Wolves Back Mitchell

[Coolbreeze44]

http://www.startribune.com/andrew-wiggins-other-wolves-players-express-support-for-interim-coach-sam-mitchell/375451181/

Interesting. Reading this I have to admit, I'm not nearly as anti-Sam coming back as I have been. I'd still prefer an upgrade, but if the players are this solidly behind him he can't be all bad.

[TAFKASP]

http://www.startribune.com/andrew-wiggins-other-wolves-players-express-support-for-interim-coach-sam-mitchell/375451181/

Interesting. Reading this I have to admit, I'm not nearly as anti-Sam coming back as I have been. I'd still prefer an upgrade, but if the players are this solidly behind him he can't be all bad.

To me the fact that Sam is a hard ass type of coach and yet retains the support of a young team says a lot! I don't think Sam will be the guy when this team is ready to contend but I'm less upset about the idea of him sticking around another year.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This isn't anything new, though. Players, especially young players, will support bad coaches because they're comfortable with them and their personalities and/or they like the person for who he is as a person. Sam's well-liked throughout the franchise. Still doesn't mean he's the right guy for the job.

As for the quotes in the article, I wouldn't make much of them. Towns and Wiggins are just great guys. I have a feeling they'd back anyone in that role because that's how they were raised. Also, what else were they going to tell the media? "Fuck no. I hate Coach and I hope he's fired yesterday." That's just not realistic in today's world. They were never going to give a poor comment about their head coach and even the comments they did make weren't THAT supportive. Yes, Sam Mitchell did do an OK job considering the unexpected loss of Flip Saunders. Yes, Sam Mitchell is a player's coach. He supposedly thrives off motivation and whatnot (obviously it isn't his concepts). Yes, Wiggins and others did already have a relationship with Sam Mitchell before this year.

Out of all that, I'd look more into why Dieng didn't comment. To me, that was the biggest part of that article. Why didn't he give an answer like Wiggins and Towns? If he actually did want Mitchell to stay around, answering that question would have been easy. Instead, he took the veteran approach by saying that it wasn't his decision to make. Read in between the lines and Dieng is probably open to a new hire.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Michael hated the Phil hiring. Curry wanted to keep Mark Jackson. Players don't make the best coaching decisions. I feel like it's a mistake, but let's give Sam a bunch and proceed from there.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Doesn't Taylor own the Star Tribune? They are clearly preparing readers for another year with Mitchell.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Doesn't Taylor own the Star Tribune? They are clearly preparing readers for another year with Mitchell.

Probably. It is Glen "No Nuts" Taylor we're talking about. We'll go another year with Mitchell allowing the really attractive coaching options to find other homes. That sounds about right. Minnesota Timberwolves! Never fails.

[Mstermisty [enjin:6864008]]

I'm preparing myself for Mitchell to be back, but I know it's a mistake. They have the perfect situation right now to lure in a top notch coach, someone who could be with the team for a while. In my opinion even if they keep Mitchell he will last a maximum of two more seasons. Mitchell's erratic in game decision making and poor lineup management will lead to the team not reaching it's potential.

I would love to be proven wrong and will happily eat crow if we keep Mitchell and the team thrives, but I just don't see him magically becoming a much smarter game coach.

The argument in favor of Mitchell is that the team has played better as of late and seems to be turning the corner, all of which I will agree with. My question is tho, how much has this to do with the coaching, and how much of it is simply that we have a lot of talented young players and it was only a matter of time (if given the opportunity..ie Zach starting) before they stopped being a league doormat. Because at the end of the day, is 29 wins with this group, after starting 8-8, really much of an accomplishment?

#NeverMitchell

[Lipoli390]

I concluded a couple weeks ago that Sam would return as our head coach next season -- probably under a 2 or 3-year contract. I think the players reached that same conclusion some time ago so I'm not surprised some of them are singing his praises.

Interesting that Gorgui declined to say anything. Nothing from Gorgui, Zach, or Ricky. In any event, no matter what some or all the players really think, TRKO is right that players don't necessarily make the best coaching decisions. Granted, Sam's not all bad. But as others have said, what's really unfortunate about bringing Sam back is the missed opportunity to get an elite coach at a time when this team's potential makes it a destination franchise for top front office and head coaching candidates.

[kekgeek]

I concluded a couple weeks ago that Sam would return as our head coach next season -- probably under a 2 or 3-year contract. I think the players reached that same conclusion some time ago so I'm not surprised some of them are singing his praises.

Interesting that Gorgui declined to say anything. Nothing from Gorgui, Zach, or Ricky. In any event, no matter what some or all the players really think, TRKO is right that players don't necessarily make the best coaching decisions. Granted, Sam's not all bad. But as others have said, what's really unfortunate about bringing Sam back is the missed opportunity to get an elite coach at a time when this team's potential makes it a destination franchise for top front office and head coaching candidates.

It sucks there are 4 legit possibility coaches out there that have coached in a conference final in thibs, brooks, JVG and Blatt (not that high on Blatt but still). The wolves are going to keep with Mitchell, in the end Mitchell was fine for this wolves season with his coaching style but I watched him enough this year to know he can't be the coach going forward.

It just sucks that in the biggest offseason since the Sprewell, and Cassell days we are going to be run by a bad owner, a below average coach and an unproven GM.

[repplile [enjin:15963438]]

I'm not a strong supporter of Mitchell, but I don't see it as a real issue if he returns. Though we may compete for and even make the playoffs next year, I can't see us as a real contender. The Mitchell situation reminds me of Mark Jackson in Golden State. He's here for a few years to develop the team into a playoff team before it is eventually handed off to a better coach to put it over the top. I see that coach being hired in a year or two, and I suspect it will be Joerger when he is fired from Memphis.

As much as we like to paint this year as a golden opportunity for a premier coaching hire, realistically there are great candidates available seemingly every year. I think we'll be equally well positioned to hire one of these top tier coaches once we've got team of 22 year olds competing in the playoffs, rather than simply a bunch of young guys with potential. For that reason, I don't see retaining Sam this season as a particularly big issue.