Windhorst: Sam Mitchell won't be returning

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

For some reason, recent news about the Wolves bringing in Thibodeau/Layden has me hearing This Magic Moment by The Drifters in my head...

I couldn't place the song so I looked it up and just listened to it. Good stuff.

Wow, I knew we had some old souls on this board, but that is definitely a trip in the way-back machine!

Funny thing is, I'm not nearly as old as that reference might make me sound. That's why it made me laugh!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Woj tweeting that the talks with Thibs are escalating. Maybe Sid did have the inside track. I guess we can't send him out to pasture just yet.

Or, he played the odds.

Nah, if this gets done, we have to concede that Sid nailed this one...and he was very specific. Sunday night he said it would be Thibs and the deal would get done before Friday. You gotta hand it to him...he works harder than most of us at age 96!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

For some reason, recent news about the Wolves bringing in Thibodeau/Layden has me hearing This Magic Moment by The Drifters in my head...

I couldn't place the song so I looked it up and just listened to it. Good stuff.

Wow, I knew we had some old souls on this board, but that is definitely a trip in the way-back machine!

Funny thing is, I'm not nearly as old as that reference might make me sound. That's why it made me laugh!

Jay and the Americans were more successful with their cover of this song in the late 60s, but the Drifters version Cam mentions is a much better version.

[Monster]

Man, I wonder if Noah can get back to anything close to his form from a couple years ago. If he could, and we somehow brought him in and Deng too, with Thibs as coach, we should be able to make a big improvement defensively.

I actually think Noah's gonna end up in Dallas. Gut feeling on that one.

And if KG's coming back, which it seems likely that he is, having him around Noah doesn't seem like the greatest of ideas despite them both being Thibs guys.

I'd have interest in Hinrich as the crusty old guy that can still get it done at times when Tyus isn't up to the task. I've always loved Kirk though he is a local guy so that's part of it but I do love his game.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Well there you have it. We are going to win a lot of games next year. I'm saying the goal is at least 50 wins and a top 4 seed. The improvement should be that dramatic as the Western conference becomes weaker.

I also reserve the right to bitch if this thing comes off the tracks in 2-3 years. :d

The key is whether KAT buys in. From there... the players set their own hierarchy. But it all starts with the team's best player. Duncan set the tone in SA. Nowitzki cleared the way in Dallas. Conversely, Boogie Cousins set the tone in Sacramento.

I'm not comparing KAT to Cousins... only that having the best player be on the same page as the coach... makes things infinitely easier.

Fortunately, that's easier when the team wins. I don't know about 50 wins (barring other offseason moves), but this team is poised to win more and more games in future seasons.

Finally... Optimistic Abe has reasons to surface.


[Note: I'd be optimistic about the team's future with Van Gundy, Joerger or Brooks as well.]

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Man, I wonder if Noah can get back to anything close to his form from a couple years ago. If he could, and we somehow brought him in and Deng too, with Thibs as coach, we should be able to make a big improvement defensively.

I actually think Noah's gonna end up in Dallas. Gut feeling on that one.

And if KG's coming back, which it seems likely that he is, having him around Noah doesn't seem like the greatest of ideas despite them both being Thibs guys.

I'd have interest in Hintich as the crusty old guy that can still get it done at times when Tyus isn't up to the task. I've always loved Kirk though he is a local guy so that's part of it but I do love his game.

I'd still rather go get ole Ronnie Price. Think he'd become a new Thibs favorite. That guy is pesky as hell.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Man, I wonder if Noah can get back to anything close to his form from a couple years ago. If he could, and we somehow brought him in and Deng too, with Thibs as coach, we should be able to make a big improvement defensively.

I actually think Noah's gonna end up in Dallas. Gut feeling on that one.

And if KG's coming back, which it seems likely that he is, having him around Noah doesn't seem like the greatest of ideas despite them both being Thibs guys.

I'd have interest in Hintich as the crusty old guy that can still get it done at times when Tyus isn't up to the task. I've always loved Kirk though he is a local guy so that's part of it but I do love his game.

I'd still rather go get ole Ronnie Price. Think he'd become a new Thibs favorite. That guy is pesky as hell.

Well, he certainly was in that one game vs. the Wolves. But does he play like that every night?

I don't know the answer to that...

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Well there you have it. We are going to win a lot of games next year. I'm saying the goal is at least 50 wins and a top 4 seed. The improvement should be that dramatic as the Western conference becomes weaker.

I also reserve the right to bitch if this thing comes off the tracks in 2-3 years. :d

The key is whether KAT buys in. From there... the players set their own hierarchy. But it all starts with the team's best player. Duncan set the tone in SA. Nowitzki cleared the way in Dallas. Conversely, Boogie Cousins set the tone in Sacramento.

I'm not comparing KAT to Cousins... only that having the best player be on the same page as the coach... makes things infinitely easier.

Fortunately, that's easier when the team wins. I don't know about 50 wins (barring other offseason moves), but this team is poised to win more and more games in future seasons.

Finally... Optimistic Abe has reasons to surface.


[Note: I'd be optimistic about the team's future with Van Gundy, Joerger or Brooks as well.]

KAT buying in is the least of my worries...he just doesn't seem to be the kind of guy that will ever cause any problems. I thought Sam was pretty tough on KAT at times this year, especially early in the season, and KAT never seemed to mind.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Man, I wonder if Noah can get back to anything close to his form from a couple years ago. If he could, and we somehow brought him in and Deng too, with Thibs as coach, we should be able to make a big improvement defensively.

I actually think Noah's gonna end up in Dallas. Gut feeling on that one.

And if KG's coming back, which it seems likely that he is, having him around Noah doesn't seem like the greatest of ideas despite them both being Thibs guys.

I'd have interest in Hintich as the crusty old guy that can still get it done at times when Tyus isn't up to the task. I've always loved Kirk though he is a local guy so that's part of it but I do love his game.

I'd still rather go get ole Ronnie Price. Think he'd become a new Thibs favorite. That guy is pesky as hell.

Well, he certainly was in that one game vs. the Wolves. But does he play like that every night?

I don't know the answer to that...

Not to sound like I know everything about Price, because I don't, but yeah, he brings that type of energy every night. He's got that gritty, pain in the ass switch like Tony Allen and Pat Beverley, though not as good overall clearly.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Man, I wonder if Noah can get back to anything close to his form from a couple years ago. If he could, and we somehow brought him in and Deng too, with Thibs as coach, we should be able to make a big improvement defensively.

I actually think Noah's gonna end up in Dallas. Gut feeling on that one.

And if KG's coming back, which it seems likely that he is, having him around Noah doesn't seem like the greatest of ideas despite them both being Thibs guys.

Like I mentioned previously, there is sometimes too much of a good thing. Thibs is high-intensity enough as it is. I don't want too many "mentors" and coaches in these guys' shorts all the time. Of course, I was a little worried about the Mitchell/KG combination this past season and it seems like KG took a back seat and was very supportive overall.....I just don't want strait jackets put around these kids.

I hear you on not putting straightjackets on the young guys. But I think Noah would realize he's coming in to be a backup guy. It would be easier for him to accept a bench role on a new team with a coach he trusts. And assuming he's even half the player he was, I think he could still serve a needed defensive role off the bench. That's a role we definitely need filled. Gorgui and Towns starting with Noah and Bjelica off the bench and some spot minutes for KG would still give the young guys plenty of minutes while still serving a crucial defensive role for us. I don't see Noah as just a mentor although I love his energy (which again, we need). Hell, he was in conversation for MVP a few years ago. Plus the dude is a great teammate, so I wouldn't see any beef with KG at all. If Deng came in, it would be the same thing as a defensive wing option (who is an efficient and flexible offensive player) to pair with the more offensive-minded Bazz off the bench. Still plenty of minutes to go around, and again, Deng is a great teammate. I think adding those two would also be good injury insurance and make sure Thibs doesn't overwork Wiggins, LaVine, or Towns too early. Win, win, win IMO.