Sam Mitchell: COY

[SoSueMe]

So, Sam Mitchell is officially the NBA's Coach of the Year.

Even as a Raps follower and fan, I'm not sold on this guy. Rumour has it a bidding war for his services could errupt between the Raps and Bobcats because Mitchell's contract expires this summer.

I think he's done good things. I think he deserves credit. But I think the East is week and a better coach could have got even more out of this team.

What coaches are available? Does anyone think Sam stays? Leaves? Will Colangelo hire his "own guy?"

 

[Bob Cook]

He could be like Joe Girardi -- honored for his work, then immediately canned.

I wouldn't be shocked, given how Maurizio Gherardini has greased the path from Bennetton Treviso to Toronto, if the next coach is a Euro. Probably Ettore Messina or Zelimir Obradovic, two coaches Gherardini named on his blog as among the best coaches he ever dealt with in Europe (Mike D'Antoni was the third). Although if any Raptors thought Sam Mitchell got too intense, they're going to be shocked by either of those guys. Especially Obradovic, who I believe melted down after his Serbian team had a disappointing finish in the 2006 worlds. If they keep the Italian connection but go for a coach with U.S. experience, it's Marc Iavaroni.

However, none of them wears a suit as well as Mitchell.

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Quite a reversal of fortune for a guy who a year ago was lucky to even have a job.

I don't know how he is now, but I dealt with him a few times back when he was an assistant and he was a pretty good guy.

 

[mannheimadler]

I'm not saying Mitchell didn't do an awesome job and doesn't deserve it.

But I have to wonder when Jerry Sloan will finally get his due. The guy is easily the best coach never to win the award.

I wonder if the Jazz had finished stronger if he would have won it. He was only about 90 votes behind Mitchell.

 

[SoSueMe]

Sloan is taxed by having to play in the West. Mitchell reaps the benefits of having to play in the East.

 

[mannheimadler]

Good point.

There's no secret that a young Jazz team wore down toward the end of the season.

Of course, Sloan should have won the award long ago, say like 1997-98 when the Jazz had the best record in the league.

Oh well.

 

[celtics_apologist]

Sam Mitchell might be in the running for Most Improved Coach, but not COY. I'd give it to Sloan.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

I was amused disgusted to see some doofus gave Isaiah Thomas a third place vote. Sheesh.

 

[Cansportschick]

Being from Canada, I am really happy that the Raptors were somehow rewarded for the season that they had. However, I would say that Bryan Colangelo has more to do with the success of the Raptors than Mitchell did. Colangelo put together a new and improved team and deserves the credit. Mitchell's days were numbered last season. Colangelo should be GM of the year for his work.

However, I am happy that the Raptors have made the playoffs for the first time in five years and it would be quite the "cinderella" story if they go really deep in the playoffs.

 

[EE94]

Being from Canada, I am really happy that the Raptors were somehow rewarded for the season that they had. However, I would say that Bryan Colangelo has more to do with the success of the Raptors than Mitchell did. Colangelo put together a new and improved team and deserves the credit. Mitchell's days were numbered last season. Colangelo should be GM of the year for his work.

However, I am happy that the Raptors have made the playoffs for the first time in five years and it would be quite the "cinderella" story if they go really deep in the playoffs.

The GM provides the parts, the coach has to make them work.
Mitchell took a roster that was completely over-hauled, had numerous language and cultural differences and made them cohesive. Also, there was no whining this year, even from a Morris Peterson who was relegated to the bench.
Mitchell did a hell of a job, you have to give him credit

 

[leo1]

mitchell was a terrific interview when he was a player. he seemed like a stand-up guy. can anyone who still covers the NBA chime in as to whether he's still a good guy?

 

[Sea Bass]

He's still a very good interview. He's the Wednesday morning guest every week on the FAN590 in Toronto, and has a hell of a lot of fun with the two hosts. They don't know a heck of a lot about basketball and Mitchell lets them know that every chance he gets.

 

[SoSueMe]

He's still a very good interview. He's the Wednesday morning guest every week on the FAN590 in Toronto, and has a hell of a lot of fun with the two hosts. They don't know a heck of a lot about basketball and Mitchell lets them know that every chance he gets.

Does anyone at that station? I was happy to move within range, but I listened to the station for about a week and haven't tuned in since. Brutal. Just brutal.

 

[JR]

He's still a very good interview. He's the Wednesday morning guest every week on the FAN590 in Toronto, and has a hell of a lot of fun with the two hosts. They don't know a heck of a lot about basketball and Mitchell lets them know that every chance he gets.

Does anyone at that station? I was happy to move within range, but I listened to the station for about a week and haven't tuned in since. Brutal. Just brutal.

Hell, most of them don't know anything about hockey.

 

[SoSueMe]

He's still a very good interview. He's the Wednesday morning guest every week on the FAN590 in Toronto, and has a hell of a lot of fun with the two hosts. They don't know a heck of a lot about basketball and Mitchell lets them know that every chance he gets.

Does anyone at that station? I was happy to move within range, but I listened to the station for about a week and haven't tuned in since. Brutal. Just brutal.

Hell, most of them don't know anything about hockey.

Well said.

 

[jakewriter82]

Sam Mitchell's probably a good coach, but this should be Don Nelson's award.
Granted he had a healthy Baron Davis for the first time ever, but still the Warriors haven't made the playoffs since 1994. Then they went out and surprised Dallas in game 1 in the first round after sweeping them in the regular season.
Toronto made the playoffs in the east, but so did the pathetic Orlando Magic and the a Washington Wizards team without Butler or Arenas..

 

[RokSki]

Sam Mitchell might be in the running for Most Improved Coach, but not COY. I'd give it to Sloan.

I'd have given it to Sloan or Van Gundy. Hou did an excellent job when Yao went down

 

[thebiglead]

Would anyone be surprised if Mitchell was fired?

 

[GB-Hack]

Would anyone be surprised if Mitchell was fired?

Yes. He did a fine job this year, and this team is only going to get better next year with Bargnani playing a bigger role and Bosh becoming a fully fledged star. While Colangelo might be tempted to bring in "his own man" he'd be making a mistake.

 

[thebiglead]

I think Mitchell is cooked.
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/sports/sportsmonday/story.html?id=dfcb3614-ec1c-4efb-a406-23c4026417c4

Colangelo is the brightest young mind in the NBA today. He'll bring in his guy Iavaroni from Phoenix, clean house like he did in Phoenix, and build another power.

What will he do about the Raptors not having a draft pick in this strong draft? I don't see much trade bait, but you can sure he's got something cooking. If I'm a GM and he calls, I'm not answering.