Raptors fire Sam Mitchell
Chris Bosh, Dime #33The day after getting cracked by 39 points in Denver, the Raptors (8-9) have fired coach Sam Mitchell, who just two seasons ago won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. Assistant Jay Triano has been named the interim coach.
“This is a difficult but necessary step the franchise must take,” GM Bryan Colangelo said in a news release. “We appreciate all that Sam has done for the organization, applaud him for his successes and wish him nothing but the best with his future in basketball.”
Reading from comments made by Jermaine O’Neal in the Toronto Sun after the Denver loss, you can see what some of the internal issues were:
“I wanted to talk to the guys,” O’Neal said. “It’s important we understand what we’re doing here. This is a business and we get paid a heck of a lot of money to play. If we think we can turn it on and turn it off, we’re fooling ourselves. I’ve been in situations (with Portland and Indiana) where we thought we could do that.
“I haven’t been here long enough to know the character of this team, long-term. I can only talk about the situation now. As players, we have to address it and we have to want to win. We have to basically figure out if we want to win this season or be an average team. That’s what it boils down to.”
Sources: Yahoo! Sports & Toronto Sun
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
s.W.o. 4 Life says:
Bring in Flip Saunders for the O or bring in Avery Johnson for our D
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
j from la says:
BOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
TomGfromCanada says:
I saw it coming but I’m still shocked.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
Hello and Auburn fired Tommy Tubberville!
I am down for anyone else, Avery, Flip, J.V.G., Ewing (lol) or Mark Jackson.
Somewhere Alston is laughing.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:05 pm
loganlight says:
if Avery Johnson doesn’t get this job it is a shame!
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Matthew Del Negro says:
Farewell Sam , we barely knew you !
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
aj says:
Toronto still won’t get out of the first round because of the roster they have. Good luck being Phoenix-lite (a team that looks good but is all fluff and no substance).
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
QUeSt??? says:
shouldnt chris bosh be the ones saying those things instead of jemaine???……it looks to me like o’neal is the lockeroom captain in that team.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
nick says:
I like avery for coach however it seemed he was too controling with dallas. I think mark jackson deserves a chance to coach but doubt he would leave his gig as an announcer same as jvg.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Jau28 says:
flip saunders, eddie jordan, pj carlesimo, avery johnson, are all good choices i think
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Austin Burton says:
PJ Carlesimo? Nahhhhh…
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Scott says:
Its been written on the walls since Colangelo took over. The only reason Mitchell was here this long is because he won the award in Colangelo’s first season here.
Personally I’m glad he’s gone, from everything I’ve heard about him as a person, he’s a great guy, but as a coach, this team wasn’t built to his strengths.
I would love to see Avery get a chance, but keeping with the Colangelo mindset, I don’t think Avery fits at all. Flip on the other hand could do wonders.
If only Jim O’Brien were available, he’d be one of the most ideal coaches for this squad.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens, Colangelo has been fairly savvy in his time here, so its a crapshoot as to where he goes from here.
As for JO and Bosh. I love Bosh, but JO is the elder statesman, remember Bosh is only 24. JO is one of the most well-spoken players I’ve ever heard, when he talks to the media, its insightful, interesting, and driven. He has seriously matured from his ‘nobody can stop me’ rants.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Dagomar says:
Bosh is the best player but he’s simply not a leader. Never was.
This is a painful move but a necessary one. I honestly saw it coming but thought it would be a couple weeks in the future. Sam was NOT a bad coach. Never a great X’s and O’s sort, but a good developer of talent and very popular with the players, even if he was gruff. I hope we bring in Flip Saunders.
Sad.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Three Stacks says:
Mark Jackson should coach this team.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
GoEasy says:
Man, I’d be worried about winning coach of the year awards. They all getting canned. Avery, D’Antoni, now Michell. Next thing you know Jerry Sloan will win it this year and get fired the next. Well, maybe not.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
wiseman says:
nvr saw it comin i think avery would be good
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
kobeef says:
Agree with Scott on this one.
Mitchell was not Colangelo’s pick and it was only a matter of time before BC cracked and hired a coach that fit his design for this team. Also, with the money BC paid out last summer to sign Jose and bring in O’Neal there was no way he was watching this team miss the playoffs.
My guess is Eddie Jordan. Most around the league agree that Jordan is one of the best and his uptempo system would fit this team.
Sam was lucky and not really that good. He inherited an up and coming roster and got credit for it.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
me says:
dang. i didnt think they would do it. they are just one game under 500 but i guess brian c. had it. who ever is going to be the next coach, they better focus on defense n playing tough in the paint cuz that was a major killer for the raps. o well let the next phase begin.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
D.H. says:
Actaully thought to myself this morning, “wow that Raps got cracked last night I wonder if Mitchell’s head is on the block.” Sure enough the axe fell today. I would like to see Flip Saunders get the job. He;s always had a winning record except his first two years in Minni, and yea I think his style could mesh well with the Raps.
