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Sams a great guy. I loved watching him in interviews, candid, well spoken, and wouldn't put up with all the regular reporting crap. I will definitely cheer for him in his next coaching gig. I do beleive that the Raps needed a change however. The players simply weren't responding to him anymore other than Bosh, who he turned into an All-Star. Congrats Sam, get some rest, and don't change your interviewing style. Loved it! Go Raps!

He had to go. This team made a big move in getting Jermaine O'Neal and it just couldn't afford an 8-9 start especially with the Celtics, Cavs, and Magic all pulling away from the rest of the pack in the East.

Its best you make this move early and give the new guy Triano, a shot to make it all work.

Well, it's the right move. But anybody that thinks that a coaching change will elevate this team to the level of the Celtics, Magic, Pistons and Cavs has not been watching this team play. They have some major problems:

Each player on this team is a defensive liability - Calderon isn't quick enough to keep opposing points out of the paint; O'Neal is a good defender - when he's healthy, and sorry Raps fans, you won't see that O'Neal this year; Bosh is an average defender, but at least getting better; Kapono is a liability on D; Parker is a good defender, but not good enough to be up to task of guarding the top offensive player on the other team; Bargnani can't defend anyone.

Offensively, they're a jump-shooting team of players who cannot create their own shots - not a single player on this team can create with the exception of Bosh.

The big problem is Colangelo - he started building this team in the image of the Phoenix Suns... and we all know what a success they were - a couple trips to the conference finals, and now with no hope of a title, going into rebuilding mode as soon as they realize this. Now he's stuck with a team that can't run, but can't play slow-down either... they have no identity.

The roster needs an overhaul - with what they have, they won't get out of the first round.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:05 AM ET  12.04 by NOTB

Well, it's the right move. But anybody that thinks that a coaching change will elevate this team to the level of the Celtics, Magic, Pistons and Cavs has not been watching this team play. They have some major problems:Each player on this team is a defensive liability - Calderon isn't quick enough to keep opposing points out of the paint; O'Neal is a good defender - when he's healthy, and sorry Raps fans, you won't see that O'Neal this year; Bosh is an average defender, but at least getting better; Kapono is a liability on D; Parker is a good defender, but not good enough to be up to task of guarding the top offensive player on the other team; Bargnani can't defend anyone. Offensively, they're a jump-shooting team of players who cannot create their own shots - not a single player on this team can create with the exception of Bosh.The big problem is Colangelo - he started building this team in the image of the Phoenix Suns... and we all know what a success they were - a couple trips to the conference finals, and now with no hope of a title, going into rebuilding mode as soon as they realize this. Now he's stuck with a team that can't run, but can't play slow-down either... they have no identity.The roster needs an overhaul - with what they have, they won't get out of the first round.

Co-sign. O'neal is too injury prone, just as him and Bosh were looking good, he gets injured. This team has a decent roster, just needs a new identity and a couple new players, some defenders. They need a Bruce Bowen or Tayshaun Prince type player. Still, the current roster is too good to be at 8-9.

win and you keep your job, lose and you are unemployeed. pretty simple really. except for Larry Brown.

They need to go get Avery Johnson or Jeff Van Gundy!

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:05 AM ET  12.04 by NOTB

Well, it's the right move. But anybody that thinks that a coaching change will elevate this team to the level of the Celtics, Magic, Pistons and Cavs has not been watching this team play.

No I don't think a coaching move will raise them to that level. I was just implying that a change needs to be made now in order to keep themselves relevant with the rest of the pack in the East.

It's standard procedure to fire a coach when a team goes in the tank, but this team is missing key pieces. A coaching change isn't going to improve the box scores. O'Neal has been inconsistent, and Bosh is not getting the help he needs from the rest of the supporting cast. This team is simply not as good as was previously thought. Having said that, a new coach may change the attitude of the players, but unless he can penetrate, and hit the open man, it isn't going to change anything.

I saw this coming a mile away. I guess those unemployed coaches ala Avery Johnson and VanGundy may have a job soon.

"This wasn't all about Sam's failings as a coach. We are not a team without flaws. I'm wearing (8-9) like Sam's wearing it." - But you kept your job and Sam got fired.

