Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Three seasons ago, Sam Mitchell was being groomed to one day be the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.Now, with Mitchell's contract with Toronto set to expire after this season comes to an end, rumours are swirling that the Raptors coach could be headed to Charlotte once again.Sunday, before the Raptors took the floor at the Air Canada Centre to face the visiting Bobcats, Mitchell refused to respond to a report in the New York Post naming him as the frontrunner for Charlotte's head coaching job.The job will become vacant after this season ends and Bernie Bickerstaff moves to the Bobcats front office full time.But Bickerstaff and Mitchell have been close since the Raptors head coach was the lead assistant in Charlotte briefly before accepting the Toronto job."He's done a good job with his team, he's using his personnel really well, and he's got some pretty good players. So I'm proud of him," Bickerstaff said of Mitchell.Mitchell reached 100 career wins with Friday night's overtime victory at Washington, the Raptors are chasing their first division title in franchise history and their first playoff berth in five seasons. But the coach will become a free agent when the season ends if the Raptors don't extend his contract.The coach warned reporters he wouldn't answer questions about his contract status Sunday, and promptly ended his pre-game media scrum when one reporter posed a contract question anyways.Chris Bosh says Raptors players are aware of Mitchell's contract status, but they are focused on doing their own jobs."That's always been talked about," Bosh said after Toronto's 107-94 win over Charlotte on Sunday. "But he always just says, 'I'm going to do my job, you do your job, and everything will take care of itself."'Bickerstaff said when he hired Mitchell as his lead assistant he envisioned Mitchell one day taking over as head coach.He said he was impressed by Mitchell's work ethic."He's been in an expansion situation, he had fought his way up through some different environments, the CBA, he had played overseas," said Bickerstaff."You know what I like about the guy? The guy's got guts and that's important. . . . He tells you the truth, he doesn't beat around the bush to give it to you, he gives it to you straight."Mitchell has also been a fan of Bickerstaff's since he interviewed for the Charlotte job three seasons ago, and from the brief time he worked there before departing for Toronto.Bickerstaff drove to Atlanta to meet Mitchell for their lunchtime interview, and Mitchell recalled how he and Bickerstaff, plus Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, were the only patrons in the restaurant."We talked basketball," said Mitchell. "Bernie's just an old-school type guy, he says what he means and means what he says. You're going to work hard when you work for him, but he's extremely fair and he created a family atmosphere (in Charlotte)."</div>http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball/NBA/T...3895674-cp.htmlPersonally, I think he's done a good job with the Toronto squad this year, and the players have no problem with him so I'd like to see his contract get extended. I'd hate to see Mitchell leave next year just because of the "success" the Raps have been getting this year with him and just to break the bond and get a new coach will probably hurt the team at least a little. What do you guys think about this?
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats Yeah I hope he stays with Toronto, I hate having a new coach every other year for the Raptors!
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats I like sam as our coach , I dont want to see the three years of chemistry he has developed with his team flushed down the toilet. I also dont see many other people who can develop young players like he can , many coaches are tuned out by their players but sam has their ear. hes been curical in kgs success , in bosh's development, ford , calderon , are all showing vast improvement under his coaching. I dont want him leaving for another unknown guy who we dont know will mesh with this team or be able to have the saem level of success. every year has shown an improvement, both his coaching and the development of our young players under him . he has earned the right to another extension , I dont see how you can not extend the man who has brought the team from the gutter to the top echelon of the eastern conference. if you want a dynasty you have to have tradition and a strong family . this man has become a huge part of the family and now we're willing to let him go for someone who has never been here and someone who hasnt gutted it through hard times like sam? no way . that would be pathetic.
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats I hope he stays in Toronto, I don't feel his style fits the Bobcats.
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats I wouldn't understand it if Sam Mitchell left Toronto after having such a great turn-around season with Toronto and a potential playoff run. He has blended in well with the squad this year and taken them to a new level. Another concern is young star Chris Bosh. How would he react to a coaching change after playing his entire career under Mitchell's style of basketball? Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbajosa are also both developing under Mitchell and so far from what I've seen he's been doing a great job with both these young studs. Toronto is already a very talented and young franchise. They have finally come together and started winning games while Charlotte is not at that level yet. Mitchell made his career this year in Toronto, I don't know why he would leave while they are succeeding.
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats I'm pretty sure Colangelo will resign him and not let him go. I think everyone is sick of the Raptors always hiring new coaches like almost every year until Mitchell came along. Everyone on the Raptors are also familiar with the plays Mitchell does, so why would they let him go to charlotte.
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats CB4 will tell you that he wont be in our plans for our future, but I can say one thing, hes a more then decent coach. Ive been a Mitchell supporter from season 1 and Ive always loved his work ethic. I give him major major credit for what he has done with this team, espcially assembling the lineups near perfectly.
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats Respect to Mitchell for slamming Carter through a table!
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats <span style="font-family:Arial">So, let me get this straight. Sam Mitchell is being discussed as a possible head coach candidate for the Charlotte Bobcats, when he just led the Toronto Raptors to a successful season and playoff run? That doesn't seem like a smart move on his part, he should try and finish the job he started in Toronto. Mitchell fits in perfectly with this team, the players seem to respect his coaching methods.He used to be an assistant coach for the Bobcats, I thought he left Charlotte in a bitter way?</span>
Re: Mitchell refuses to address report he's frontrunner for the Bobcats I think he'll stay. The Raps would be stupid to let him go, and quite honestly, he'd be stupid to leave. He is part of the reason for the turn-around, and I think the players definitely respect him a lot more for wanting to stick with them after last year and being part of this club rejuvination.
