern conference playoff ranks. And Dwane Casey deserves all the credit…

It wasn’t too long along ago when the Detroit Pistons looked like a team in disarray. After a hot start to the beginning of the regular season things seemed to take a turn for the worse. Any offense outside of Blake Griffin was inconsistent at best.

Lineups and personnel were being shuffled around on a game to game basis trying to find a formula for success and it showed Detroit as a team “out of whack” to say the least. To top it all off, a lot of the blame for this teams dismal play was put squarely on the coaches shoulders.

From media to fans the question of whether or not Casey was the right man for the job started to linger. But if you were really paying attention. I mean really watching what was going on. It was in these times where Casey’s greatness first started to show itself.

Casey could have made excuses. He could have turned to the reality that his team was facing injuries to key players like Reggie Bullock, Stanley Johnson, Ish Smith, Jon Leuer, and even Andre Drummond. Casey could have leaned on the fact that in all fairness that wasn’t even “his” team out there on the floor. Reminding us that the guys on the roster at that time were the players Stan Van Gundy put together.

But Casey never even blinked.

Never did we see a post game interview after yet another loss where Casey seemed even somewhat frustrated or overwhelmed.

Maybe you want your coach to be frustrated when his team isn’t performing up to their potential.

But Casey’s level head and continued belief in his players and in his philosophies kept them from letting their sub par play take an even bigger turn for the worse. Continuing to preach about giving a winning effort, being consistent in winning habits, and challenging his players to earn the respect of the people in this city. He kept reminding us that laying the foundation was the most important thing in this process.

All year we’ve heard Casey tell us that these were the things he wanted to install into his players. And assured us that the wins would follow. I think we can all agree that the recent success of this pistons team feels a little different then just some regular old good stretch of basketball games.

It feels like more than that.

It feels a little bit like the winning culture Casey has been telling us about. And wouldn’t you know, the wins have started to pile up.

Aside from X’s and O’s these qualities are what make coaches “great”. Casey isn’t looking to just win basketball games. He’s trying to change the culture here in Detroit. He’s trying to take the Detroit Pistons back to the days of playoff wins and championship aspirations.

What better way to install a culture and attitude of winning then by leading by example. Even when talks of tanking and blowing up the roster started to get louder Casey never panicked or even wavered. He believed in his methods.

Former pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy was often criticized in his handling of the young guys on the roster. One of the highlights of Casey’s resume before landing in Detroit was his reputation for doing the exact opposite.

It didn’t even take a full season for Casey to have an obvious effect in that department. Rookie second round draft pick Bruce Brown is playing a starting role as a lock-down defender for Casey’s squad and second year man Luke Kennard is having a break out year himself under Casey’s leadership. The confidence Casey gives these young guys to go out and play and continued belief in them even when they struggle is a huge key in their success.

Under coach Casey’s leadership Blake Griffin is having arguably a career year. Drummond as well. Reggie Jackson now healthy is showing signs of returning to the aggressive dominant force he was a couple of years ago.

Brown looks to be a jump shot away from being a top three and D man in this league and his continued development shows on a nightly basis.

Kennard is finally looking confident and giving us the production we all dreamed about after being a lottery selection two years ago.

Team chemistry is at an all time high. Evident by the teams willingness to share the basketball and the obvious joy these players have for each other’s success.

Some might say that’s all coincidence. And maybe those people are right. But when a team is getting the absolute most out of every guy on the roster. That’s a sign of a good coaching. For Detroit Pistons fans who have seen the difference in winning and losing over the years for this franchise, Coach Casey sure seems like a winner.

And it’s no surprise his team is starting to follow suit.