"We haven't lost confidence in the roster. But our players have been down the past couple of weeks, they've lost that swagger (from a 3-0 start). - No just the coach.

"Now there are no more excuses with regards to Sam Mitchell as coach."- So you did this as a favor to Sam? When the losing continues, who takes the blame this time?

they wanted him out 2 years ago -

I disagree with most of you- I think if Oneal stays healthy
this will be a better team as the season goes on.....

Obviously they have flaws...namely a quality 2 guard.
But I still think they need a little time to gel

I don't watch enough Toronto games to know how bad of a coach Sam Mitchell was (every losing team thinks its the coaches fault) but I think people had unrealistic expectations going into this season. Some "experts" pegged them as one of the top 4 teams in the east better then Detroit and the Magic totally throwing O'Neal's injury history out the window. This is exactly where I thought they would be they are 5 games over .500 at best. To make the coach the fall guy I think is a little dishonest.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:07 AM ET  12.04 by jgb

they wanted him out 2 years ago -I disagree with most of you- I think if Oneal stays healthythis will be a better team as the season goes on.....Obviously they have flaws...namely a quality 2 guard.But I still think they need a little time to gel

How can you tell since they will obviously be changing their style of play for the rest of the season.

Will they adopt the Avery Johnson style: Emphasis defense and execution.

Will they adopt the Van Gundy style: Kick it to the big man down low and let him decide what to do with it (inside/out basketball).

Or will a new coach bring an entirely different philosophy?

I think they'll keep losing until the find a new coach and a style that compliments their personnel (run -n- gun, the triangle, something).

Is it even possible that he was a fired from the product of a bad trade? Guy brings your awful franchise too the playoff then you make whole changes and give him 17 games this guy got a raw deal PERIOD! Don't worry Sam go coach the Sonics ooooops i mean the Thunder bring them up to the playoffs and watch that franchise **** on you

Stupid move....Mitchell was a class act and just because O'Neal trade backfired he had to go when they also dealt a solid PG with a guy that is showing he cant hold up to the rigors of starting day in and day out without a reliable backup PG

Averaging 97ppg and giving up 101ppg

Drafting Andrea comes back to bite them in the ****

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 11:23 AM ET  12.04 by Petey024

How can you tell since they will obviously be changing their style of play for the rest of the season. Will they adopt the Avery Johnson style: Emphasis defense and execution.Will they adopt the Van Gundy style: Kick it to the big man down low and let him decide what to do with it (inside/out basketball).Or will a new coach bring an entirely different philosophy? I think they'll keep losing until the find a new coach and a style that compliments their personnel (run -n- gun, the triangle, something).

I have no FACT that they will be better-
it's just my opinion.
They will not COMPLETELY gut the offensive philosophy-
you can't do that mid-season without training camp

Oneal has NEVER played with a frontcourt player the
caliber of Bosh & vice versa....it takes time to adjust

They are in 7th place right now & could be a 5th seed
if they get rolling....

Sometimes the Raptors just need to realize THERE THE F'IN RAPTORS. You have been nothing forever and now you have something going and you throw it away your in seventh place you gave the playoffs now!

they should give eddie jordan a call. i think his coaching style fits with this team.... they need to upgrade their sg and sf positions.... gerald wallace is tempting but he is injury prone.

i can see a shortage of good shooting guards in the nba these past few years... a number of teams are already playing undersize or unproven 2s (heat, grizzlies, warriors, raptors, bulls, hornets, jazz, magic, cavs, clippers, etc.) nowadays when it was the one of the strongest positions before...

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 12:17 PM ET  12.04 by jgb

I have no FACT that they will be better- it's just my opinion.They will not COMPLETELY gut the offensive philosophy- you can't do that mid-season without training campOneal has NEVER played with a frontcourt player thecaliber of Bosh & vice versa....it takes time to adjustThey are in 7th place right now & could be a 5th seedif they get rolling....

I wasn't looking for FACTS, just the basis of you opinion. It seems you're basing it on the fact that Bosh and O'Neal will fed of each other. Good assumption, if Bosh sticks around aster 2010.