From the 18 point flip flop we gave to the Lakers, to unmeasurable number of games where we've blown big leads, to today's absolutley ridiculous 24 point lead collapse. Mitchell has absolutley lost it. Name me one other coach, not only in the NBA, but in the world, who'd play a line up of Calderon, Eric Williams, Peterson, Bonner and Woods for 6 minutes in the fourth quarter against a title contender, and doesn't take them off despite the fact the Mavs went on a 20-5 run. It's getting ridiculous. Jose looks lost out there because he doesn't have a set to run. Hire a real coach!!!
I agree that it is over the top - but because of our unbelievable amount of moves and lack of stability in the past I think we are stuck with Mitchell for a little while. Unless we play the whole new GM wants new coach card.
Fever, i believe you gotta consider that Villanueva, Chris Bosh and Mike James all had foul troubles with like 4 or 5 during the 4th. So even if you put them out there, they pick the fouls or foul out, you're probably going to end up putting those guys you mentioned late in the quarter. But what would u rather have? Edit - You guys may blame Sam Mitchell since he is the coach, but i'd rather blame the players since they are on the floor and they are playing the game, Raptors just get too caught up in taking so much jumpshots. They need to keep driving and don't stop.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You guys may blame Sam Mitchell since he is the coach, but i'd rather blame the players since they are on the floor and they are playing the game, Raptors just get too caught up in taking so much jumpshots. They need to keep driving and don't stop.</div> How can they take it to the hoop when there isn't a set play drawn for them to accomplish that task. Mostly the plays go down to near the end and they have to hoist up a shot, from eitehr James or Peterson. Luckily they get lucky. I really am questioning Mitchells' coaching all the time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Gotrunks226:</div><div class="quote_post">Fever, i believe you gotta consider that Villanueva, Chris Bosh and Mike James all had foul troubles with like 4 or 5 during the 4th. So even if you put them out there, they pick the fouls or foul out, you're probably going to end up putting those guys you mentioned late in the quarter. But what would u rather have? Edit - You guys may blame Sam Mitchell since he is the coach, but i'd rather blame the players since they are on the floor and they are playing the game, Raptors just get too caught up in taking so much jumpshots. They need to keep driving and don't stop.</div> Having those three on the floor would have helped preserve the lead. Even if they foul out with about three minutes to go, we'd still have been up 15 or so, which is much better than having them cut the lead down to 5 or so then have Bosh, James and Charlie V. bail you out against a team with momentum on its side. Mitchell subbed in his big guns too late, pure and simple.
Another proof of Mitchell's outstanding coaching abilitites: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And, according to Mike James, they stopped having any idea what they were doing. Incredibly, James said there were key possessions when half the players on the court didn't know what defence Toronto was in. "There were a few spurts where we tried to go man and there were like three guys playing zone, two guys playing man and the call just wasn't triggered to everyone," he said. "We gave up some open looks at the end of the game." </div> Article !!!!
Is it cuz Mitchell didn't say? Or cuz the players had their heads up their ass? Last time I checked we started out 1-17...correct? Last I checked we were playing .500 ball after that first month. How is that bad coaching? I can think of a lot more coaches whose teams have gotten WORSE. WITH better players. Also remember Lenny Wilkens? Everybody bitched about him cuz he ran EVERY play, and so TO fans complained to let them play. And the thing about defence is, no matter if you know what's going on or don't know....as a player you sure as hell don't leave Nowitzki alone at the 3 pt line. And didn't Mike James have a chance to win it in the end?...You think Mitchell didn't draw that play up? In the end the next game we play and win everyone will be "ohh i love sam, sam is the man, i told you so" C'mon...lets be as positive as this year is turning out to be and be fans instead of couch coaches.
