Sam Mitchell :::Axed:::

[dreday]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

The Toronto Raptors fired coach Sam Mitchell on Wednesday, one day after a 39-point loss to the Denver Nuggets that the team’s management described as a “debacle.”

Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo named longtime assistant coach Jay Triano interim coach and said Triano “in all likelihood” would stay in place for the remainder for the season. His first game will be Friday in Utah against the Jazz.

After strengthening their frontline in the summer with a trade for center Jermaine O’Neal, the Raptors had hoped to challenge the Boston Celtics in the Atlantic Division. Star forward Chris Bosh has responded with the best season of his career and point guard Jose Calderon is an All-Star candidate, but the Raptors have struggled to an 8-9 record. The team is currently on a three-game trip through the West that began with lopsided losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Nuggets.

“This team is a lot better than a 8-9 record,” Colangelo said on a conference call early Wednesday evening. “…We feel we were not getting the maximization of this roster we had hoped for.”

 

[CedarPhin]

Toronto has really underachieved this season.

 

[ChambersWI]

A hire that should have never been made. Mitchell had almost no experience as an assistant when Bab**** hired him, and his first year as HC there were a lot of problems including him getting into a fight with Rafer Alston. When Coangelo came in, Mitchell was in the last year of a 3 year deal (and by all accounts Coangelo didn't want him back), but he could not justify letting Mitch walk after winning the Atlantic.

This year, Mitchell's lack of ability is really showing. He doesn't run plays, and for a guy who wants a good defensive team, doesn't coach defense.