Re-signing Chris Bosh and politics: Why Toronto Raptors really fired Sam Mitchell

December 03 08

Breaking news mixed with analysis ...

Their News: Sam Mitchell was fired as head coach of the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, a day after the team suffered the fifth worst defeat in franchise history, a 132-93 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo called it a “difficult but necessary step the franchise must take.” (TSN.ca)

Our Quick Analysis: Less than eighteen months ago, Sam Mitchell was the NBA’s Coach of the Year. The award supposedly gave Mitchell a measure of credibility as a sideline boss and forced Toronto’s management to re-sign him to a four year, 16 million dollar contract.

The future looked bright. Today, the former journeyman forward is unemployed after the Raptors’ dreadful showing against the Nuggets.

Yesterday’s loss was just the trigger for his firing. Toronto had an up-and-down 2007-08, but fell short of expectations with a first round playoff defeat. This year, the players have tuned-out Mitchell’s tough love message.

However, an 8-9 record isn’t terrible. Keep in mind their second best player, Jermaine O’Neal, missed games with an assortment of injuries. Other factors played into this decision.

He was never the GM’s choice. Remember, Colangelo inherited Mitchell from a previous Raptor regime and, despite their professional relationship, has probably always wanted ‘his guy’ to coach.

Now was his opportunity. Two summers ago, Mitchell was a hot commodity, so Colangelo had to re-sign him and keep the fans, players, and powerful MLSE board happy. Last year Mitchell got a pass; no executive fires a coach the first year into an extension.

Two weekends ago, Chris Bosh was unhappy with the Celtics embarrassing the Raptors at Air Canada Centre. He was outraged at his team’s poor play. Management and ownership, after watching Bosh breakdown, realized they must assemble a winner to re-sign their superstar when he becomes a free agent in 2010. So they let go of the coach.

Mitchell’s firing shows much can change in eighteen months. If his successor fails then other franchise-altering changes will occur.

Should Mitchell have been fired? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for further NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of RaptorsTalk.com.

16 Comments: Re-signing Chris Bosh and politics: Why Toronto Raptors really (...)

Posted by

on 12.6.2008

i really respect avery johnson and i think he deserves another coaching job .

Posted by
Lucas, Lucas, Lucas
on 12.5.2008

Paul Silas almost died of a serious stroke. He’s a great candidate but in no condition to coach at this point. John Lucas could whip these losers into shape. .

Posted by

on 12.4.2008

Whowever can keep CB4 happy ... hire him .

Posted by

on 12.4.2008

paul silas needs a job. .

Posted by
Alltel Wizard
on 12.4.2008

I have actually been hearing Eric Musselman’s name being tossed around as coaching candidate for the Wizards. I know that has nothing to do with this post, but I just shocked he could get another NBA head gig. I thought it would be blogger or college ranks for his azz .

Posted by
Reppin 330
on 12.4.2008

Flip Saunders should get the call. He provides a balance. He may not always be hard on players or even get pa-------the conference finals, but he would be a good fit for this team. .

Posted by
Sami A/Weaksiderejection
on 12.4.2008

If your a Raptor fan, i’m sure you’d like to see this team improve defensively. When you can’t score your defense proves important. .

Posted by

on 12.4.2008

Just a thought...Calderon/Kapono/Graham to PHXNash/Barbosa/Pick to Raps. Nash has a good relationship with Colangelo, and he loves Triano from their years on the Canadian Olympic team... the primary reason why Nash hasn’t played for Canada in the past few years is because he didn’t like the way BCan jerked Triano around. There’s loyalty there. Let the Raps run (Bosh, Moon, Bargnani... they’ve got weapons) and then add Barbosa with Nash as the set-up man? That’s money for some fast break points, and we already know Bosh can get it done from the half-court set.Any possibility, Oly? .

Posted by
O. Sandor
on 12.4.2008

Hi John, Thanks for commenting ... I agree TO is nowhere near an NBA Title, I like Wallace, but they need a bonafide second option. GW, while he gets his points, scores off hustle plays and fast breaks, you don’t run sets for him. Still Wallace would be a nice addition, however, they need a true second option on offence. Bargnani is better, but still not producing enough as a number one pick. Man, Roy or Aldridge would look good! Thanks for commenting ... Take care John ... .

Posted by
J. Nguyen
on 12.4.2008

my boy Oly, the team is better than 8-9 but they are not a championship caliber team, no matter what coach. They need to bring in G. Wallace, and anybody outside their big three is tradeable, especially Barg. .

Posted by
jason
on 12.3.2008

I don’t think they really need Avery Johnson, because Johnson is the kind of coach Sam Mitchell is. Let’s see how Jay doing as a coach. Fans would love to see the Raptors run more. With Bosh, Moon, O’Neal, I think this team can run, if they can trade for Berlimin ? from Golden States, the young Italy guard who can shot and run. I think the reason for their defense breakdown is Sam is not a specialist on defense end, once their offense melt down, their defense melt down too. The focus point is still how Jay improve Andrea Bargani’s play. They have been talk abut consistency all the time. If they can improve Joey Graham and Andrea’ s consistency, I think they will be prettery good. I think Joey Graham is a at least 8 point per game guy, when Andrea Bargani should get more than 15 point per night. Oh, yeah, the super inconsistent Jason Kapono, the guy can get 5 3pointer a night and also 5 night without a 3 pointer. .

Posted by
Dinye
on 12.3.2008

Cant say it any better than Kenny. But Avery would be my first choice. .

Posted by
Oly Sandor
on 12.3.2008

Hi there, If they want to go defensive with Jermaine O’neal then Avery Johnson makes sense!! It all depends on the identity of the club going forward. Thanks for commenting .

Posted by
Kenny
on 12.3.2008

I believe yes and no. yes becuase the raps need a different system and no beacuase I think firing the coach isn’t always the answer because it’s likely the players fault and like you said this is the same coach that won coach of the year. The raps just need a good guard that can slash to the hoop and be consistent from 3. .

Posted by
bigmanshaq
on 12.3.2008

I cant say I was surprised by the discharge of Sam Mitchell, the Raptors could not play defense to save their life, and it seems like every 2nd play they run was an iso for Bosh. It would be interesting who the Raps will bring in to as the permanent head coach: Flip saunders, Avery Johnson, or PJ carlismo ? .

Posted by
he’s outta here!
on 12.3.2008

Bosh will bounce like a ball anyway .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Re-signing Chris Bosh and politics: Why Toronto Raptors really fired Sam Mitchell

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