Sam Mitchell Interview -B Robson Parts one and two(pg 4)

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I do wonder how many of these guys grow up playing basketball running plays and then they don't know how to play in a flow system that's more read and react than the simplicity of running a play. When he says things like 3 guys end up in the same spot on offense that has me believe that they could easily just be used to running actual plays instead of having to consider multiple options at all times to be in the right spot or make the right play. They're used to knowing exactly where they need to go and not used to moving based on what the defense is giving you. One requires understanding all the little nuances of the game while the other can pretty much be run in the dark. It would make sense why 20 year olds can't do the former very well if they've done the latter their whole lives.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Agreed Q. We talked about this in a different thread, can't blame the players here. I don't buy the 8-8 record was a result of playing for Flip. Something has happened with the coaching, mentoring.

[Monster]

I'm no Mitchell supporter but he makes many great points that I as a casual BB fan never consider, never knew to consider. It's easy to just lay blame at Sam's feet, and in many ways it's appropriate, but much of what he talks about helps me to understand what I've been seeing from this team in terms of spacing and screens and the like.

After reading these two articles I have a lot more respect for Sam, and a lot more respect for just how big a job he faces with this particular group of players. For as much as Wiggins gets 20 a game it's clear to even the casual viewer that he has a long ways to go, the same for a guy like KAT, his game is far more mature than he is, yet he still has a long ways to go. Move on from the two cornerstones and your find guys like G, Bazz, and Zach who all clearly have great physical abilities but struggle mightily with the whys and hows which is further compounded by having a savvy vet like Rubio who's own shortcomings shine a spotlight on his young teammates weaknesses rather than help hide them.

I've said before and i say again, I'm fine with having Sam coaching this team, just not as a head coach.

Great post. Sam as AP guy would say "Pulls back the curtain" here and gives you a lot of info and perspective that's really interesting that you don't get alot of times. I tried to take a step back and take in some of that info considering Sam just as a basketball mind regardless of what position he has for this franchise.

Yeah, I definitely empathize with Sam's plight. He's dealing with a lot of guys who have crappy fundamentals and instincts, so he's having to start at ground zero.

That being said, I don't know how he can explain going 8-8 to start the year and 4-20 (or something like that) since then. He's doing something wrong. Zach LaVine can't be blamed for all of it!

Well Sam explained part of why they started well saying they beat the systems they played against. I'll explain my theory and it's maybe too simple. Every year some bad teams start out hot and they fade. It doesn't matter what level of sport you are playing the team's level of play the first few games is completely different than later in the season. Some teams can look really good at the beginning because other teams haven't found their whatever it is. The Wolves didn't keep getting better at the rate the other teams did. That Sam Mitchell play hard tough do these things well or whatever wasn't enough. Realistically we don't know how much better this would be if someone better than Sam had ended up with this job. I'm in the camp right now of moving on from Sam after this season and probably Milt too but yeah Sam had a tough gig and still does.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Agreed Q. We talked about this in a different thread, can't blame the players here. I don't buy the 8-8 record was a result of playing for Flip. Something has happened with the coaching, mentoring.

I think it's dangerous to blame it solely on Mitchell.

The players have to take some of the blame when a team goes 4 - 20.

[Coolbreeze44]

I teach my 13 year olds how to run a read and react offense with very few set plays. We have limited practice time, yet over the process of a season they get a very good understanding of what we're trying to do. They develop good spacing habits, learn ball movement, set good screens, and learn to react to what the defense is giving them. THESE ARE 13 YEAR OLD KIDS! Too much apologizing on here for Sam. Get the job done.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think we just found our next coach.

My question is whether Cool will give me the same 65 minutes of on-the-record stuff next season...

[fingers crossed]

[Coolbreeze44]

I think we just found our next coach.

My question is whether Cool will give me the same 65 minutes of on-the-record stuff next season...

[fingers crossed]

My door is always open.

[m4gor [enjin:6667447]]

the point where i knew i am done with Sam was when Zach lost his self-confidence, no matter what Sam says or does, this just cannot happen, just no .. i mean you cannot go in front of thousands of people and do something you are not confident about .. also if you know you will train players this young, you have to be prepared to foster them up a bit, take some heat for them cheer them up just like parent would ..
Sam is in denial about his own mistakes and throws everybody under the bus just to look better

[AbeVigodaLive]

the point where i knew i am done with Sam was when Zach lost his self-confidence, no matter what Sam says or does, this just cannot happen, just no .. i mean you cannot go in front of thousands of people and do something you are not confident about .. also if you know you will train players this young, you have to be prepared to foster them up a bit, take some heat for them cheer them up just like parent would ..
Sam is in denial about his own mistakes and throws everybody under the bus just to look better

I'm ok with a bit of "tough love" for LaVine. All praise for so many bad habits has its own negative impact.

I do disagree, however, with throwing the kid under the bus publicly. It's one thing to break a kid's game down to build it up the right way. It's another to just break it down to cover your own ass...

[Coolbreeze44]

the point where i knew i am done with Sam was when Zach lost his self-confidence, no matter what Sam says or does, this just cannot happen, just no .. i mean you cannot go in front of thousands of people and do something you are not confident about .. also if you know you will train players this young, you have to be prepared to foster them up a bit, take some heat for them cheer them up just like parent would ..
Sam is in denial about his own mistakes and throws everybody under the bus just to look better

I'm ok with a bit of "tough love" for LaVine. All praise for so many bad habits has its own negative impact.

I do disagree, however, with throwing the kid under the bus publicly. It's one thing to break a kid's game down to build it up the right way. It's another to just break it down to cover your own ass...

Excellent points by each of you.