WASHINGTON, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Despite a shock exit from the NBA playoffs, Toronto Raptors' coach Dwane Casey believes that he is still a part of the future with the Raptors, saying that he "has not heard anything different" on Wednesday.
A 59-win season, the best in team history, came to a crashing, sudden halt for the Toronto Raptors on Monday in Cleveland. The Game 4 loss to the Cavaliers ended the Raptors' series in the Eastern Conference semifinals, halting hopes of a run to the Finals.
Casey has overseen Toronto's string of five straight playoff trips, but that success didn't quiet talk that perhaps Casey could be on his way out of Toronto after the team's loss to Cleveland. The Raptors lost to the Cavs for a third straight season.
"Nobody has told me differently," the coach said. "Until now I'm here still fighting. I'm still here."
"I don't expect a vote of confidence. I've read all the articles, texts, all this stuff. I understand what's been said. I'm not in the dark, but I'm not looking for a vote of confidence because I haven't heard anything different."
Casey also said he recognizes how the criticism falls on him after the type of series Toronto endured.
"It's part of the business," Casey said. "I've been through it. I know what we've accomplished and how the basketball world respects what we're doing. I'm not running from it. I'm an easy target. But I don't feel sorry for myself."