CNNSI: Smitch On Coaches Hot Seat?

Dr. J. Naismith · 10-04-2008, 11:43 PM

Not yet, but Steve Aschburner did his Top 5 list of coaches that could find themselves on the hot seat this season. He listed Sam at No. 2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNNSI.com

2. Sam Mitchell, Toronto Raptors. Mitchell is a survivor, a third-round pick as a player back in the days when the NBA draft had three rounds and an alumnus of the CBA, the USBL, a stint in France and the inaugural Timberwolves fire drill. He isn't stupid, either, and knows that his next-best career alternative would slice at least one zero off the back of his salary. But he doesn't suffer fools gladly, which makes him more combative than some NBA players can tolerate these days. And deep down, he has the confidence that comes with the 2007 Coach of the Year award that he'd be employable again as a head coach, at least one more time.

Then there is the dynamic within management of the Raptors: General manager Bryan Colangelo has yet to hire his own coach, a move that -- along with maneuvers on draft night -- defines a team executive. Colangelo is committed to 2006 No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani well beyond the minutes Bargnani has earned or Mitchell has given him. And now oft-injured Jermaine O'Neal is in the house for what we all presume is a "second round or bust'' season. But then, in the NBA, things can go bust way before May."

Source - Click here

jeffb · 10-05-2008, 09:34 AM

I do think that if the Raptors underachieve,Sam Mitchell will certainly be on the hot seat.If they don't at least win a playoff round it's quite likely that this is his last season as the Raptors head coach.Three straight first round exits usually means a coaching change.

Gurk · 10-05-2008, 09:38 AM

What CNNSI.com said is obvoius and I agree with what they said

Apollo · 10-05-2008, 10:17 AM

Sam is done. I think its all a formality at this point. Colangelo couldn't fire Sam this offseason because the buyout was too large. The 2009 off-season is a different story, he could sell the move on the board a lot easier then because the cost of his mistake won't be as large.

t-bag · 10-05-2008, 10:23 AM

It didn't seem like there were many significant upgrades over the summer, as much as I've been a detractor of Sam there wasn't a replacement available (as far as I know) that would justify firing him.

Does anyone know if any good coaches have expiring contracts at the end of this year?

Gurk · 10-05-2008, 10:25 AM

How about making Jay Triano the coach?

jeffb · 10-05-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo

Sam is done. I think its all a formality at this point. Colangelo couldn't fire Sam this offseason because the buyout was too large. The 2009 off-season is a different story, he could sell the move on the board a lot easier then because the cost of his mistake won't be as large.

I don't think it's a done deal.Especially if they get 47+ wins and win a playoff round.

jeffb · 10-05-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurkang

How about making Jay Triano the coach?

Hell no!

insight_tor · 10-05-2008, 01:41 PM

Sam did his job in Toronto for past years .... I think is time to bring somebody new as soon as the team doesn't show any improvement in first 15 games. He is good but not that good to take Raptors further than first round in playoffs.

rapsfan087 · 10-05-2008, 02:00 PM

It all depends on how Raptors do this season IMO. Players have already been changed and think that we cannot make important changes next season, so the next step if this doesn't work is to change the coach.

But regardless what happens, if Sam doesn't improve his lacks, as the players have to do, don't believe he signs other contract with Raptors.

moremilk · 10-05-2008, 02:35 PM

sam needs one of the following: really high number of wins in the regular season, or a to make it to the second round. Even if we get 50+ wins, if we lose to somebody like Orlando or Wizards, he's probably gone. THe only scenarios where we don't make it to the 2nd round and he stays is:
1. 50+ wins and a loss to detroit/boston/cavs in the first round (say lebron misses 40 games and they make it in a low seed and meet us in the first round)
2. lots and lots of injuries, missing key playes in the playoffs etc

However, if we make it to the 2nd round, he's safe imo. Actually, if we make it to the 2nd round, I doubt anybody on this forum would want him gone

Snooch · 10-05-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moremilk

However, if we make it to the 2nd round, he's safe imo. Actually, if we make it to the 2nd round, I doubt anybody on this forum would want him gone

ahem....

see ya later Smith.

