Overall I still think He’s overrated as a coach, but I will have always have a soft spot for him, because he was the first ever coach to led our beloved raptors to the their first ever NBA championship. We made history as first time Winners and our ECF/NBA champions banners will fly forever.
We wouldn’t have won the 2019 chip with Dwayne Casey.
But Masai really changed the complexion and identity of this team for the better with two great trades and a necessary coaching change that was overdue.
Delon Wright/Cj miles/Jonas Valanciunas traded for veteran all star Marc Gasol at the 2019 trade deadline (February 7, 2019) is arguably the most underrated trade in raptors history. It didn’t made the headlines like the kawhi/demar trade, but Gasol’s impact on the raps during our playoff run was very positive. He was not the gasol of 2013, he was physically declining because of age, but mentally he was still a intelligent player with great basketball decision making skills and playmaking skills. He was still a player with good fundamentals. He could space the floor, shoot the three, draw fouls and hit a very high percentage of free throws with accuracy. No hack a Shaq with him. He shut down head to head, in that order Embiid, Giannis and Draymond Green in the Philly/Milwaukee/Golden State series.
Demar Derozan traded for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green in the summer of 2018 (July 18, 2018) we all know it was a great trade to get a top 5 player in the league and the first scoring option, superstar, elite two way player, elite rebounder, and playoff closer the raptors really needed. A franchise defining trade. The biggest trade ever in raptors history. After that one it’s the 1998 nba draft trade that sent Antwan Jamison to Golden State and Vince Carter to Toronto. Masai Uriji made the boldest move of his entire career when he traded DeRozan and pulled the win. No risk, no chip. And Danny green is easily the best « throw in player » that the raptors ever got in their trade history. An exceptional three-point shooter, he could carry his team when he was in the zone. Underrated, he was a tenacious defender who got his hands in passing lanes. Played his role very well at both ends of the court and did the little things to help his team. He was fluid, smart, mobile for his size/height, athletic, long and hardworking. Was very versatile as he was able to slot in at several positions. His game was often limited to being a "3 and D" performer. He Was not a take-charge scorer who created his own shot very often. But he made the shots when he caught the passes.
Dwayne Casey 2017-18 coach of the year fired, assistant coach Nick nurse hired (May 11, 2018)