5 candidates to replace Dwane Casey Toronto Raptors coach

5 candidates to replace Dwane Casey as Toronto Raptors coach

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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3. Mike Brown

After being fired after a one-season return as Cleveland Cavaliers head coach (pre-LeBron James coming back) in 2014, and taking a hiatus, Brown has been associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors for the last two seasons. Being associated with that success, just as he was as a San Antonio Spurs’ assistant from 2000-2003, can be dangerous to bet on when hiring a head coach.

But Brown has had a lot of success as a head coach, with a .616 regular season winning percentage and at least one playoff series win in all five seasons of his first stint with the Cavaliers. The building dysfunction of the Los Angeles Lakers at the time, as he was fired five games into the 2012-13 season after going 41-25 in the lockout-shortened previous campaign, can’t be held against Brown.

Brown filled in for Steve Kerr as head coach last postseason, leading the Warriors to a 12-0 record as he moved over a seat on the bench. A team like Golden State can be put on auto-pilot to a large degree, but Brown kept things on the rails while Kerr was unable to coach games on the floor.

Brown could be seen by some as far too similar to Casey. But he’s a proven name who should get another head coaching opportunity before too long, and the Raptors should have him on their list of candidates.

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