There were behind-the-scenes hints that Dwane Casey’s job as coach of the Toronto Raptors was in jeopardy, according to reports.
According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet, Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was furious after LeBron James’s game-winning bank shot in Game 3, particularly Casey’s decision to not double-team James on the final possession, as well as the team’s general lack of execution on the play.
Ujiri reportedly stormed into the Toronto locker room and berated Casey in his office for the lack of a double-team, within earshot of the players. While the general manager is said to have a temper, the outburst was described as “more than typical.”
There may have been other factors at play, but it certainly sounds like Ujiri had had it with Casey’s game management. To those on the inside, it doesn’t sound like Casey’s firing came as a huge surprise.
