Jump Ball – The Mitchell Conundrum

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST in Feature Stories

A lot of talk has gone on this season about coach Sam Mitchell and whether or not he'll be retained come season's end. On one side, he appears to be a coach of the year candidate and on the other, the team still struggles at times with the "X's and O's"…

Franchise: I'm going to set this off by saying that I have no idea how GM Bryan Colangelo can not give Sam a new contract after the season.

He's proven that with more talent, he can take this team where in previous years, it could not go.

Howland: Well on the flip side Colangelo has done a ton of stuff that was mind boggling at the time it was done, but has worked out. He traded CV Smooth, he drafted Bargnani, and brought over a bunch of guys with little or no experience. What does this tell us? No-one can have any idea how or why Colangelo could let Mitchell walk when his contract runs out, but he may just do that. The thing with BC is that if he thinks another coach is out there who can make the team better, he will not hesitate to make the move.

That's why there is no talk about an extension yet. BC is going to wait it out until he has to make the decision, look at what is around and then make the best decision for the club in his mind.

You just get the feeling that Colangelo is the kind of guy that will do whatever it takes to win.

Franchise: Ok, so I suppose the next logical question then is, who else is out there to choose from?

Howland: Well here is where he may have a hard time selling a move to the fan base as there aren’t a lot of big names out there…

Franchise: Hmm...but the TJ Ford trade like you said was also a hard sell. Give me some options on coaches who are available?

Howland: hmmm...obviously Iavaroni, also Adelman, and perhaps even some Euroleague coach we’re not very familiar with like David Blatt.

Franchise: But is there anyone in particular you'd like to see coach this team? I mean, if you're going to say that Sam's services shouldn't be retained, then who steps in, Leo Rautins?

Howland: I was thinking of hiring the whole RapsTV crew, together they would share the basketball knowledge of Don Cherry.

In all seriousness you have to look at this team and see where it is deficient. Defence? - although part of that is preparing your players. How about X's and O's on a whole? Sam is weak there as well. Guys that immediately come to mind for me are Stan van Gundy and Rick Adelman. Both have had good experience in the league and Adelman has been around Euro players and teams with similar talent levels.

You can't tell me that Sam has done no wrong here.

Franchise: No, but you can't tell me Adelman is the solution either. His Sacramento teams may have played LESS defence than the current Raptors!

I think part of this comes down to Colangelo's patience. Mitchell is a young coach. Just like some of his players, he's still learning the ropes and improving but looks to have the makings of a solid NBA head coach. I'd argue that your assistants should be your X and O guys at this level while your head coach should be the best communicator. I think Sam does a great job of this and has his players’ respect. So perhaps Colangelo needs to bring in some more defensive minded assistants like Virginia's John Beilein?

Does that put an end to the entertaining Jim Todd halftime interviews? Perhaps. But I just don't see anyone out there right now who you can safely say is a better pick than Sam. Iavoroni? That seems more of a "grass is greener on the other side" type of solution...

Howland: Yeah I can't really say Iavoroni would be better than Sam in helping this team reach its potential. But really, potential is what it is all about. Colangelo has to look at this team and ask, "Who is the best coach for helping our young team develop into a title contender?" A green coach with green players just doesn't seem like the best idea. Sure Mitchell has his good points, in particular that the guys seem to like him, but what else can they learn from him other than bring a lunch pail to work everyday?

Mitchell is still learning and I think Colangelo would like to have someone in charge that can teach and still have the players respect.

Besides Mitchell is basically one of the last parts of the Babcock regime that has not been totally removed.

Franchise: Right...so I guess Chris Bosh is on the way out the door next...

The tricky thing here is that obviously Colangelo is happy with the job Sam's done...otherwise he would have been gone a while ago.

And if BC offers Sam anything less than a three-year deal, it's a slap in the face. It would be like saying to a girl who you just went on a date with: "well, you're pretty hot...but I still think I can do better."

