Raptors fire head coach Sam Mitchell

[OILFAN #81]

As per TSN text....

The Raptors have fired head coach Sam Mitchell.

More to come.

[Hustle]

I'm not usually an advocate of firing a coach... but its about time.

It seems Triano is taking over for the time being, but hopefully Colangelo gets a real coach in there.

[phaneuf_train]

I really like Sam as a person, but this year he just wasn't getting the job done. Seemed like every game he was getting out coached.

This is good news for the Raps!

[flames_fan_down_under]

Great news! After that dismantling by the Nuggets last night I saw this one coming. Too talented a team to be under .500.

[JohnnyFlame]

The natural way of things. Team sucks. Coach gets canned. Mitchell was at best mediocre but the new coach will inherit a slow, wimpy team that in incapable of playing defense. Calderon may the worst defensive player in organized basketball while being a very good offensive player. Parker is past it. Kapono- a slow white guy who can't run, jump, move or do anything but shoot. Moon-- he can jump. Graham--brain dead.

So the quitters get the coach canned. Some of them will be joining him in moving elsewhere very soon IMO.

[troutman]

To bad. I like Sam.

[mariners_fever]

bring back kevin o'neill!

[OzSome]

I thought he would get fired a few season ago but last season was a good season for him. I never like the way he coached because he doesn't really use some of the players properly. It would be interesting to see who would replace him... maybe they will just keep Triano to go all the way this season.

Oh yeah.... i hope they won't go retro on this Toronto team as well.... like hiring the old head coach like Leafs and Blue Jays did.

[bubbsy]

it's about time!

[bubbsy]

also, man toronto sports teams suck.

[Gozer]

I don't like the move. The team has no talent at the swing position, and no depth at PG. Of course they're not competitive.

Us Raptor fans want to believe that we're the same team we were a couple years ago with Garbo and Delfino, but we're just not that good.

[Machiavelli]

I like him, but something needed to change.

Coaches are dispensable.

[flamingreen]

That overtime loss to New Jersey put him over the top, this road trip just sealed the deal.

[bluejays]

As a strategist, the guy didn't get the job done at all. As a guy, he insulted the media every minute, but it was more sarcastic, dark humor which was lighthearted. I personally liked the guy's personality, and thought it was perfect for coaching, but damn, every single game going in with the same set plays was irritating to watch, and though I hate to see the guy lose his job, I hope Colangelo brings in a guy who can draw up some plays...or bring in assistants who know how. Triano won't cut it. I'm actually really surprised by the timing though. Doesn't often happen that a coach will get cut DURING a slump...moreso afterwards, but not during. Regardless, IMO, it's just Colangelo buying time from shifting the focus off his futile attempt at getting a swingman.

[Bertuzzied]

Maybe they can finally play defense now. Cannot believe he lasted this long.

[Machiavelli]

Leo?

[CaramonLS]

I agree with the firing.

Sam was a really poor X's and O's kind of coach and simply wasn't getting it done when it came to strategy. The above comments are right on the money. He got outcoached a LOT.

I loved his passion and energy he brought to the game, but he was painfully short on the basketball fundamentals. A lot of the times it really seems like there isn't much of a system being played.

[KTown]

About time, there is too much talent on this team to be losing the way they are.

[Hustle]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I agree with the firing.

Sam was a really poor X's and O's kind of coach and simply wasn't getting it done when it came to strategy. The above comments are right on the money. He got outcoached a LOT.

I loved his passion and energy he brought to the game, but he was painfully short on the basketball fundamentals. A lot of the times it really seems like there isn't much of a system being played.

To be fair, some of this needs to be put on Colangelo too. There are blatant holes on that roster. As much as I like Calderon, the guy can't play defense worth a lick and that kills the Raps every game.

That said, Mitchell needed to go. I wonder who Colangelo brings in long-term? Some 'insider' on the Fan 590 mentioned Eddie Jordan... interesting choice. The guy is a great-half court tactician.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Leo?

Ban?

Kidding of course, but I would be furious if they put that clown in charge of the team.