Detroit Pistons Exit Interviews: Players Credit Dwane Casey For Growth

The Detroit Pistons held a season in review media session to close out the 2022-23 year. Despite the season not going according to plan in terms of health and wins, the player development goals were met.

Players like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey have all grown in ways critical to the rebuild. It’s been a constant refrain from Troy Weaver from the seasons start and continued throughout.

Cade Cunningham on Dwane Casey:
“More than anything I’m glad he’s still around. I’m happy I can still talk to him, I really enjoy coach Casey. He knows so much about the game. Having him around has been great for me and I look forward to having him around.”#Pistons #NBA
— Brandon Dent | @WoodwardSports #DetroitKoolAid (@DetroitKoolAid) April 10, 2023

“A lot of times, people want to look for all the answers outside the building. Internal growth is huge for us,” Weaver said. “You wonder why teams take these jumps? The players on those teams took jumps. We’re hoping that our players in-house can continue to grow and develop at a pace that allows us to push and grow and compete, and then contend the way we want to.”

Player development was the theme of Casey’s last few press conference of the season, with Jaden Ivey as the jewel to crown the season a success.

He said “developing Jaden Ivey was the top goal of the season,” after the last home game and continued speaking to the years objectives.

“It’s a teaching year now. Next year is a year that guys got to start looking, ‘Okay, I don’t get my job done, I’m not playing’,” Casey continue. “This year is playing through mistakes and holding guys accountable, but yet you still letting them play through the mistakes.”

Cade Cunningham shared the most about the impact Casey has had on his game.

“It was one of those moments for me, but more than anything glad he’s still around,” Cunningham said. “I’m happy I can still talk to him, I really enjoy coach Casey. He knows so much about the game and has seen so much. Having him around has been great for me and I look forward to having him around.”

Players on Casey’s Impact

A pair of Pistons bigs really sung the praises of former head coach Dwane Casey to start their media session.

Marvin Bagley was first up to the podium for season ending exit interviews. Among things he cited as most positive were ending the season healthy, and Dwane Casey.

“Coach Casey and the staff did the best they could,” Bagley said. “I enjoyed my time here under Casey. I’m happy for Casey and wish him the best in this next journey.”

Isaiah Stewart, affectionately known as Beef Stew, credited Casey for the growth in his game and the team.

“I thank coach Casey, he helped me with that. Allowing me to grow through my mistakes. To have him as a first coach you know is a blessing. He knew how to work with us.”

Cade Cunningham expressed joy and gratitude for his only NBA head coach. And while he is sad to see him go as coach, he and the team are ecstatic Casey will still be a Piston.

“More than anything I’m glad he’s still around. I’m happy I can still talk to him, I really enjoy coach Casey. He knows so much about the game. Having him here has been great for me and I look forward to having him around.”

Cade Cunningham:
“Next year is the year for us.” #Pistons #NBA pic.twitter.com/x3j9yJuDRk
— Brandon Dent | @WoodwardSports #DetroitKoolAid (@DetroitKoolAid) April 10, 2023

What the Organization is Saying

The Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores released a statement on Dwane Casey expressing appreciation for his time as coach and the road ahead.

“Dwane Casey has done everything we asked of him since the beginning of our partnership, both as a coach and a tremendous mentor and person,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “Our organization and the young men he has been leading are very fortunate to have had his guidance and support. We are grateful for his steady hand as head coach during these important development years, and we are excited to have his wisdom and experience in the front office as we enter the next phase.