BC has made a few tough moves so far so I don't see him hesitating in removing Mitchell if he feels that's the best option. But right now based on the improvement this team has made, how seamlessly the new players have fit together, the improved defence, (cough, for the most part with the exception of these past few games) the growth of the team (Bosh continues to improve under Mitchell - something paramount to the team's success) and Mitchell's ability to relate and communicate - he should be rewarded with a new deal at season's end.

Howland: I agree that if you extend a new contract it has to be for a minimum of three years. I said this a while ago and I will say it again, in my mind it comes down to the playoffs and how the Raps perform. The thing that makes this decision really tough is that it is impossible to evaluate how much Sam has developed as a coach this year. The talent that he has to coach is so much better than last year that maybe the swing in fortune is simply a result of better players and has nothing to do with better coaching. It is possible that with a more experienced coach that this team would be even further ahead of the curve!

Franchise: That's a scary thought considering how much better the team is already - but you make a good point nonetheless.

Jack Armstrong was talking coach of the year candidates tonight on RapsTV and it made me think of the award, and then coaching as a whole. Judging coaches is somewhat subjective.

Would the Mavs still be creaming the league if Sam Mitchell was their head coach and had been in that system for a few years?

Dallas certainly has the talent...

And take the Nets.

I truly believe that Lawrence Frank is an amazing coach...but how does that team, injuries or no injuries, have that poor a record?

I think that in the end Sam's shown the improvement to warrant a new contract. His rotation decisions have been 90 times less upsetting to me this year, Toronto usually runs great plays out of time-outs this season as opposed to last (except when TJ decides to go one on five) and these things to me add up to an improving coach who is the best suited candidate for this club going forward.

Sure Iavoroni has all the buzz...

...but so did numerous other coaches who've since come and gone in the league…

Howland: I completely agree that evaluating coaching is subjective. Guys who I think have done a great job this year are Phil Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and believe it or not Terry Stotts. I guess at the end of the day I think there will likely be better coaches available who would love to coach this team. Mitchell has been solid, but why not try and get someone even better? What that is? That's hard to say but I believe that when push comes to shove, Colangelo will seek out someone with experience.

Mitchell doesn't have that right now and I wonder if that won't come back to bite the team in the end. I realize it sounds like an argument you hear when you don't get a job, "We are looking for more experience" and of course the only way to get that experience is to get the job, but that's reality.

Franchise: Man, you've been through some tough job interviews haven’t you?

Well obviously we’re not going to agree on this topic. And I’m definitely not going to go along with the whole "we'll see how things go in the playoffs" rationale. Of all the arguments to base a "keep or let Sam go" decision on, is the stupidest of them all. Sam Mitchell has never been the head coach of an NBA playoff team before so what are you measuring him against? Not to mention, neither have his players for the most part so if they don't perform and the team folds in Round 1, does that necessarily mean that Mitchell has to go? Of course not.

Instead, I think BC makes a decision based on his gut. If he truly feels there's someone else out there who can do an even better job with this club, regardless of the team's improvement and Sam's job this year, well that's the bottom line. And based on the job Colangelo has done so far, I can live with that.

Howland: I actually agree with that. My gut tells me there are better coaches for this team out there and I think in the end Colangelo’s will too.

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Comments

you guys both make excellent points. but for me, above everything, colangelo has always talked about consistency and creating stability for the organization as a whole. and in that light, I could very easily see him bringing sam back. especially if they do well in the playoffs. and that's the one point I don't agree with you about franchise. I don't see how you can't take that into consideration. I agree that if they go one and done, it's not necessarily a good reason to let sam go, but it's a reason none the less.

and you can't say that if they manage to do well, say the 2nd round or better, that keeping sam wouldn't do a lot for the stability of the organization, and wouldn't maintain a certain momentum going into following season.

to do well in the playoffs and then come back next season to start all over again with a new coach, though I'm sure won't kill the players, certainly wouldn't help them all that much either.

thanks again for the great post!

by papa on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Of all things, it seems to me hardest to know how good a coach is from waht you see on TV. They give platitudes and vagaries in interviews and you don't get to hear what they say in huddles, the locker room and practice which is really where they eran their money. Not to mention that they don't play in the games, so when mistakes are made, it's hard to blame the coach 90% of the time. That said, if a coach crumbles under pressure(kevin o'neil), how can the players stay composed? It seems like coaches can make a team lose consistently, but they really can't make them win consistently either.

