Former Canadian National Coach Becomes First Canuck NBA Bench Boss
Posted February 13, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s almost too perfect.
Jay Triano once led the Canadian men’s basketball team, and with Raptors coach Sam Mitchell taking a leave of absence, the Ontario native will head up Canada’s only NBA team Wednesday night, making him the first Canadian to ever coach an NBA game.
That the game pits Triano’s Raptors against former star Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets is just the icing on the cake, though he’s not interested in dessert just yet.
“I guess at some point I’ll look back and say, ‘Yeah, it was a big day to be a head coach in the NBA for a day,'” Triano admitted, implying the time for reflection would have to wait.
Still, modesty aside, the longtime assistant’s move isn’t lost on any of the team’s players as they suit up for a final time ahead of the all-star break.
“He’s pretty excited about it,” said forward Jamario Moon, who will be participating in the annual Slam Dunk competition during the festivities in New Orleans. “He had a little bit of pep in his step at walkthrough.”
Triano’s years at the helm of Basketball Canada have certainly prepared him for the big stage, though he says fans shouldn’t expect any major changes during the one night engagement.
“We’ve done things through a system and we’ve done things all year the same way,” he insists. “ Really there’s not much change other than the absence of Sam.”
The players agree. Sort of.
“The only difference between him and Sam is that Sam is more of a yeller, screamer,” said Toronto’s lone all-star Chris Bosh. “Jay’s more laid back but they both get the same message across in different ways.”
Meanwhile, after Wednesday it’s off to the Big Easy for four Dinos. Bosh is the only one suiting up Sunday night, but Moon will be dunking and playing in the Rookie/Sophomore game against second-year teammate Andrea Bargnani. Sharpshooter Jason Kapono will be defending his three-point shooting title.
“I’m going to come out and do what I’m supposed to do, bring that trophy back to Toronto,” the charismatic Moon said.
Toronto ‘s first game after the all-star break is next Wednesday when they host the Orlando Magic to kick off the second half of the season.
