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PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 7:22 am 
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TORONTO -- Dwane Casey has been carrying around a contract in his briefcase for the past few months, signed by all the Toronto Raptors and the teams staff. The contract, just two or three lines long and something that "wouldnt hold up in court," Casey said laughing, was a pledge of commitment. Its headline: "Im all in." Perhaps no one was more committed than Casey to the Raptors success this season, and on Tuesday, the 57-year-old coach was rewarded with a new three-year contract. The announcement came two days after Torontos season ended, but a couple of months after GM Masai Ujiri first approached the coach to get a new deal done. "Coach Casey was really classy because he said to me and he said to the players, Lets leave this and concentrate on the season, this is our chance to prove ourselves," Ujiri said, recounting his initial contract talks with Casey back in March. "He said, If Ive preached that to the players, then I owe it to them to continue this and well talk about (contract negotiations) after the season. I really give him credit for that." Casey led a young Raptors team to a remarkable and unexpected season that included a franchise-record 48 wins, an Atlantic Division title, and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Toronto pushed the vastly experienced Brooklyn Nets to seven games in the opening round of the playoffs, losing Game 7 by just a point. Casey said he drew up his "Im all in" pledge right after the February all-star break. In their next game, the Raptors recorded a big 103-93 win at Washington. "(It was about) committing to the process. Leaving their egos at the door," said Casey, who said he might have the contract framed. "Each player dedicated themselves, gave themselves to the season, and also as far as Im concerned to the future. Because this year was just a start of what we want to grow and develop with Masai as our leader and also the guys that are coming back here." Kyle Lowry was the first player to jump up and sign the pledge, said Casey. Retaining Lowry, the point guard whose teammates say was their heart and soul this season, will be one of the Raptors top priorities in the coming weeks -- the 28-year-old becomes a free agent on July 1. Lowry spoke glowingly in exit interviews a day earlier about his love for his teammates and the city, and Ujiri sounded, on Tuesday, as if the feeling was mutual. "Its very important (to re-sign Lowry) in terms of continuity," Ujiri said. "Kyle has had a phenomenal year. I thought Kyle was a huge, huge key to our season. For me, negotiating is easy if we want Kyle to be here and Kyle wants to be here. "Hes grown tremendously, to be coached and to work with," Ujiri continued. "His teammates, everybody has said that. Were proud of him. And so well go through that process, but were optimistic stuff will happen." Lowry and his teammates praised Casey in season-ending media interviews, noting the consistency of his message. For his part, Casey said he never considered testing the market. Ujiri made a commitment to the coach when the season began, and Casey said it was only fair he reciprocate. Caseys job status was uncertain when the season began. He was hired by Bryan Colangelo, and Ujiri had just replaced Colangelo as GM. "Masai could have made any decision when he first took over the job last spring." Casey said. "He was true to his word, he gave all of us a platform to go out and prove and show, even the players, what you can do. And he was true to his word. Thats all you can ask for in this business is an opportunity. "It would be so disingenuous to even go out and put your foot in the market and think that was a possibility, so I didnt even give it a second thought. My heart is here, my mind is here." The Raptors thrived after the seven-player deal last December that sent Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings. Casey, who is almost fatherly in the way he communicates with his team, worked four new players into the roster, and from that point forward Toronto had the best mark in the Eastern Conference at 41-22. Casey and Ujiri were proud of the teams performance in the playoffs. They squared off against a Nets team that was built for success right now, whereas the Raptors are very much a work in progress. Casey was named head coach in June 2011, shortly after he helped guide the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA title. When asked which season -- the championship in Dallas, or this Raptors campaign -- was more satisfying, he said this one. "Its far more gratifying watching kids grow, watching development ... watching guys go through Game 6, when our compete level in the first half was probably one of the lowest we had all year, and then turn it around and put ourselves in a position to win the game," Casey said. Casey said the biggest mistake the team can make now is be complacent, so improvement is the focus of the off-season. He pointed out how sophomore centre Jonas Valanciunas will work with NBA legend and former Raptor Hakeem Olajuwon over the summer. The coach said, for his part, hell do what he does every off-season and examine tape of every game, looking for what they did wrong, what they could have done better. Both Casey and Ujiri spoke again about the incredible fan support in Toronto, noting that support helps when theyre trying to sell the city to free agents. Casey called it easily the best in the NBA and compared it to the 1996 NBA finals. He was with the Seattle SuperSonics that year, bowing in the final series to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. "KeyArena was rocking, loud. The Finals in 96, I thought that was loud," Casey said. "That didnt compare to the Air Canada Centre on Sunday when Deron Williams was shooting his free throws (in the dying seconds). You could just hear it vibrating. The official had to lean over to me and whisper in my ear, which I felt kinda creepy ... but you couldnt hear yourself talk. Thats a home-court advantage, its second to none in the league." Ujiri mentioned his predecessor at the end of Tuesdays 45-minute news conference at Air Canada Centre. "I think Bryan Colangelo did an unbelievable job here," he said. "He hired Dwane Casey. The starting five were picked by Bryan Colangelo as young players. I think the guy did an unbelievable job. He was a boss here, my boss and a mentor. He needs to be given some credit." Casey was named NBA Eastern Conference coach of the month in December. The Raptors finished in the Top 10 in the NBA in defensive field goal percentage (.450) and points allowed (98.0), and also posted a franchise-best 22 road wins. Jean-Francois Jacques Jersey . "He came up to me and said, I want to train," said Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen. The 26-year-old midfielder is expected to play Saturday night when Toronto hosts D.C. United, returning to his Major League Soccer squad with mixed feelings about the Americans World Cup run -- sad that it ended when it did but proud of his teams performance. Mark Letestu Jersey .That means, of course, that John Wall beat the Spurs for the first time ever — within weeks of his first wins in head-to-head games against nemeses Chris Paul and Derrick Rose. http://www.hockeyoilersshop.com/jesse-p ... vi-jersey/. Forsman closed with a 3-under 69 in windy conditions Sunday for his third Champions Tour title. He beat Jay Don Blake by two shots. Mark Fayne Jersey .ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Zack Kassian Jersey . Anything less than gold for either nation is considered a disappointment. Yet for Switzerland, advancing to the semifinal might be a victory in itself.KELOWNA, B.C. - Myles Bell scored four goals and added two assists as the Kelowna Rockets toppled the visiting Kamloops Blazers 7-3 on Saturday in Western Hockey League action. Rourke Chartier and Tyson Bell also scored for the Rockets (42-7-3), who sit first overall in the WHL standings, while Justin Kirkland and Kris Schmidl chipped in with two assists apiece. Collin Shirley had a pair of goals for the Blazers (11-37-5), who are now on a six-game slide, and Austin Douglas scored once. Kelownas Jordon Cooke made 28 saves to improve to 30-4-3 on the season. Cole Kehler allowed three goals on 12 shots for Kamloops before giving way to Bolton Pouliot, who stopped 23-of-27 shots in two periods of relief. The Rockets went 2 for 3 on the power play while the Blazers failed to score on three chances with the man advantage. --- PATS 5 WARRIORS 2 REGINA -- Chandler Stephenson scored once and set up two more as the Pats handed Moose Jaw its ninth loss in a row. Kyle Burroughs, Colby Williams, Dyson Stevenson and Dryden Hunt also scored for Regina (27-21-5) and Morgan Klimchuk chipped in with two assists. Jack Rodewald scored both goals for the Warriors (13-31-8). Reginas Daniel Wapple made 33 saves for the win as Moose Jaws Justin Paulic