All that bs said, I think mitchell has shown that he can stay calm under pressure, not panic, know who to yell at and who not to and when to do it. I wouldn't have said that about him last year, no way.

I'd say keep him if we had anybody but colangelo as GM, but I'd put money on his gut feeling any day. Although I'd hate to see adelman or some other old NBA coach. We know what they can/can't do already.

by axl on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

papa: I don't think colangelo is talking about stability. This is the guy who kept all of 4 players from last year's team.

He wants to transform this team into something that he really likes, and THEN keep it stable.

Looking at D'Antoni, Diaw, and Bargnani, there is no question that Colangelo is willing to buck convention and make the move he feels is right. For that reason, I don't believe that he would hire Adelman.

I bet he'll pull some random name of some random coach that we've never heard of, and unearth yet another diamond from the rough. That's the Colangelo style.

by raptorman on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I believe Sam Mitchell has done a tremendous job with this Raptors team. With 9 or whatever the number was, new players on this team, he kept the ship afloat, and ultimately turned the team into legit playoff contenders. I have question regarding some of the other supposed coaching canditates for this team, Is there any coach out there, whether it be Marc Iavaroni, or a stan van gundy, that is a better communicator than Sam Mitchell? I don't know how those coaches I mentioned communicate or run the team, but I do know Sam is terrific communicator. So as Franchise said, why not get a quality veteran X's and O's guy as an assistant for Sam Mitchell. That might be the best option.

by Sandeep on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Franchise is da man. The grass is always greener...

I like Sam Mitchell's growth over the last three years. If he gets the Raps into the playoffs and they make a good showing he should definitely get an extension. Why?

Cuz results count. He's never been to the playoffs before but it's not his fault past teams stunk. Reward him for what he's done this year with 9 new players and give him a chance to go on.

Exprience. Sam is still green but he knows the Raptors. An "experienced" Euro coach would still be a rookie NBA coach? An "experienced NBA coach" would be great but who? You can't go by credentials alone. Doc Rivers is an experienced NBA coach who has a COY award but do you hire him? NO! Adelman, Iavoroni or Van Gundy? What have they won?

Tactics. Is Sam the best x's and o's coach. No, but Franchise has a point. Frank is good at x's and o's coach but the Nets lick. Injuries aside they were bad when they were healthy. It takes more than a good tactician to be a good coach.

Attitude. Sam has chemistry with the team and doesn't take crap (see ya Vince). He doesn't rattle as easy as he used to unlike some of the nervous nellies that post on this site. Yeah, Sometimes his cavalier attitude can be a pain but compared to Phil Jackson?

Consistency. BC can always hire a defensive minded assistant like Franchise stated. A new head coach better walk on water or they'll have to listen to choruses of "They let Sam go for you"?

Yeah, yeah I know. If they had a better coach they would win the Eastern Conference this year, and we'd have peace in the Middle East and if you're grandma had balls she'd be your grandpa.

Peace

by Todd on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Also, I would like to know how Iavoroni is as a coach. What is his personality like? Is he a motivator or he an strategic-type coach? If someone who knows about Marc Iavaroni can enlighten us on how he is like a coach, that would be great.

by Sandeep on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Is there any chance we can get Iavoroni to be Sam's assistant? That way we can have all the benefits of his presence (which I assume to include the required X + O's) while also keeping Sam? It would give the team greater depth on the coaching staff, and if Sam falters, a natural replacement would already be available from within.

