Lenny Wilkens out as head coach

[Guest bob_barron]

TORONTO -- Lenny Wilkens is out as coach of the Toronto Raptors, leaving Thursday by "mutual agreement'' after the worst season of his 30-year NBA career.

 

Wilkens, who owns the league's career coaching records for most victories (1,292) and losses (1,114), went 24-58 this season. Toronto finished seventh in the eight-team Central Division.

 

"I feel like I've got a lot of coaching left in me. I'm going to look at some options,'' the 65-year-old Wilkens said. "I still have a love of the game. I'll be involved one way or another.''

 

He had one season left on his contract with the Raptors, who will pay him what's due after reaching what the team called "a mutual agreement that concludes Wilkens' coaching tenure with the team.''

 

Because of a rash of player injuries, Wilkens never had a full roster to work with this year, his third with the team. All-Star Vince Carter missed nearly half the season with knee and ankle injuries.

 

"It didn't end the way I wanted to,'' Wilkens said. "It has been a most difficult year, very difficult to control injuries.''

 

Toronto never managed to dress 12 players for a game and lost its final eight games, including Wednesday's season-ender against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors had their worst record since going 16-66 in 1997-98.

 

"This season was a disappointment of the highest order for all of us associated with the Toronto Raptors,'' general manager Glen Grunwald said. "In discussions with Lenny about the future direction of the team, it became apparent to both of us that parting company would best serve his interests as well as those of the organization.''

 

After the team's last home game Tuesday night, Grunwald grabbed a microphone to tell the crowd: ``We will not stand for this any longer.''

 

Wilkens set the NBA record for most coaching losses on April 4 against San Antonio, dropping his 1,107th game to pass Bill Fitch.

 

In 1995, Wilkens earned his 939th victory to overtake Red Auerbach for that league record. A year later, Wilkens coached the U.S. Olympic team to the gold medal at the Atlanta Games.

 

A nine-time All-Star as a player, Wilkens was honored in 1997 as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He also made the list of the league's 10 greatest coaches.

 

He and John Wooden are the only two people in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

 

In Wilkens' first season with Toronto, he led the Raptors to a franchise-best 47 regular-season wins. Last season, the Raptors won 12 of their final 14 games -- without Carter -- to qualify for the playoffs, then lost to the Detroit Pistons in the first round.

 

Wilkens also coached Atlanta, Cleveland, Seattle and Portland, winning the 1979 NBA championship with the SuperSonics.

[Guest starvenger]

I can't say I'm surprised. But at least he lasted longer than a season, unlike Brendan Malone, Darrell Walker and Butch (related to Cris, not Vince) Carter.

[Guest bob_barron]

I got a letter saying I could place a $50 deposit and possibly get season tickets.

 

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

[Guest Human Fly]

Lenny will go down as one of the best coaches, but I honestly think the game has past him by. I felt that before he went to Toronto. I know they had a ton of injuries, but please Lenny just go home.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

He's too old. He should just be a special consultant or an assistant coach. I think Mark Cuban has the right idea with his coaches by committee philosophy.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

If i was coaching that lame team I would "mutually agree" to quit too.

 

Lenny may have reached that Flair "You used to be great, now retire before you embaress yourself anymore" level.

[Guest MillenniumMan831]

He should get one last run with The Cavs. I mean what's the worst that can happen? 0-82 . . . believe me, Clevelanders wouldn't be in shock.