Seven seasons, 320 wins, multiple franchise records and a controversial firing later, former Raptors bench boss Dwane Casey was back in Toronto for the first time as an opposing coach.
It rained applause for the winningest coach in franchise history before the man of the hour stepped onto the court for a brief moment to acknowledge the appreciative fans.
After leaving his assistant post with the Dallas Mavericks to take the reins in Toronto in 2011, Casey guided the team through a couple of losing seasons before the momentous turnaround began.
He was also named NBA Coach Of the Year last season, but he couldn’t overcome a third straight embarrassing playoff defeat at the hands of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers and was relieved of his duties last June.
The 61-year-old often talked about how much he loved living in Canada, and prior to the game Wednesday had some more kind words for the country he and his family embraced as their own.
Luckily for Casey, his wife Brenda and their two children, Detroit is only a hop, skip and jump away from Canadian soil.
- Toronto fans embrace Dwane Casey -- as they shouldThe Detroit News
- Detroit Pistons' Dwane Casey left 'blood, sweat and tears' with TorontoDetroit Free Press
- Raptors' Green leaves game vs. Pistons with lower back tightnessSportsnet.ca
- Toronto Raptors play without Serge Ibaka for return of coach Dwane CaseyThe Globe and Mail
- Watch: Dwane Casey Gets Standing Ovation Before Pistons Game vs. RaptorsSports Illustrated
- As Dwane Casey returns to Toronto, his influence is felt beyond RaptorsCBC.ca
- Raptors' Serge Ibaka out vs. Pistons with right knee sorenessSportsnet.ca
- Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas: Will start WednesdayCBSSports.com
- Raptors' Serge Ibaka: Out Wednesday with sore kneeCBSSports.com
