Dwane Casey played a big part in getting the Detroit Pistons back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, leading the team through a huge turnaround and helping them finish 44-38. Now, Casey’s shifted to the front office, where he’s taking on a different kind of leadership. He’s focused on shaping the team’s culture, supporting the coaching staff, and helping build a roster that can keep this success going. While his eyes are firmly on the present and the future, there are still a few former players who haven’t quite let go of old frustrations. Some are still questioning Casey’s role in their past struggles and missed accolades.

Recently, on an episode of Out the Mud Podcast with Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, former Timberwolves player Rashad McCants made some claims (or let’s say accusations?). He said, “Well, I could have led the nation in scoring, bro. I could have been rookie of the year on some that type sh-t, but it’s circumstances sh-t. I have fucking Dwane Casey as my f–king coach, bro” discontent on losing out on the personal honor, and shifting the blame to Dwane Casey.

Rashad McCants had a decent rookie year, no doubt. He played 79 games for the Timberwolves, averaging 7.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in about 17 minutes per game. His shooting was pretty efficient, too, 45% from the field and 37.2% from three. But here’s the thing: even though McCants always claimed he could’ve won Rookie of the Year with more minutes or better coaching, his numbers still didn’t quite match up to the other guys.

Yet, as Tony Allen asked, cracking up, “What’s wrong with Dwayne Casey?” McCants replied, “He had never coached before. He was a rookie. Man, you should have seen that, man.  That man was shaking in the motherf–king huddle and sh-t.” 

To that effect, jitters are valid for Casey as it was Casey’s first NBA head coaching job with the Minnesota Timberwolves, beginning at the start of the 2005–06 NBA season. Casey inherited a struggling roster led by Kevin Garnett but lacking supporting talent, resulting in a 53-69 record (.434 winning percentage) over less than two seasons before he was relieved of his duties 13. The team was in a rebuilding phase, finishing 33-49 in his first full season and 20-20 before his mid-season firing in the next.

Now, Rashad McCants, being no stranger to wild claims, has made yet another wild claim about him being a Rookie of the Year caliber athlete if not for Dwane Casey’s coaching discrepancies. But, there are few redemption stories as good as Casey’s let’s take a look.

Dwane Casey’s second act: How he redeemed himself in Detroit

When Dwane Casey took the reins in Detroit back in 2018, let’s be honest — he had something to prove. His first head coaching job with the Timberwolves years earlier did not exactly end on a high note. And now he was walking into a Pistons franchise that had been stuck in neutral for way too long. But Casey wasted no time making his mark. In his very first season, he led Detroit to a 41-41 record and got them back into the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Even though they got swept by the Bucks in the first round, just getting there felt like a huge win. It was clear Casey was starting to rewrite his story.

After that playoff run, things shifted into rebuilding mode. Instead of chasing quick fixes, the Pistons doubled down on youth, and Casey was the perfect guy to guide them. He helped shape the early careers of Christian Wood, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, and, of course, Cade Cunningham. He gave his young players real minutes, real responsibility, and real belief. At one point, Detroit even made history with three players, Stewart, Bey, and Cunningham, all getting picked for the Rising Stars game. That is no accident. That is a coach building something the right way.

Wins were hard to come by in the rebuild years, but respect? Casey earned that in spades. He created a culture that players bought into, one built on professionalism, hard work, and growth. He kept the locker room steady even when the losses piled up, and that is not easy. After five seasons, Casey eventually moved into a front office role where he is still helping shape the Pistons’ future.

From a rough ending in Minnesota to becoming a respected voice in Detroit, that is redemption done right.