New Assistant Coach... (Exit Jim Todd, Enter Mike Evans)

In one of the articles about Sam Mitchell's re-signing, Colangelo hinted that he was considering adding a 4th assistant coach (probably in anticipation of English leaving). He gave off the impression that it'd be more his choice, so I suppose he wants some of his influence in the coaching staff. Who do you think he'll bring in? In what capacity will they serve? And what do you think BC's looking for in the new addition? Just figured we could all speculate, because like everything else in this offseason, I have no idea what will happen in this situation.

 

I would hope maybe Sam Mitchell will be the 4th assistant coach, maybe get a more experienced coach in Carlisle or a Colangelo coach in Ivaroni.

What type of contract did Mitchell get?

 

12 million over 3 years, if I remember correctly.

Apparently Ettore Messina's (current coach of CSKA Moscow; one of the better European coaches) acknowledged that he could take an assistant coaching position in the NBA to work his way up. However, he'll probably consider that next year, when his contract ends.

 

Another Asst. Coach would be great for the club. I hope they do bring in some from overseas who has ties with European players, who could be a great addition to the Raptors.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Ford_11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Another Asst. Coach would be great for the club. I hope they do bring in some from overseas who has ties with European players, who could be a great addition to the Raptors.</div>

no offense but that is a bad idea.


you dont need new guys, take a guy who has lots of experience in playing fundamental ball... preferably a college coach

 

How about getting an assistant coach who actually knows how to run plays that have movement off the ball?

 

<div class="quote_poster">whitehops_raps Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">no offense but that is a bad idea.


you dont need new guys, take a guy who has lots of experience in playing fundamental ball... preferably a college coach</div>

What is wrong with new guys, they can bring in experience, and have overseas experience too. No collage coach will just take up a assistant coach job.

 

I would think Ettore Messina would be pretty close to getting a head coaching position right off the bat. Either that or he’d go for a position where he’d most likely step in and take over as coach in the long-run.

Getting a European coach works for me. These guys put tons of emphasis on fundamentals, it’s actually very similar to a college coach. What they would probably be better at is dealing with egos in a pro environment. In College the coaches have much more influence over the players and they often try and take that approach into the pro game, which doesn’t usually work.

 

I would like too see more European asst. and head coaches. They have the IQ, all they need is the chance in the NBA.

 

If they brought Messina in it definitely wouldn't be on the recommendation of Sam Mitchell.

As stated earlier Messina would be brought over from Europe to be groomed as a head coach in the league--and whatever team brought him over would have to pay a significant amount of money to do so. He is one of the highest paid coaches in European basketball history.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The season is different, the habits are different, even the basketball terminology is different in the Euroleague than it is in the NBA,'' Messina said. "There could be different ways to imagine the process of adjustment should a foreign coach come to the NBA -- it may be as an assistant for some time. I do not have a problem recognizing that an adjustment should be made.''</div>
<div align="center">Source: SI.com</div>

I think he's definitely good enough to be an NBA head coach, but he's acknowledged that there adjustments to make from the Euroleague to the NBA. He could very well end up an assistant for a year or two, but it'll probably be after this season when his contract with CSKA is up. I'm not sure Colangelo would get him either, because he's committed to Mitchell and Messina will most likely be groomed for a head coach position wherever he goes. It would be cool to get him though.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"><div align="center">Source: SI.com</div>

I think he's definitely good enough to be an NBA head coach, but he's acknowledged that there adjustments to make from the Euroleague to the NBA. He could very well end up an assistant for a year or two, but it'll probably be after this season when his contract with CSKA is up. I'm not sure Clanger would get him either, because he's committed to Mitchell and Messing will most likely be groomed for a head coach position wherever he goes. It would be cool to get him though.</div>


I like Messina, I hope he does come to the Raptors, and maybe in 3 years if things don't work out with Sam, he can become our Head Coach, but I'm sure he would of left by then to become a head coach somewhere else.

