<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1. Doc Rivers, Boston It's year three for Rivers and Paul Pierce isn't getting any younger. A playoff berth is a must. 2. Isiah Thomas, New York Just how owner James Dolan will define improvement remains to be seen, but Thomas has to show he can win with the talent he assembled. 3. Eddie Jordan, Washington Yes, Jordan signed a three-year extension but GM Ernie Grunfeld won't be afraid to pull the plug if the defense doesn't improve. 4. Jerry Sloan, Utah Let's be clear: Larry Miller will never fire Sloan. But another year of mediocrity and Sloan will show himself the door. 5. Jeff Van Gundy, Houston The talent is there. Van Gundy has to prove he can win outside of New York. 6. Sam Mitchell, Toronto Don't be surprised if Mitchell is the first one to go. A slow start by the Raptors will give Bryan Colangelo all the cover he needs to bring in Phoenix assistant Marc Iavaroni. </div> Full Story Iavaroni? colangelo would go with him over someone like adleman? I always imagined if BC got rid of Mitchell it would be in exchange for a proven choach with a decent history. not another noob
Iavaroni has been considered a top assistant coach for a while, and he could have had the clippers job a couple of years ago but he decided not to take it. Colangelo obviously really like him from phoenix (his coaching style is simliar to D'Antoni), but i think that Mitchell will make the playoffs this year and he'll get an extension in the off season.
Wow, thats optimism for ya...I figure the raps will go on a losing streak sometime around december/january and he'll get the axe. I just dont think mitchell has what it takes to get the raps to where they should be. course i hope im wrong...i like sam's attitude, and his relationship with the players is good too...id perfer things to pan out the way you're anticipating for sure
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Premium:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, thats optimism for ya...I figure the raps will go on a losing streak sometime around december/january and he'll get the axe. I just dont think mitchell has what it takes to get the raps to where they should be. course i hope im wrong...i like sam's attitude, and his relationship with the players is good too...id perfer things to pan out the way you're anticipating for sure</div> If head-coaching doesn't work out. Maybe just a demotion to assistant coach? or a player-coach relations man?
Is there anyone left who thinks that Mitchell can make it to be coach on opening day next year? I think he's going to be hard pressed to be successful given our schedule and the number of new players he'll have to integrate (should take some time). I think he stands as our fall guy for this year pretty much...
I'm curious to see how Sam Mitchell adjusts to coaching a different brand of basketball. He'll have to adjust from his halfcourt sets into orchestrating a more creative and uptempo style. Like the rest of you, I just don't see it happening. I thought Don Nelson would have been an outstanding coach for the Raptors team. If Bargnani is being touted as a Dirk clone, it only makes sense to bring in the coach who jumpstarted Nowitzki's career. Marc Iavaroni will be on a short list if Mitchell is gone. He's one of the most sought after assistants because he's the architect of the Suns explosive offense. Rick Adelman would bring some credentials to the Raptors team, but I think he's burnt out and needs a couple years off to relax and reenergize.