Or is Iavoroni only going to want to leave his current situation for a head coaching gig?

by Bedhead on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I'd say we keep Sam Mitchell for one more year at least. The team is progressing pretty well up to this point, so unless they bring in a guy who is indisputably much better than him (doesn't seem likely), a coach change would produce unnecessary tensions and be too much of a risky bet.

Also I'm not a big fan of mitchell, but it seems fair to give him at least one more year after this succesful turnaround season.

by Sergi P on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Bedhead - I had similar thoughts in regards to Iavoroni. However there's two problems with bringing him in as an assistant:

1) It sounds like he wants a head coaching gig.

2) His hiring as an assistant would be like the situation in New York last year where the media was just waiting for Isiah to take over as head coach...Mitchell would be viewed as a sitting duck under the assumption that Iavoroni is who BC really wants. And futhermore I don't think Mitchell would sign a new deal under those circumstances.

As for a little more on Iavoroni...that article will have to wait till we get closer to year end :)

by Franchise on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I get the feeling that we'll be forced to keep Sam Mitchell for at least a couple more seasons. But, I'm not quite convinced that he deserves another contract. I think people tend to understate his strategical shortcomings, because of how he's built chemistry with this roster. Our offense is far too simplistic and when teams make adjustments (eg: doubling/tripling Bosh, denying Calderon the drive, Chicago playing a zone defense) he almost never recognizes and responds to it. A lot of the time, I feel we're coasting by the natural talent of our players and the fact that most of our Euro's can improvise when the play breaks down. We've given him a pass for the last 2 seasons because our team was so crappy, but suddenly people seem to contradict themselves by giving him too much credit for the play of our deep roster.

I think Mitchell's going to expose himself in a 7-game playoff series. Especially if we play Indiana or Chicago.

by pVr on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

everyone is a winner in a bull market, Sam Mitchell included. Wow, very good find on Blatt -- the Treviso connection is suspiciously there. Gheradini could pull him over MAYBE as assistant.

This is a three horse race:
Mitchell, Iavaroni, Blatt. I don't think that the lack of NBA head coach experience of the latter two matters because this iteration of the Raptors will be in place for three more years.

by dkmo on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Great conversational topic!! I have said it before. I don't think Sam and his staff can take us to a championship. They are out coached on a nightly basis. Thank God we have some good pieces to the puzzle right now (with some players). Some more moves are needed. But we are very poor defensively, rebounding, offensively, transitions. Players have to take a hit on those basics, but not teaching it...come on.

What sam is good at is, telling it like it is. He doesn't pull any punches with the guys. He is one of the guys. He seems to be liked by everyone. But that alone doesn't make a great coach. It is a great characteristic, but not the only one.

by jay on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

If Mitchell does not resign with the raptors, where do you guys think he will end up? I think Charlotte will beat out Minnesota, Milwalkee for his services.

by Sandeep on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Sandeep has the right question. I personally don't think Sam wants to come back to Toronto. I don't think he likes or respects the press here. He is basically where Mike James was last season, trying to showcase himself for a good contract somewhere else.

As for destinations, I've heard Charlotte too many times to discount it, but Minny is a good bet, too. Maybe KG is asking for him.

by AJ on Mar 9, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

A possibly decisive factor in favour of keeping Sam may be having Wayne Embry in his corner - and Colangelo's respect for Embry.

by DC on Mar 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Given the circumstances and the general respect Smitch seems to have garneredin the league, I suspect that if BC wants a change something will be arranged so that nobody loses face. For example, he brings in Iavoroni and Blatt - but also (perhaps with Embry's help) helps organize a spot for Sam elsewhere (maybe Minnesota, where he played for so long). iow, there may well be a change, but there will be no slap in the face.

by D on Mar 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, I dare say Sam is sitting pretty no matter what happens, he won't need Colangelo to arrange his next gig. He is a young, up and coming coach that is being mentioned as coach of the year. Kinda reminds me of Terry Porter.

