Toronto Star's Interview With Sam Mitchell
In a season filled with change, the Toronto Raptors were expected to be one of the teams at the bottom of the barrell. Suprisingly, Toronto has caught many teams off guard with their impressive play and after their predicted sluggish 1-3 start, the Raptors have turned it around and are now one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference; sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division with a 13-7 record after going 8-2 in their previous ten games. Someone or something had to be responsible for turning things around so quickly in Raptorland after going several seasons of being deprived of post-season play. One of the names that have come up are the Raptors' head coach Sam Mitchell.
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STAR: Well Sam, you've had a pretty good career as a ball player and now you have recently started coaching. How is it different from playing?
Mitchell: Well, coaching is completely different from playing first of all. Coaching, I'd have to say it's a lot more stressful (laughs). But I knew what I was getting into. I'm just trying to focus on the positives and use that as a guiding light for the future.
STAR: There have been many changes this season. What do you think has been the largest shake up in this organization?
Mitchell: The Carter trade was obviously a huge one. We had some really good veterans and it's a shame that I couldn't keep guys like Eric Williams and Alonzo Mourning here for that long. The trade that we made with the Clippers also gave a more larger impact on the team than the trade involving Orlando and New Orleans, but those trades also were pretty big. We finally got a true centre in Battie and an athletic monster in Stevenson, and we also somehow got an extremely talented J.R. Smith from the Hornets.
STAR: Rob Babcock took some heat in some of those trades and he also drafted Rafael Araujo, which also caused some uneasiness. Is it finally paying off now?
Mitchell: Definitely! We are winning more games now aren't we? (laughs) Rob always tried to make aquisitions that benefit the team and the future, and I'm always behind him 100%.
STAR: Speaking of trades and aquisitions, what do you see in Corey Maggette, Chris Wilcox and Kerry Kittles after you traded for them at the trade deadline?
Mitchell: All three of them are competitors. They play hard every night and that's all I can ask for. Corey has obviously gotten that slow start off of his back and is playing like the superstar he's supposed to be. Kerry is just playing fabulously as our sixth man, he's one of the older guys on our team and I think he's really trying to set the tone for our younger guys. I really like Wilcox too. He's just so young and so talented, I'd like to play him a little more if time permits.
STAR: Vince Carter wanted out this season and he is now playing at an MVP candidate level. He also admitted that he never gave everything into the game. Any comments?
Mitchell: I think he was just taken out of context. Obviously injuries and things like that have hurt his reputation, but I don't think Vince is that type of guy. It hurt pretty badly to have to trade him away, but we can't dwell on that and we've got a bright future ahead of us with players like Bosh, Maggette, Smith, Alston and Stevenson.
STAR: You got into a little squabble with J.R. Smith about him not starting earlier this season. Could you elaborate on that?
Mitchell: There's nothing to elaborate. He just wanted to start, and I said he'd have to work his butt off to get that spot. I don't think J.R. took it in any wrong way or whatever, he was just frustrated I guess.
STAR: Is his future with the Raptors important?
Mitchell: Why of course! He's 19 and he can put up some impressive numbers. Sure he'll lose concentration once in a while, it always happens. You just have to keep pushing him in the right way and eventually he'll be able to get himself going. He's showing that he is a maturing player and he can keep up with the rest of them.
STAR: How would you elvaluate Chris Bosh's game right now? His strengths? His weaknesses?
Mitchell: Bosh has what it takes to be a good player. He works hard in practice and in games, and you're beginning to see that Bosh is a little more versatile and has worked on his overall game. He's very mature for his age and we are definitely trying to make our team compliment him and make him the leader of this team. Your team plays with the confidence and the heart your star player does, so that's what has really impressed me.
STAR: People have compared him to Kevin Garnett, one of the most best players in the league right now. Now you've played with Garnett back in Minnesota. Do you agree?
Mitchell: It's a very big compliment for him and it's a big comparison to live up to. It's hard to tell since Bosh is just scratching the surface and Garnett is already a proven veteran and MVP for his team. Hopefully Bosh will develop into that kind of player, and Bosh has the work ethic and heart to do so.
STAR: Can you describe to us what was the difference between being an assistant coach back in Milwaukee and a head coach now? What is the style and philosphy that you are trying to instill into this team?
Mitchell: As an assistant coach you didn't take any blame for a loss (laughs). The assistant job was helping me get acquainted with coaching and sort of help me get an easier understanding of it. Now as a head coach, I have to apply those understandings and take more responsibility for my actions. I'm trying to get my guys to work hard and play at 100% every night. I can accept mistakes and losses, but if you're not giving it your all than you're basically just giving up on the team.
STAR: Well that's all the time we have for today, good luck on making the post season and thank you for your time.
Mitchell: Thank you.