turned away 34-of-38 shots in defeat. --- COUGARS 6 BRONCOS 2 SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. -- Klarc Wilson and Troy Bourke each scored twice as Prince George downed the Broncos for its fourth win in a row. Adam Beukeboom made 38 saves for the Cougars (22-26-7) while Zach Pochiro and Jordan Tkatch added single goals. Colby Cave and Nathan Burns supplied the offence for Swift Current (26-19-8). Eetu Laurikainen started in net for the Broncos, but was relieved 16 minutes into the game after allowing his third goal on 13 shots. Landon Bow finished the game and stopped 14-of-17 shots. --- WHEAT KINGS 4 BLADES 1 SASKATOON -- Jordan Papirny made 33 saves and Rihards Bukarts scored twice as Brandon defeated the Blades. Eric Roy and Jesse Gabrielle also scored for the Wheat Kings (27-19-6), who ended a three-game slide, and defenceman Rene Hunter chipped in with two assists. Cameron Hebig scored the lone goal for Saskatoon (14-36-4), which is 2-8-0 in its last 10 contests. Troy Tremblay turned aside 38-of-42 shots in a losing cause. --- ICE 5 HITMEN 2 CRANBROOK, B.C. -- Tim Bozon and Austin Vettrl each had a pair of goals and Mackenzie Skapski made 21 saves as Kootenay toppled Calgary. Jaedon Descheneau had a goal and an assist for the Ice (27-21-4), who trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes of play, while Sam Reinhart tacked on two assists. The Hitmen (32-14-6) got goals from Brady Brassart and goaltender Chris Driedger, who was awarded a goal after Kootenay played the puck into its own net while playing 6-on-5 on a delayed penalty. Driedger stopped 26-of-31 shots in a losing cause.dddddddddddd --- AMERICANS 4 REBELS 2 RED DEER, Alta. -- Brian Williams capped off a three-point outing with an empty-net goal as Tri-City doubled up the Rebels. Mitch Topping, Justin Gutierrez and Beau McCue also scored for the Americans (26-22-5) while Josh Thrower was given a five-minute major and game misconduct in the first period for checking to the head. Conner Bleackley and Evan Polei scored for Red Deer (27-22-3), which lost in regulation for the first time in seven outings, and Rhyse Dieno assisted on both. Eric Comrie made 27 saves for Tri-City while Taz Burman turned aside 24-of-27 shots for the Rebels. --- OIL KINGS 5 TIGERS 1 MEDICINE HAT, Alta. -- Mitchell Moroz scored twice and Cody Corbett had three assists as Edmonton extended its win streak to eight games by downing the Tigers. Reid Petryk and Curtis Lazar each had a goal and an assist for the Oil Kings (37-13-1) and Brandon Ralph had a single goal. Curtis Valk scored the lone goal for Medicine Hat (29-19-3). Tristan Jarry made 25 saves for Edmonton as Tigers goalie Marek Langhamer turned away 22-of-27 shots in defeat. --- WINTERHAWKS 3 THUNDERBIRDS 0 PORTLAND, Ore. -- Brendan Burke only had to make 16 saves for his second straight shutout as the Winterhawks blanked Seattle. Nicolas Petan and Oliver Bjorkstarnd each had a goal and an assist for Portland (36-12-5), which is 11-0-1 in its last 12 games, while Adam Rossignol added a single goal. Derrick Pouliot chipped in with two assists. Taran Kozun kicked out 46-of-49 shots for the Thunderbirds (32-16-5). Special teams were big for the Winterhawks as they scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded. --- SILVERTIPS 5 CHIEFS 4 (OT) EVERETT, Wash. -- Ivan Nikolishin scored twice, including the winner, as the Silvertips halted a six-game slide by edging Spokane. Joshua Winquist and Kohl Bauml each had a goal and two assists for Everett (26-19-8) and Patrick Bajkov added a goal and an assist. Colton Bobyk had a pair of goals for the Chiefs (31-16-5) and Mitch Holmberg and Markson Bechtold had a goal apiece. Silvertips netminder Eric Williams allowed four goals on 15 shots before giving way to Garret Hughson, who stopped 14-of-15 shots in 35 minutes of relief to earn the victory. Austin Lotz gave up two goals on five shots for Spokane and was relieved by Daniel Cotton. Cotton turned away 11-of-13 shots in 44 minutes of action. --- ROYALS 3 GIANTS 2 (OT) VICTORIA -- Joe Hicketts scored 36 seconds into extra time as the Royals slipped past Vancouver. Logan Nelson had a goal and an assist for Victoria (34-16-3) while Ben Walker scored the other. Ty Ronning and Cain Franson supplied the offence for the Giants (26-19-9). Coleman Vollrath made 23 saves for the Royals as Jared Rathjen stopped 33-of-36 shots for Vancouver. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '


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