The Toronto Raptors had the best regular season in franchise history and claimed the East's No. 1 seed after winning 59 games. The Raptors struggled in the postseason, however, wrestling with the Washington Wizards in the first round and then being swept by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
Shortly after the Raptors' season came to an end, the organization announced head coach Dwane Casey had been fired. A report indicated LeBron's game winner in Game 3 led to the decision.
The fact remains, however, that Casey did a masterful job coaching his team in the regular season. His efforts were justified Wednesday, when it was announced that Casey is one of three finalists—along with Boston's Brad Stevens and Utah's Quin Snyder—for Coach of the Year.
It was a nice accomplishment, of course, but probably one the Raptors' social media team should have overlooked—I mean, the man just got fired. Toronto, however, congratulated Casey on the team's official account. Talk about awkward.
Congrats Coach! https://t.co/KG68c3Icu7
As you'd expect, people found the tweet rather strange.
Dwayne Casey :
pic.twitter.com/x3o7abXDsN
Didn’t yall just fire.... Nvm
Reports indicated the Raptors wanted former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer as their next leader, but the Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly scooped Budenholzer. Toronto reportedly never made him an offer.
Budenholzer is signing a four-year deal, league sources tell ESPN.
It would not be surprising for the Raps to promote an internal candidate like assistant coach Nick Nurse.
