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NBA Rumors: 5 coaches to replace Dwane Casey in Toronto

By John Buhler

Apr 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Patrick Ewing against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Patrick Ewing against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

170. . Assistant Coach. Charlotte Hornets. Patrick Ewing. 2. player

Why does Patrick Ewing continue to get passed over for head coaching opportunities? He is easily the most qualified top assistant in the NBA to have never been able to lead an NBA team as a coach in his own right.

Ewing is unfairly criticized for being a Hall of Fame center, as general managers think he is only able to relate to big men that don’t really have a place in the pace and space era of the NBA. However, Ewing over the last few years has become a terrific top assistant on his own accord.

He is the top assistant on Steve Clifford’s defense-first Charlotte Hornets team. Ewing was skilled on the offensive end as a player, but it has been his defensive chops that have him on the brink of eventually landing an NBA head coaching gig. He’s learned from nearly every branch of the Pat Riley/Van Gundy Brothers coaching tree in his NBA career.

Ewing would install a great defensive culture in Toronto and would get the absolute most out of Valanciunas. Toronto may have to take a back seat in the East for a year or two while Ewing gets himself situated coaching his kind of players, but the Raptors could emerge even better in 2018 or 2019 with Ewing as its head coach as opposed to what Toronto currently has in Casey.

Next: 1. Nate Tibbetts

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