He definitely isn't the worst coach in the league, so I would wait until the new GM comes in before deciding to fire him or not. Don't want to create a sense of instability again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">Another proof of Mitchell's outstanding coaching abilitites: Article !!!!</div> This is what I was saying in reply to Chutney's post that Mike James didn't trust his teammates. To me down the stretch, Sam seems to think all you need to do is look to iso Bosh. Problem is that many teams front him, if Bosh doesn't get the ball, we have nothing else, we're not running an offense, we're just stacking the PG with Bosh, and trying to get him the ball. If Bosh doesn't get the ball, then the PG has to make something happen it's quite stupid really. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Just blame Matt Bonner, lol...</div> For tying the game with his three
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jones:</div><div class="quote_post"> And didn't Mike James have a chance to win it in the end?...You think Mitchell didn't draw that play up? </div> Our drawn up play was a mike james iso ... I really don't think that took much creativity or was very unpredictable. Dallas was exposing james down the stetch by forcing him to over dribble the ball. While he did have a chance to win the game - the way Dallas was playing James it definately wasn't the right call.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting a13x:</div><div class="quote_post">Our drawn up play was a mike james iso ... I really don't think that took much creativity or was very unpredictable. </div> ahh but if he makes that layup then you would probably say it was a great call, James had been great all game. and are you gonna draw up some complicated play when your team can't even remember or think to guard Nowitzki on the perimeter? If they can't figure that out give it to your vet guy who likes to take the big shot and has 25 pts in the game. there is a time and a place (and a team) for creativity and unpredictability.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">there is a time and a place (and a team) for creativity and unpredictability.</div> Except when has Mitchell ever shown creativity and unpredictability in his playcalling?? I recall multiple times teams saying how Toronto ran the same play all game long, side pick and roll, iso etc. I have honestly never seen any other plays other than an iso, pick and roll and at the start of the game a mo pete curl.
You'd think that after Kobe dropped 81 on us, Sam would have learned his lesson. But now I hear him on the Fan talking about how there aren't going to stop Shaq or Wade, so they'll try to stop the other players.
I disagree with everyone harping on Mitchell's coaching abilities. The reason he run's the pick and roll with Mike and CB4 is because it's the best option we have on offense! Even when defences know it's coming, it seems that Mike and Chris can make it work out as there on court chemistry is so good. As far as our defense in concerned, I do not blame Sam whatsoever for our miscues. If you look at it, it seems that many times we have the right defensive set, it's just some of our guys (Matt and Charlie mostly) are too slow to close out on shooters and rotate correctly. If anything, I believe Mitchell is due for a contract extension any time now, especially with the rapport he and Chris Bosh have.
I actually feel sorry for Toronto Raptor's players. This franchise seems to have a curse on it. I realize they are tryin to reverse this and are in right direction but there can't be any optimism because they don't have that aura of invincibility that the great teams have. I don't think they will ever have this. Whether it be the coaches or the managment, the raps will never have both, and never dominate in both. This stunt's the growth of this team and I can't see them ever winning a championship unless a complete overhaul happens.
This has got to be a joke right. Having an "aura" has absolutely nothing to do with winning. Players are what have to do with winnging. Right now the Raptors have two of the brightest young big men in the game (CB4, Charlie V), a solid first year point guard, good role players (Mo Pete, Joey Graham), a solid young head coach, possibly the reigning executive of the year coming here (Colangelo) and tons of money to throw at free agents in the off season (hopefully Nene). I have a feeling that "aura" is not going to stop this team from becoming a solid playoff contender, and hopefully in 3 or 4 years possible NBA Champions. Tell me teams in the league with brighter young big men than us?
Ok how did the Lakers always win those championships with Kobe and Shaq even when they played better all around teams like Kings and Blazers. They could come back from any deficit and go against any challenge that those teams threw at them. They came back from 15 points in 4th against these teams in deciding games. Raptors have never had that and they won't with the players they have. 1st of all, they need a sg/sf who they can give that last shot or the big shot to at the end of games. Before they get that, i dont care if they have 10 big men they still wont win a championship. And a young head coach maybe but a clueless one at that.
