By Canadian Press

Cleveland’s Lue speaks out in support of Raptors counterpart Dwane Casey

May 7, 2018 | 5:27 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue says the idea that Raptors coach Dwane Casey’s job might be in jeopardy is absurd.

Lue was asked prior to Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal about Casey’s future with Toronto as well as Stan Van Gundy, whose tenure as coach and president of basketball operations of the Detroit Pistons ended Monday.

Lue, who played under Van Gundy in his last year as a player with Orlando, called him an amazing coach.

“It’s just crazy to let a great guy like Stan go … He’s one of the best as far as knowing the basketball game and what it takes,” he said.

As for Casey, Lue reeled off the Toronto coach’s accomplishments this season, which includes taking his team to the second-best record in the league.

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“I don’t believe that one bit,” he said, when a Toronto columnist said there was some talk Monday could be Casey’s last game with the Raptors. “I mean it would be absurd to make a move like that.”

Given his team’s dominance over Toronto in the playoffs, Lue may not be helping Casey’s job security, however.

Hired in 2011, Casey has lifted Toronto to new heights, including five straight playoff appearances. The Raptors were 22-60 in 2010-11, the season before Casey came to Toronto. They ended this season 59-23.

But playoff expectations were high. And the performance against Cleveland has not met them. 

With a record of 320-258 at Toronto’s helm, the 61-year-old Casey has more regular-season wins than any of the franchise’s seven previous coaches.

The Canadian Press