#4 - Dwane Casey (Toronto Raptors)
The Raptors finished the last two regular seasons with much delight, making the playoffs and improving each time, only for it to all end horribly both times as they could not get past even the first round. Paul Pierce seemingly made it his mission to throw a spanner in their works, two seasons ago with Brooklyn and last year with Washington.
Yet, the Raptors have taken the hits on the chin and under Casey have come back stronger to produce the best season in Raptors franchise history, along with a third successive divisional title and the number two seed in the East behind Cleveland.
Their post-season moves were smart, DeMarre Carroll was signed to boost their defense, but he ended up playing just 26 games due to injury, but Patrick Patterson stepped up. Bismack Biyombo, brought in from Charlotte, has been outstanding in the middle for them, and one of the stars of the season.
Cory Joseph was added to play backup point bringing with him a winning experience from San Antonio. Kyle Lowry came back for pre-season, ripped and in the best shape of his life, to lead his Raptors. He ended up having his career-best season in terms of points per game, 3-point percentage, rebounds and steals.
