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A22 sports
Saturday 12 May 2018
Raptors fire coach Dwane Casey after another sweep by Cavs

By IAN HARRISON After Toronto’s playoff exit
Associated Press last spring, Ujiri demanded
TORONTO (AP) — Masai Ujiri a “culture reset,” leading
believes Dwane Casey de- a greater emphasis on ball
serves to be recognized as movement, depth, and
the best coach in the NBA, 3-point shooting. On Friday,
but the Toronto president Ujiri said he wants his new
doesn’t think Casey should coach to continue that
be leading the Raptors. style moving forward.
So the Raptors fired Casey, “I hope we can because
praising him on his way out you try to get those kind of
the door. players to fit that mode,”
Hours after the Raptors an- Ujiri said. “Hopefully there’s
nounced they were parting a smooth transition but
ways with Casey on Friday a new coach is going to
— days after the team was have his style, he’s going to
swept in the playoffs by the have his voice.”
Cleveland Cavaliers for the Earlier this week, as they
second straight season — cleaned out their lockers,
Ujiri said he doesn’t think he All-Star guards Kyle Lowry
will ever work with a better and DeMar DeRozan spoke
person. In this Wednesday, May 9, 2018 photo, Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey speaks to positively about Casey.
“Nothing in particular that media during an end-of-season NBA basketball media availability in Toronto,. DeRozan credited Casey
coach Casey did wrong, Associated Press with all of his success while
but I think it was time for this the Raptors had. Cleveland, losing to LeB- be “open” to considering Lowry called Casey “one
to happen,” he said. “Probably within the last ron James and the Cavs a wide range of potential of the best coaches out
Casey led the Raptors five years, I bet they’ve im- in each of the past three candidates. there.”
to a franchise-record 59 proved in winning percent- playoffs. “We’ll start that process Still, Lowry was dejected by
wins this season as Toronto age every single year,” Ujiri said he spent “count- right after I finish here,” the team’s playoff perfor-
earned the top seed in the James said. “But I guess less hours” evaluating the Ujiri said. “We’ll look every- mance, calling it a “wasted
Eastern Conference for the their front office wants play- team in the days following where. I’m not ruling out year” after a third straight
first time. He posted a 320- off success. That’s what it this year’s defeat before anything. We’ll do a thor- elimination at the hands of
238 record in seven seasons boils down to.” deciding to fire Casey. It ough job.” James and the Cavs.
and is the franchise’s win- On Tuesday, Casey was was the first time he’d had Ujiri denied reports that “We felt like we could pos-
ningest coach. named coach of the year to fire a coach in more Casey had precipitated sibly make the NBA Finals,”
“I hope coach Casey gets by the National Basketball than a decade as an NBA his firing by seeking a con- Lowry said. “That was our
coach of the year, be- Coaches Association, an executive. tract extension. Casey had goal.”
cause he deserves it,” Ujiri award voted on by NBA “It’s the hardest thing I’ve one year remaining on a On Wednesday, Casey in-
said. “I saw everything he head coaches. A media done in my life,” Ujiri said. three-year, $18 million dol- sisted “the gap is closing”
did here. I saw the job he panel voted separately “In terms of collaboration, lar extension he received in between the Raptors and
did this year. He deserves for the NBA’s coach of the I don’t think I’ll work with a June, 2016. Cavaliers.
it.” year award, which will be better person. Maybe my Toronto’s assistant coaches “A lot of folks have run up
But that wasn’t enough for announced June 25. dad. This guy is phenom- remain in their roles, Ujiri against Cleveland in the
Casey to keep his job. Under Casey, the Rap- enal. A listener, a learner, said. last few years and had
James and Cavaliers tors won four Atlantic Divi- a performer and a real per- “All of them are with us for the same challenge and it
coach Tyronn Lue said it sion titles and advanced son.” now,” Ujiri said. “Obviously went down the same way,”
was disappointing to hear to the playoffs in five con- Ujiri had little to say about some of them will get inter- he said. “That’s the moun-
that Casey had been fired, secutive seasons. But To- who his next head coach views. We’re going to go tain this organization has to
especially after the year ronto couldn’t get past might be, but said he would through that.” climb.”q

U.S. routs S. Korea, Czechs blank Belarus at world hockey

By KAREL JANICEK playing his first game for the out there and just feel the Sulak, Roman Horak and dersen made 21 saves for
Associated Press U.S. after being knocked puck and get ready for the Michal Repik scored for his first shutout. “The crowd
HERNING, Denmark (AP) out of the NHL playoffs last rest of tournament.” the Czechs against Belarus. delivered again,” Ander-
— Captain Patrick Kane weekend, made his pres- When the U.S. won its Goaltender Pavel Francouz sen said. The United States
scored two goals and ence felt with two goals first five games in 1933, stopped all 11 shots. move into the sole lead of
added three assists as the and two assists. Derek Ryan it claimed its only world Defenseman Nicklas Jen- Group B in Herning, three
United States demolished and Cam Atkinson also championship. But there sen scored twice and points ahead of Canada
South Korea 13-1 at the scored a couple each. were no more games then. Frederik Storm added one which has a game in hand.
ice hockey world champi- “It was a long day, got here Jin Hui Ahn scored South Ko- all on power plays against Finland was four points be-
onship on Friday for a fifth a couple hours ago,” McA- rea’s third goal at the worlds Norway for Denmark’s third hind, followed by Denmark.
straight victory. voy said. “We have such a for a 1-0 surprise lead. It was victory in the first world South Korea has yet to win.
The Czech Republic shut good team. It was a great South Korea’s first lead in championship on home The Czechs shared third
out Belarus 3-0, and Den- opportunity for me to go any of its five games. Libor ice. The players sang the place in Group A in Co-
mark closed in on a quar- national anthem after the penhagen with Switzer-
terfinal berth after beat- Patrick Kane, center, of the United States celebrates with match along with the Jyske land, trailing group leader
ing Norway, also 3-0. Also, teammates after scoring a goal during the Ice Hockey World Bank Boxen arena crowd Sweden by three points
Championships group B match between united States and South
France defeated newcom- Korea at the Jyske Bank Boxen arena in Herning, Denmark, mostly wearing red and and Russia by one. Then
er Austria 5-2 to stay in con- Friday, May 11, 2018. white national jerseys. followed Slovakia, France,
tention. Charlie McAvoy, Associated Press Goaltender Frederik An- Austria, and Belarus.q