80 some odd games to go till no more Smitch

Acie · 10-05-2008, 07:00 PM

Blah, blah, blah, blah...

moremilk · 10-05-2008, 09:06 PM

it's all about results - if we win with sam, all will be forgotten. same for losing ... Avery had an insane win percentage with Dallas, but two quick exists in the playoffs and he was gone. Doc rivers was on his way out in Boston and now he's a hero. The reality is that coaching is really hard to judge. Skiles seemed to be doing so great in Chicago, but then it started to wear on his players. I think there are really really few coaches in this league who truly make a difference, and unless we get one of those, what's the point in firing Mitchell (unless Bryan feels that our young players' development is suffering).

LX · 10-06-2008, 10:58 AM

And Obama is a muslim.

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10-05-2008, 09:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
jeffb is the baby faced assassin Banned Join Date: May 2008 Location: YO MAMMA Posts: 81,104 Representing:	I do think that if the Raptors underachieve,Sam Mitchell will certainly be on the hot seat.If they don't at least win a playoff round it's quite likely that this is his last season as the Raptors head coach.Three straight first round exits usually means a coaching change.

10-05-2008, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gurk is dead inside you ain't bout that life Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 22,015 Representing:	What CNNSI.com said is obvoius and I agree with what they said

10-05-2008, 10:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
Apollo a dick Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,138 Representing:	Sam is done. I think its all a formality at this point. Colangelo couldn't fire Sam this offseason because the buyout was too large. The 2009 off-season is a different story, he could sell the move on the board a lot easier then because the cost of his mistake won't be as large.

10-05-2008, 10:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
t-bag Scrub City Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 736 Representing:	It didn't seem like there were many significant upgrades over the summer, as much as I've been a detractor of Sam there wasn't a replacement available (as far as I know) that would justify firing him. Does anyone know if any good coaches have expiring contracts at the end of this year?

10-05-2008, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Gurk is dead inside you ain't bout that life Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 22,015 Representing:	How about making Jay Triano the coach?

10-05-2008, 01:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
insight_tor a Triano's fan The friendly neighbor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,065 Representing:	Sam did his job in Toronto for past years .... I think is time to bring somebody new as soon as the team doesn't show any improvement in first 15 games. He is good but not that good to take Raptors further than first round in playoffs.

10-05-2008, 02:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
rapsfan087 is pounding the rock! Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 755 Representing:	It all depends on how Raptors do this season IMO. Players have already been changed and think that we cannot make important changes next season, so the next step if this doesn't work is to change the coach. But regardless what happens, if Sam doesn't improve his lacks, as the players have to do, don't believe he signs other contract with Raptors.

10-05-2008, 02:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
moremilk whatever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 10,417 Representing:	sam needs one of the following: really high number of wins in the regular season, or a to make it to the second round. Even if we get 50+ wins, if we lose to somebody like Orlando or Wizards, he's probably gone. THe only scenarios where we don't make it to the 2nd round and he stays is: 1. 50+ wins and a loss to detroit/boston/cavs in the first round (say lebron misses 40 games and they make it in a low seed and meet us in the first round) 2. lots and lots of injuries, missing key playes in the playoffs etc However, if we make it to the 2nd round, he's safe imo. Actually, if we make it to the 2nd round, I doubt anybody on this forum would want him gone

10-05-2008, 07:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
Acie landry fields forever Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Living in a van down by the river Posts: 19,088 Representing:	Blah, blah, blah, blah...

10-05-2008, 09:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
moremilk whatever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 10,417 Representing:	it's all about results - if we win with sam, all will be forgotten. same for losing ... Avery had an insane win percentage with Dallas, but two quick exists in the playoffs and he was gone. Doc rivers was on his way out in Boston and now he's a hero. The reality is that coaching is really hard to judge. Skiles seemed to be doing so great in Chicago, but then it started to wear on his players. I think there are really really few coaches in this league who truly make a difference, and unless we get one of those, what's the point in firing Mitchell (unless Bryan feels that our young players' development is suffering).

10-06-2008, 10:58 AM	#15 (permalink)
LX effin' ineffable In the Paint Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 30,070 Representing:	And Obama is a muslim.