 

Looks like Jack Sikma might be considered for this assistant position. Would be a fantastic addition. As great big man back in the day, he'll definitely be able to help Bosh and Bargnani and their development.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Ex-Bucks and current Portland center Jamaal Magloire, who becomes a free agent on July 1, could be heading home to Toronto. … Sikma has also been linked to assistant coach’s job in Toronto.</div>

Link - <font color=""Red"">Click here</font>

 

<div align="center"><font size=""3"">Blatt leaves Treviso, NBA could be next</font></div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">TREVISO, Italy (Ticker) - Coach David Blatt has finally announced he is leaving Benetton Treviso after two seasons with the club, and a move to the NBA could follow.

Late on Saturday, Blatt, who steered the Italian giants to the Lega A title in his first season and this year's Italian Supercoppa and Coppa Italia, confirmed his decision in a statement on the club's official web site, benettonbasket.it.

"Today (Saturday) we decided with (Benetton Treviso general manager) Mark Atripaldi that I will not continue my contract with the Benetton, Blatt said.

The decision of the American-born Blatt, who is also Russia's national team coach, comes as no surprise because he and his players suffered a horrible finish to the season after a 12-point deduction in the Lega A standings.

........

Earlier this week, Blatt revealed he had received "a few tempting offers from clubs in the NBA", but he did not offer any details.

Blatt, who moved to Israel to play basketball after graduating from Princeton University, said in his statement he has not made up his mind about what comes next.

But he felt Benetton should no longer wait on him as it needed to begin preparing for next season.

"I still do not know about my future, hopefully at the greatest levels in the Euroleague or the NBA," he said. "Today (Saturday) is a very sad day because it was really hard to take this decision."

Despite the bad ending to the campaign, Blatt said he had been fortunate to work at the club and paid tribute to former general manager Maurizio Gherardini - now with the Toronto Raptors - and club president Giorgio Buzzavo.

"It's been a decision taken by mutual agreement" general manager Marco Atripaldi said. "I am not happy about the end of the collaboration with David, believing we have done all that was possible to keep him on our bench and prolong his contract.

"David had a lot of time available to consider our proposal, time that he fully deserved for everything he did in these two years. It makes me unhappy not to be able work with him, but now it's necessary to turn the page." </div>
<div align="center">Source: Yahoo!Sports</div>

 

Some more news:


<div align="center"><font size=""3"">Bucks set to hire Jim Todd</font></div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the last two weeks, Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak has added two assistant coaches to his staff: Tony Brown, who was an assistant in Boston last season, and Bill Peterson, who was an associate head coach at Colorado State.

Today, Krystkowiak could have another assistant coach: Jim Todd.

Todd, who spent the last two seasons in the same capacity with the Toronto Raptors, is a familiar face in the Bucks’ organization. He began his NBA career with the Bucks in 1996, working under then head coach Chris Ford.

Todd followed Ford to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1998 and was named the Clippers’ interim head coach on Feb. 3, 2000. Todd then served as an assistant coach for DePaul University during the 2001-2002 season.

Todd rejoined the Bucks in 2002 as a coaching consultant before becoming an assistant coach/player development for the team the following year.

Todd’s hiring comes on the heels of a casual interview he had with Krystkowiak at the recent pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla. During the conversation, Todd told Krystkowiak how much he enjoyed his time in Milwaukee. That made a distinct impression on Krystkowiak and prompted him into exploring the possibility of luring Todd back for his third stint with the Bucks.</div>
<div align="center">Source: Racine Journal-Times</div>


But Doug Smith disagrees:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">ON THE OTHER HAND: Speaking of Raptor assistants, I'm told the return of Jim Todd, Alex English and Jay Triano could be done as early as next week; no reason to think any snags will develop for any of them in their talks with Bryan Colangelo.</div>

And he also touches on the David Blatt situation:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I am sure there are all kinds of you out there who have noticed that highly regarded coach David Blatt has left Benetton Treviso and is allegedly having chats now with NBA teams.

