Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey has a chance to get him and his staff over to LA to coach the Eastern Conference All-Star team on Feb. 18. The best team in each conference based on the record get its coach to the All-Star game. However, there is an exception to the rule: coaches are not eligible for back-to-back appearances at the All-Star festivities. The Boston Celtics currently hold the number one seed in the East, but head coach Brad Stevens already served as the East's coach last season, with the nod going to the second seed's coach.
As of today, the Raptors hold a four-game advantage over the third seed, the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Miami Heat trailing the Cavs by half a game. If the Raptors manage to keep the second seed until Feb. 4, Casey will be named the conference coach for the All-Star Game. What would coaching the East All-Stars mean to him? Nothing, according to TSN Sports' Josh Lewenberg:
“Nothing. Zero. Nothing at all. I haven’t thought about it. My whole thing right now is winning… I'm boring, I'm old, but that's the way I have to think”
Casey is probably downplaying the possibility of getting the honor. But if he does what he is focused on doing — winning games — then he will consequently be the coach representing the East.
The Raptors schedule until Feb. 4 is not bump-free. They face the Spurs, Timberwolves (twice), Trail Blazers, and Jazz, but should catch some breaks against the Hawks, Lakers, and Grizzlies. If the Cavaliers cannot stop their losing ways soon, it will make the Raptors' job of securing the second seed much easier. However, look out for Miami, as they now won eight of their last nine games and are serious threats to push for the second seed.
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