As for JO and Bosh . . . Bosh has been leading by example on the court. period. The guy has been bringing it. JO can and should be the more vocal one; aint nothing wrong with that.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
Avery would be perfect for this team, more emphasis on defense. But he lacks offensice creativity, he’s sorta like Mike Brown.
Flip would be good too, but he doesn’t believe in defense. Right now, the Raps need defense.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
northern lights says:
@ TomG … you’re shocked cuz this is the first Toronto GM thats had any balls to fire a garbage coach midseason…
This has been too long coming, and should have happened after that spirit-crushing loss to the Nets a couple weeks ago…Mitchell’s playcalling was atrocious(especially on the 5 second inbound violation) and cost toronto the game… we had to get 40 pieced by the nuggets for the ball to finally drop… Is this worse than getting 81 dropped on your heads by kobe?
side note
@Scott… JO is an incredibly well spoken individual. I listened to an hour long interview on the Fan590 with reporter Norm Rumack (about the malace at the palace) and was blown away by his intelligence and his thoughtful perception of the events that went down. worth checkin’ out if you can find it in the archives — fan590.com
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Raptors-Fanatic says:
I THINK THIS IS THE BIGGEST FUCKING SHIT THAT HAS GONE DOWN IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Lady Luck says:
Hadn’t thought about Eddie Jordan as the replacement, but that might work. Has their ever been a coach to be fired and hired within such a short amount of time? Also I’m for Avery as coach, plus it will get him out of the studio!
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
quint says:
I am glad it is not Mike D’Antoni. I think that was who B.C pined for. After witnessing flip in detroit, I would prefer Avery. I think he could motivate those guys.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Dan says:
I agree with everyone
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
JCARR says:
Raptors could sign the little general Avery Johnson or e-jordan. Sam was a great coach for them, i hope he gets another coaching opportunity (…OKC…)
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Jau28 says:
I agree that the Raptors need a defensive coach but lets face it… the raptors are an offensive team. I think when we have the offense going this team plays harder on defense. We need a coach that can increase our offense versatility and variability. Our offense is too predictable with too many pick and rolls/pops and jumpers. Our defense won’t improve until we get more defensive minded players.
I like Mark Jackson but I want a more experienced coach. I like Eddie Jordan and maybe Avery Johnson. I take back my statements on PJ and Flip.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
jason says:
I personnly like sam mitchell but i think his time was here and i think if they keep losin with the other coaach they get they should trade someone for gerald wallace
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Richard Wellner says:
‘Bout time. I knew this guy couldn’t be a head coach for a pro sport team.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
jnuh says:
Jay Triano is going to coach the team until the end of the season, or at least that’s what Colangelo said in the media conference call they had earlier tonight.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
EL says:
Seriously though, the Raps’ are always gettin murked in the fourth quarter!
Bosh is puttin MVP numbers and Calderon is 2nd in the league with assists. Not only that you got Kapono, the most deadliest 3 point sniper, on the perimeter. Don’t even let me get started with Moon and O’Neals’ game, but you get the point.
Although I give Mitchel props on Coach of the Year a couple years back, he has not yet shown any defensive structure. Especially since your in the same division as Boston, who’s motto is shut down every team you play. I really don’t think Mitchell matured as a coach on the defensive end.
Colangelo should pick up Avery, wait…. fuck that, isn’t Pat Riley currently unemployed.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Stikz says:
Praise God. It has been two long, long years in the making. I am sick and tired of the high screen and roll. Please, please, please Bryan, hire someone who can diagram a play, who can tell the difference between an X and an O. And please bring in someone to show Jamario and Andrea some love.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
s.bucketz says:
sam mitchell looked like a 70s pimp straight up
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Willis says:
Honestly, this was going to happen.
In fact, Colangelo didn’t want him after his first season managing the team, but the dude won Coach of the Year and he wasn’t about to alienate his fan base by firing a COTY.
I’m surprised it took him two years.
I’m thinking Flip would be his guy, but not this season. Probably in the offseason.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
hey says:
it’s not sam mitchels fault, the craptors are just full with crap players except for bosh
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Brown says:
With the roster the way it is, they were expecting Mitchell to turn water into wine. You can’t get a team to play good defense when there are little to no decent defensive players on the team (JO is pretty much the only player able to play defense). Don’t even mention Anthony Parker as the team’s “best perimeter defender,” the dude’s been horrible this season. There’s nothing Sam Mitchell could have done with the team. They have shitty players, and that falls on Brian Colangelo’s shoulders, not Sam’s. They just don’t have a lot of talent, and the talent they do have isn’t a good mix.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Scott says:
@Northern Lights
I’ll definitely see if I can find the archive. Honestly, I’d never heard JO in an interview until he came here. I fully agree, he’s VERY well spoken. I look forward to finding the archive.