As for the Raps, If Smitch stays, that will be fine. The consistency and stability and all that. Eventhough we will probably have to sign him to a 3 year contract, we can always fire him if we don't improve.

Still I think it IS time for us to move on. Most coaches in the NBA (not named Sloan) have around a 3 year life anyways. I just don't think this team has much more to learn from Smitch. He has turned them into a hard working club that never gives up and respects the game. We NEEDED a coach to come in and do that. Now I think we need something different in a coach, these guys are primed to learn how to play better ball. We aren't changing the culture of a losing lockerroom anymore, we are trying to get the most out of our best payers. I trust BC to choose the right coach to do that.

For all that BC does think outside the box, he hasn't really surprised any of us yet. We all knew he was going to draft Bargs, Garbo's contract took months to finalise. In that vein, we have been hearing about Iavroni for a long time. It was assumed that is who he coveted when he left Phx and they put the year long ban from him taking any staff away with him. If BC does decide Iavroni is his guy, I am looking forward to it.

Great post again guys, and some good discussion going on.

LA's only Raps fan - great link! Keep 'em coming

by Robert Archibald on Mar 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The Sam Mitchell saga continues. Although the Raptors have reaped a stalwart record in comparison to previous years… all eyes still remain on Sam. At present, is Mitchell coaching his way out of Toronto? It does not look like it. 9 new faces, with great team cohesion, and steady build up of team chemistry has allowed the Raptors to lead their respective division. It is often said that a team reflects its coach. And this year I do somewhat believe the Raptors rise has been through the tutelage of Mitchell, as they have transformed into a hardworking grind it out type basketball team. I do not question that Mitchell isn’t a great communicator, as he does possess ‘the gift of gab’ but his knowledge of X’s & O’s, along with a lack of playoff experience are his most exposed flaws. Mitchell was not welcomed into Toronto with the rosiest situation (ala Avery Johnson). Along with a lack of talent, he had to deal with the VC fiasco, along with the questionable decisions by Rob Babock. The hiring of B.Colangelo (the greatest move by MLSE to date) has temporarily cleaned up the mess allowing Mitchell the clean slate he needed. The current Raptor makeup represents a drastic climate change with an international presence and experience, and Sam has been the prime benefactor of this talent. Although our players seem to get along with slammin Sam, I truly believe BC wants to eliminate the Babcock leftovers, while creating a team with the BC stamp of approval. On that note I think our team needs a more structured atmosphere with a less laid back presence and a more methodological basketball expertise to fully utilize our untapped resources for the years to come. With 20 games left and a potential playoff push… all is well in Raporland. Beyond that BC has some decision making to do, but who will it be? Iavaroni, Adelman, D-Mart (kidding), or a coach with European flare ala Mike D’Antoni. Whatever the case may be, BC will do it with all parties satisfied. Coach’s coach and players play… but if you take Steve Nash away from Phoenix what do you got?

by Rapz4Life on Mar 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Do Raptors really need another rookie head coach ie:
Iavoroni, who dosent know the players and will take 2/3 years to get going.

by Johnn19 on Mar 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Not all coaches take 2-3 years to get going. Sam Mitchell did because he was a rookie head coach stuck with a bunch of losers, primadonnas and crybabies for 2 years. I've yet to see any benefit of having Marc Iavoroni as our head coach as opposed to Sam Mitchell. If his philosophy is anything remotely close to D'Antoni's then we'll just be playing less defence next year than we do now/

by Blaxx on Mar 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Let's go back and review the coaches Bryan Colangelo had in Phoenix. I can think of Scott Skiles, who by the way lasted only a year, Frank Johnson, whose tenure ended after a couple of years...Can you guys think of any other coaches besides the ones I mentioned, and Mike D'antoni? The point I'm trying to get across is BC is not afraid to make a coaching change, he has done it before.( Mike D'antoni took over for Frank Johnson after he was fired by BC mid-season).

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