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KD's praise of Lowry, DeRozan makes Casey feel like 'proud daddy'

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Toronto Raptors fans were already well aware of the All-Star caliber play and comic relief provided by the backcourt camaraderie between Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but a deep postseason run in Toronto and their Olympic gold medals with Team USA have opened some eyes outside of The 6ix.

"It makes you feel good. It makes you feel like a proud daddy," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said Wednesday of the positive attention the pair have received, specifically from All-NBA forward Kevin Durant.

"Those two guys represent the organization, the city. People talk about Toronto. They weren't talking about that six years ago. They were talking about 'woe is me.' Now we're talking a different outlook. We still have work to do, but the conversation has changed, and thanks a lot to those two men and what they've accomplished and what we've done building here."

Related: DeRozan drops 40 on Pistons in season opener

Casey, who on Wednesday became the first head coach in Raptors history to enter a sixth season with the club, has coached DeRozan for all six of those years, with Lowry joining the fold in 2012. Over the last three seasons, the trio has guided the team to three consecutive franchise records for wins (48, 49, 56), and led the Raptors to their first-ever Eastern Conference finals appearance last spring.

As for what's next for Lowry and DeRozan, Casey hinted at some possible recruiting.

"Now they have to go out and bring some guys like that back to Toronto."

While the initial question Casey responded to pertained to Durant's praise, the veteran coach was sure to avoid any talk of tampering with the newest Warrior. "I can't say any names," he joked.

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