Garrett Temple’s time as a Toronto Raptor, and as an NBA player, has come to and end after Marc Stein announced Saturday afternoon that Temple had agreed to join the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant coach.
Temple, who played for the Raptors the past three years, ends his career after 17 seasons, 16 of which were in the NBA, and one overseas. While it was largely expected that last season could be Temple’s last as a player, there was also a hope that he would transition into a coaching or front office role with the Raptors.
After all, his legacy in Toronto has been much more off the court rather than on it. In his three seasons he played a total of 589 minutes on the court, but his impact off the court was immense.
From the conga line before every game.
“I just knew I was dancing,” Temple told me. “I was always dancing. And Jamal (Shead) started putting his hands on my shoulders, but I didn’t know it was an actual conga line until we were in (Atlanta) and (Lindsay Dunn of Citytv) showed me the video. I didn’t know everything that was happening behind me. I thought it was me and Jamal. I was so locked in.”
To the conversations behind the scenes, the Raptors understood the value that having a veteran like Temple brought to a young team still growing and evolving. The players commended him every chance they had, praising his leadership and his role in bringing the team together.
There is no doubt that Temple is ready to take the jump to a full-time coach, and his ability to bridge the gap between the players and the rest of the coaching staff will be much needed for first-time NBA coach Dusty May, who is making the jump from the NCAA after leading the Michigan Wolverines to the National Championship this past season.
Best of luck to Temple, and congratulations on a long, successful career.