And for anyone who questions the talent. The reality is, Mitchell doesn’t fit with this squad, he did get lucky that year, and his luck ran out.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
the rocket cat says:
About a week ago, I wrote at length about what seems to be wrong with the Raptors. I didn’t say it directly, but I very much put the blame at Sam Mitchell’s feet. If anyone cares what I think, they can read it here: http://allintheeyes.com/blog/files/raptor_frustration.html
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
sans says:
When did JO become a vocal leader? Wasn’t that an issue with him with the Pacers?
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
the rocket cat says:
In response to some of the other comments: JO has quickly become one of my favourite players since coming here, which is weird because I used to hate him. He’s clearly one of the smartest guys in the league. He has a great work ethic. I kind of hope he ends up coaching in Toronto one day.
I really think Chris Bosh’s defence has been hindered by bad coaching over the years. Hopefully J.O. can teach him some of the more technical stuff that he clearly hasn’t been taught.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Dave says:
Fair choice
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm
the rocket cat says:
Apparently I post too much when I’m drinking, but one more comment…
I absolutely believe Sam Mitchell could have got more out of our personnel defensively.
Chris Bosh has the physical tools and attitude to be a great defender. He just has terrible technique. That’s coaching.
A year ago, Jamario Moon was a great defender. Today he’s terrible. That’s coaching.
Bargnani has turned into a great post defender at times this year, despite being terrible last year. That might be because he spent the summer working one-on-one someone other than Sam Mitchell. That said, whenever I see Bargnani defending the 3 and Bosh defending the 4, I want to hit someone. Bosh defends smaller players really well. Bargnani, less so.
We may not have a marquis defender at the 2, but we have a lot of bodies. If we cycled Moon, Graham, Parker, and even Kapono, with each playing in short bursts, they should be able to play very aggressive, physical, and intense defence, because foul trouble isn’t an issue and neither is exhaustion. We can throw a lot of different defensive looks at an opposing SG, to keep them off-balance. Also, if our offence had more cutting, especially with our SG running around trying to get open off screens, we could make the opposing team’s SG expend a lot of energy on defence.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:02 am
UKnow says:
Sam should have been fired the day after Kobe dropped 81.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Austin Burton says:
You know who’s disappointed right now?
Vince Carter.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Smitch says:
guys, guys, guys….ya got it all outta context. The blame doesn’t fall on me but the players. THEY DIDN’T MAKE THEIR SHATTS! I kept drawing plays and teaching them during practice but the SHATTS weren’t falling in. This of course spilled over to the game against Denver where if we made our SHATS, I’m pretty sure the box score woulda looked something like 138-134 or who knows, maybe we woulda walked out of Denver with a 140 point win. You see, it all depends on SHATS because Basketball is a game of SHATS. Whatever, I’m just happy Bryan Colangelo gave me a SHATT to coach this great team. I’m going back to Atlanta to enjoy me some pancakes, HOMECOOKED!
Later
December 4th, 2008 at 8:59 am
E$ says:
Please get Chris Bosh out of Toronto
December 4th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Sccob says:
Avery…
December 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Zaddups says:
Smitch…
that was a great comment.
I too hated to hear Smitch talk about “Shatts” in the post-game scrums…
Some of Sam’s best lines:
“They just made more Shatts than we did”
“We just didn’t make shatts tonight.”
“we couldn’t get our shatts to drop”
“now…guys”
“that’s why they’re world champs”
“I tell my guys all the time”
“we couldn’t make threes”
“they made threes”
“I tell my guys to box out all the time”
So long Sammy…
December 4th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
bdubb says:
idc who coaches they better make the playofs and sam mitchell was a good coach and whoevr coaches better focus on d jo is the only good defender on the team
December 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
BSK23 says:
Good post @ rocketcat
THANK GOD THE SAM MITCHELL ERA IS OVER….how many games have raptors lost in the final minutes, simply because of bad coaching. Mitchell doesn’t know how to teach a standard defence system either. Whenever watching raptor games its almost as if they have 2-3 plays max..Bosh sets high screen..J.O and bosh both set high screen for parker and kapono to curl out or bosh iso from the wings.
Colangelo I applaud you for finally doing this. That COY award gassed mitchell/the league thinking that he was something worth 4 mill+ a year.
As far as Avery Johnson, definatly not a good candidate…why? anyone who can take a Top contender/60+win team and turn them into what they are now definatly doesn’t deserve to work in the NBA.I’d put Flip in this category too, but he’s not as bad as A.J.
Jeff Van Gundy, or someone with legit playoff experience would only make sense. Raptors are no longer a rebuilding team. We got to work with what we have. New coach and a legit perimeter defender and raps are a LEGIT contender in the east at least.