Sammitch on Chad Hartman's show today

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

"Cam makes a good point that Zach is not likely to beat out Ricky, but I would add that he is also never going to beat out Wig...and Wig has shown that he can be dominant offensively and defensively at the SG position. So Zach's best chance to start is if Wig or Ricky misses games. And who do you think is going to miss more games? I suspect that enters into Sam's logic that Zach's best chance of being a star in this league is at the PG position."

The ideal scenario (likely Flip's vision) was to have Rubio-LaVine-Wiggins as the 1-3. Wiggins doesn't have the handle necessary to be that secondary ballhandler we need next to Rubio, and I doubt he ever will. Also, even at small forward, he'll still have the match-up advantage. I used to advocate for Wiggins at SG, but he just can't create offense consistently off the dribble. He's a two-dribble and decision guy, and that's okay.

LaVine has the tools necessary to create that Wiggins just doesn't have (handle, passing vision for a SG, jumper off the bounce). Both LaVine and Wiggins should add some bulk and strength as they get older. They're both still 20-years old. Mitchell hasn't even given that idea some legitimate burn, nor will he. He seems too stubborn to admit he's a jackass.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I'd be interested to hear Bohl's thoughts after his article on Zach on A Wolf Among Wolves. One of his arguments for playing Zach at PG was so he wasn't pigeon holed for the 2 this early in his career. Now he's been pigeon holed as the backup PG for the next 4 years until Ricky's deal is up. I'd be curious to see if his tune has changed knowing Sam intends to keep him at PG.

[Monster]

Well LST I guess you were right about Sam liking Zach at PG. lol

I am trying to digest all this I just finished listening to the spot just now. It's a pretty surprising assertion by Sam.

I think Sam's thin skin is part of what got him fired in Toronto...he doesn't like to be challenged! And when he is, he tends to dig in. I wonder if he really is as definite about Zach at PG as he comes off in this interview, or if he's just pissed off about being constantly challenged. Flip had a great ability to take criticism in a mature way (case in point, Lip's relationship with him)....Sam, not so much. Gets him in trouble sometimes, I think. I gotta admit I enjoy it though!

I was gonna give you a hard time about pushing your agenda but then you outed yourself in the previous post. Lol

I was wondering the same thing if Sam is really so absolutely certain about Zach as a PG forever and for always. It was weeks ago he declared him starting PG it was preseason when he said no to put a position on these guys and now he is declaring him a PG. I don't like that he isn't consistent but expecting basketball guy to come up with a take and stick to it till their grave is sorta silly too. Some of us would rather people not offer up these takes Q was especially frustrated with the Zach is our starting SG declaration and then reversal. I didn't like it either. This declaration is still puzzling too but my guess is that Sam's mind can be changed.

I actually find some interesting similarities to Flip and Sam. Both are unquestioned leaders and will talk your ear off. Both have plenty of opinions and are willing to share. If you question them they will come back and tell you what they are thinking. The way they do it is different to a certain extent but there is a very similar formula. It may not be surprising that they seem to have some similarities in what they have been able to do as coaches.

Flip had a lot of success with PGs now Sam is saying Lavine is a PG. I'll say this again that Sam had every type of PG you can imagine in Toronto and all of them had success. You can argue Sam might know what he is talking about if he says a guy can play PG. That's the positive I can bring to this latest declaration. Lol

Lastly I never really thought Flip had completely closed the door on Lavine as PG. He still would mention he thought he could play there some this offseason. Obviously I don't think he thought it was PG or bust either but I also think Sam may not actually believe that either Flip would tell you what he was thinking at the tile as well sometimes when he was offering up things. I tend to think Sam does too. He would be wise to learn to hold back some but it's Sam he is gonna say stuff and he is gonna sound a lot more cranky than Flip about it. Lol

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

The biggest problem I have with it is Sam's assertion that Zach's only chance at stardom is at PG. That makes no sense to me. Sam really seems to be stuck in the moment and doesn't have much in terms of vision for a 19 year old player. It comes off as he's made his decisions/commitments on Wiggins and Lavine at 19-20 years old which seems way too premature to do. He's making a lot of decisions based on their physical makeups at such a young and undeveloped age. I don't want that to become a cop out for them putting on some much needed strength in the years to come because they technically don't have to if they are staying at the 1 and 2.

[Papalrep]

Zach didnt come up on the TNT pre game, but Andrew did. Kenny the Jet says he's a two. Chuck says that as he matures and gets stronger, he will become a three. I'd guess the same goes for Zach moving to the two.

[Papalrep]

God Damn it Ricky - out again. There is a new Joe Mauer in town. We are fucked.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Ugh, this interview with Mitchell did not leave a good impression. It wasn't just his dogmatic attitude about Zach being a PG (which is funny since he declared him our starting SG a week into camp), but also his defensiveness and tone.

Mitchell might be the type of guy that is good for the next year or two for instilling some basic discipline and defensive fundamentals, but I really question whether he has the sophistication to coach a group of highly-capable players that need to get to the next level.

Was it someone here that said he might be a Scott Skiles type of coach that wears out his welcome with players after a couple years?

[thedoper]

I didn't get the sense Sam is saying Lavine is a PG, but that if Lavine wants to play significant minutes on this team, it will be at point.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I didn't get the sense Sam is saying Lavine is a PG, but that if Lavine wants to play significant minutes on this team, it will be at point.

Unless it's a misquote, this directly disagrees with you.

Sam (annoyed): Yeah, at the end of the day, he's a PG. He will have his success as a PG. He can play a little SG too if the matchups are right, but if he's ever going to be a star, it's going to be as a PG.

[Monster]

Ugh, this interview with Mitchell did not leave a good impression. It wasn't just his dogmatic attitude about Zach being a PG (which is funny since he declared him our starting SG a week into camp), but also his defensiveness and tone.

Mitchell might be the type of guy that is good for the next year or two for instilling some basic discipline and defensive fundamentals, but I really question whether he has the sophistication to coach a group of highly-capable players that need to get to the next level.

Was it someone here that said he might be a Scott Skiles type of coach that wears out his welcome with players after a couple years?

Yeah I think more people have mentioned Mark Jackson which may fit also. I can see the attitude that Jackson seemed to bring tot he warriors in what Sam is doing.

Sam has certainly got this team up and playing which is kind of impressive considering it was the worst team in the league last year Sam found out he was doing the job what like literally 2 months ago and Flip passes away etc etc. there is plenty of stuff we can question about Sam (probably say that for slot of coaches) but the results so far are pretty impressive. I have never watched this team this year and thought they were an overmatched young/mismatched group of players. They always seem to be competing. I am curious to see if it keeps up.

Also it's not like Mark Jackson was some sort of failure as a head coach who is to say he wouldn't have been able to coach that team last year to a title? Kerr did it not gonna take that away from him because you can't but thinking Jackson may have been able to do it is far from absurd in my mind.