Let’s try that play where DeMar ISOs against Paul George

Dwane Casey is nothing but loyal. That can either be a blessing or a curse.

It’s been clear since Game 2 that DeRozan should be minimized. The match-up with Paul George is a dead end, and the Raptors have proven that they can win without relying on DeRozan to soak up a third of their possessions.

But after three games of futility, DeRozan continues to get the ball in the same spots, in the same match-ups, producing the same results.

DeRozan took 15 shots and committed six turnovers in Game 4. He scored eight points and didn’t attempt a single free throw in 33 minutes and was a minus-14. He couldn’t generate any quality offense, nor could he reliably defend or distribute. He continues to give the team absolutely nothing.

The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again, but expecting different results. There’s more than enough evidence that DeRozan isn’t some savior, but Casey keeps praying.

It would be one thing if the Raptors didn’t have other options. But there’s Jonas Valanciunas, who has been nothing short of a wrecking ball tearing down the Pacers’ interior, getting just seven shots in Game 4. There’s the benching of Norman Powell in Game 3 after a stellar showing. There was the substitution of DeRozan for Cory Joseph in Game 1 that ultimately swung the game.

It doesn’t matter how well others perform, it doesn’t matter how much DeRozan shits the bed. It’s his series to lose no matter what.

To be fair, it’s important to remember that DeRozan has earned Casey’s trust. He’s been the tireless worker that’s been a model leader for the team. He’s been with the club since Chris Bosh‘s last days, he lived through the hopeless Yung Gunz era — and because he worked so hard, Casey gave DeRozan the time and touches to eventually develop into an all-star. They have each other to thank.

But how far should loyalty go? Should it supercede the best interests of the team?

After the debacle in Game 4, Casey bit the bullet on DeRozan’s behalf. He wasn’t giving him enough help with the clipboard.

“I’ve got to do a better job of getting DeMar quick, cleaner looks, to get him open a little bit better. I’ve got to figure out another way to try to get him better looks,” Casey said. “We’ve got to have (DeRozan) playing at a high level to have a chance to win this series. It’s up to me and the staff to come up with something. We kinda had it figured out the last few games but we gotta go back to the drawing board again to get him cleaner looks.”

There’s that loyalty again from Casey. He’s stuck by DeRozan for this long, and he sure as shit isn’t about to get off the ride now. That much is clear.

But just know this: another first-round flameout will not be tolerated. Not only should the team be overhauled, the franchise would have to buy back the trust of the fanbase. Because if 56 wins isn’t even enough, if two all-stars isn’t enough, if facing off against the 7-seed isn’t enough — then what is? A lot would need to change for fans to buy in on this team once more.

DeRozan might still get retained because stars — even flawed ones who can’t elevate their games in the playoffs — are hard to come by. But coaches are a dime a dozen, so if a scapegoat needs to be cast aside, Casey’s unguaranteed contract makes for an easy target.

Changes will be made if the Raptors fall short. And if Casey remains blindly loyal to DeRozan, Casey better hope against hope that DeRozan somehow turns it around.