You might remember Tom Sterner as the former Sr. Halftime Interviewer for the Raptors. He was dismissed after four years of service to the club and Dwane Casey had the following to say about the assistant coaching dismissals:
Did we make mistakes as a coaching staff? Yes. Did we make mistakes as an organization and players making mistakes as players? Yes. We all do. We all are accountable for everything that goes on, but again, big picture, we’re going in the right direction from where we started last year.”
Chemistry on the staff is important. Consistent philosophy, coaches that are energetic and positive, that are willing to work with our young players, to get them better.
Not saying that the guys who left were ‘that’ as far as putting the blame on anyone. The buck stops with me as far as that is concerned.
A positive approach, fitting into our culture that we’re building is huge.
Today Tom Sterner was asked about his experience in Toronto, and listening to the man, you’d think he was a two-term president signing off on his last day in office:
It’s refreshing to know that you had a part in it. The fact that we took a team that really was kind of at the bottom. We took this team through two [bad] seasons and then in the third season we obviously had the success that we did in terms of getting the Raptors back into the playoffs, which is just a tremendous accomplishment for Coach Casey. I mean you talk about a guy with passion, a guy who works hard. His work ethic’s unparalleled in the NBA. He drove everybody – staff, players, front office, everybody to the success that theyve had. So, Coach Casey, everybody should feel really fortunate to have him in Toronto. I know it didn’t end the way we wanted it to this year, but back-to-back division championships, getting into the playoffs – the Raptors will be in great shape again for next year.
I can’t say enough about the organization. Larry Tanenbaum – unbelievable owner, unbelievable owner. I just felt fortunate to be able to work in Toronto for the past four years. So I just want to wish everybody good luck. And the fans…they talk about Golden State fans, forget it, the Toronto fans are the best. They’re the best in the NBA, theyve got Golden State beat. I worked in Golden State and there’s nobody better than fans in Toronto, Canada.
Keep in mind that Sterner is looking for his next job, and this is fairly standard post-firing speak because the last thing you want to do in any profession is slag your previous employer. I don’t know what exactly Tom Sterner’s responsibilities were last season, but it’s hard for me to believe that his firing will move the needle in any direction.
The Raptors are apparently looking at former players to fill assistant coaching positions, and maybe his dismissal was just making some room. The Raptors had six assistant coaches on staff last season, and that doesn’t even count whatever Jamaal Magloire does.
Good luck to Sterner, hope he pulls an Austin Daye and wins a title next year.