Of course, I'm also sure a bunch of you have him coming to Toronto, what with the Raptors thinking of adding a fourth assistant and his close ties to Maurizio Gherardini and Bryan Colangelo.

Well, dream on.

According to a couple of people I've talked to in the last couple of days, the chance of Blatt landing in Toronto are slim and none and Slim just left town.

He's expensive, probably too accomplished to be the fourth assistant on a good-functioning staff and could very well wind up coaching somewhere else in Europe. There's still a possibility that a young, unproven coach from Europe could be added to Sam Mitchell's staff as some sort of apprentice coach to see how things work; it's just not going to be David Blatt.</div>
<div align="center">Source: Toronto Star</div>


And finally, if Dr. J is right about the Raptors looking to hire Jack Sikma, it appears we may have some competition:


<div align="center"><font size=""3"">Ex-Sonics great Sikma could join Rockets coaching staff</font></div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A month after Hakeem Olajuwon worked with Yao Ming on a move that Olajuwon called "the Jack Sikma, " Yao could soon be learning from the original.

Sikma is close to becoming the second member of Rick Adelman's Rockets coaching staff, joining Elston Turner, an NBA official said Tuesday.

Turner said last week he would join Adelman with the Rockets.

Former Rockets player Mario Elie is scheduled to interview with Adelman for a position this week.

Current Rockets assistant Steve Clifford is close to becoming the first of Jeff Van Gundy's assistants to move; he seems to be close to joining Stan Van Gundy in Orlando.

Sikma, 51, returned to the Seattle SuperSonics bench for the 2003-04 season and has been coaching with the team for which he starred since. He became available with the coaching change in Seattle.

Sikma, the eighth player chosen in the 1977 draft, is the Sonics all-time leader in rebounds and free throws, is second in blocked shots and third in scoring, using the turnaround jumper Olajuwon demonstrated to Yao. He finished his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, retiring after the 1990-91 season. The Sonics retired his number in 1992.

Rockets officials would not comment on ongoing talks with assistant coaches.</div>
<div align="center">Source: Houston Chronicle</div>

 

I find Smith’s research to be terrible. He basically tells you what the raptors front office would say if you asked the question out in the open (with a few generally lame exceptions). I know he is the raptors guy for the star but his articles border on sucking up consistently.

If you ask him to stick out his neck and provide analysis he doesn’t look very knowledgeable.

 

I don't want Todd to leave, I like what he does, but to bring in Blatt would be great. I just wanna know who will talk to Leo and Chuck after half? No Todd, then what do we do?

Also, I agree with al3x, Smith is not a great writer, and his info to me sounds like what we want to hear, not what is actually happening.

 

Todd says bye bye

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Doug Smith
Sports Reporter

Jim Todd is leaving the Raptors.

After spending three seasons as the lead assistant to head coach Sam Mitchell, the affable Todd is going to work for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Todd and Mitchell have been together for five seasons, three in Toronto and two in Milwaukee, where they were both assistants</div>

and then as of five minutes ago:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">ON THE OTHER HAND: Speaking of Raptor assistants, I'm told the return of Jim Todd, Alex English and Jay Triano could be done as early as next week; no reason to think any snags will develop for any of them in their talks with Bryan Colangelo.</div>

Way to go Smith, no one will ever accuse you of doing your homework

 

Well, Good bye Todd, I'll miss you dearly. Your half time talks ment so much to me, but I hope he does good things in Milwaukee, he is a great coach and mentor. Congrats Todd.

 

Doug Smith is a joke and I'm looking forward to seeing how he explains this latest embarrassment (my money's on him pretending like it never happened). I don't know when it happened, but at some point he completely sold out and traded in whatever journalistic integrity he had to become a mouthpiece for the Raptors. His mailbags are ridiculous.

I'm not exactly sure what Todd did on this staff, but I will miss his incredibly pessimistic halftime interviews. I think having to deal with Chuck and Leo, instead of Norma, this year was the last straw.