Sam Mitchell, meet Mr. Auerbach: Raptors coach takes home trophy

Sam Mitchell is not like many coaches in the NBA-not any more anyway. He doesn't stomp, he doesn't mock, he doesn't try to one up his players. His style is very nurturing, and the mentality is definitely "no I in team".

But there is an I in win, and that is exactly what Mitchell has been able to accomplish this season, taking the Raptors to 47 wins and a playoff berth. In developing stars Chris Bosh and T.J. Ford, Mitchell, even in accepting the Red Auerbach award, said he was floored and dedicated the trophy to the team that had "done the job for him".

It's been quite a turnaround for Mitchell, who was voted as the NBA's worst coach in an anonymous poll taken by NBA players last season. Mitchell took it to heart, and as Bosh mentioned, he's much more composed than ever; this is a key ingredient to why Toronto went from 27-55 to the startling turnaround this year, and things continue to look up for this budding team.

Let that be a lesson to the Bobby Knight lovers of the world--you don't need to put on a show to win. Congrats to Coach Mitchell, you certainly deserve it.

Recent Entries:
· Hornets making it look easy
· Jazz trying to knock out pesky Rockets
· Mavericks start cleaning house at the top

[ READER COMMENTS ]

Add your comments...

We kindly ask that you keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Abusive or inappropriate comments or comments that are specifically promotional in nature may be removed.

Your Name: (required)

Your Email Address: (required, will be kept private)

Your Website's URL: (optional)

Would you like us to remember your info for next time?
YesNo

Your Comments: