Next Game:
TOR @ CLE - Tue. Oct. 7 - 7:00 p.m.

"He tends to take some criticism because he has sort of a weird body, but he takes a lot of pride in his game."
- Donyell Marshall's agent, Andy Miller

August 3, 2006
by: Scott
Permalink

The NBA's schedule-maker certainly has a flair for the dramatic. The Raptors' first three games of the 2006-07 season all feature prominent ex-Raptors. The season opens November 1 against Vince Carter and the Nets, followed by the home opener against Charlie Villanueva and the Bucks, before Matt Bonner's return to Toronto as a member of the Spurs. As interesting as that is, it's more important to note that 18 of the first 28 games are on the road. When you combine that with the nine new players on this team, it looks like this team might get off to another rocky start next season.

I'm not so sure Bryan Colangelo will be willing to accept the tough schedule and developing team chemistry as excuses for a poor start. With all the drastic changes he's made to this team, there is one significant part that remains untouched. Sam Mitchell is still this team's coach – but for how long?

There are a number of theories about why Mitchell remains in his position, and none of them include actual job security. With one year left on his contract under a new management group, he's as lame as a duck can be. As a best case scenario, Mitchell is auditioning for an extension. If he leads this team to the playoffs, he might have a future in Toronto. But sometimes, winning isn't enough. Ask Joe Dumars about Rick Carlisle.

So I propose to you that Sam is a goner no matter what happens this season. I just don't think he fits Colangelo's vision of who he wants to lead this team. Rick Adelman might be in his radar but I think it's more likely that he'll hire Marc Iavaroni away from Phoenix after this season – or he'll poach the best foreign coach as recommended by Assistant GM Maurizio Gherardini.

If I'm in Sam's shoes and I know my fate is sealed, I might decide to just start acting wacky so I can get fired and move on with my life. You know, fun stuff like growing a "fro-hawk" and talking like Pootie Tang in all my interviews. ("Norma, I'm going to sine your pitty on the runny kine!")

Of course, the real reason he will probably get fired is that he lacks the D'Antoni-esque creativity to get the most out of his players. And based on his dealings with Jose Calderon last season, I don't think this team's international flavor is going to particularly suit him. Anyone want to place wagers on how long it takes him to go all Jules Winnifield on one of the new players? "English, motherf***er! Do you speak it?" 

Raptors sign unusually tall man