Mitchell: "I'm Demanding But Fair"

by Net Income on Aug 27, 2010 1:48 PM EDT

Sam Mitchell and Avery Johnson came from small schools but had long NBA careers. Known as scrappy defenders, they made certain their teammates delivered. Then after their playing careers ended, they worked their way up the coaching ranks, each winning coach of the year.

Now, after being dumped by the Mavericks and Raptors, they're together in New Jersey. It's no accident. They agreed during the spring that whichever one got a head coaching job would talk to the other about being lead assistant.

Mitchell will have a lot to do with molding the team's four rookies, particularly fellow Georgia native Derrick Favors. Mitchell says he plans to be "demanding but fair" and if the Nets have success, he's hoping for another shot at the big seat on the sidelines. "if I do my job the way I know I’m capable of, and then the right opportunity comes along, Avery Johnson will sing my praises," Mitchell explains.

NETS: Assisting Avery: Mitchell Leads the Youth Movement - Ben Couch - New Jersey Nets
Still Not Contenders, Nets on the Rise With New Head Coach Avery Johnson - Evans Clinchy - NESN

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very happy about our staff

We have a great group

by RandyOreens on Aug 27, 2010 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

agreed...

by bbatts30 on Aug 27, 2010 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

very lucky

to have a great staff for this year.. I just can’t wait to get this year going

by Jumpoff856 on Aug 27, 2010 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

This is what I am talking about.

Ego aside. Lets play some ball.

by SIC One on Aug 27, 2010 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

Sam Mitchell is probably the most important person in determining whether Favors is really "untradable" as part of a Mello deal.

If Mitchell feels that Favors will someday be comparable to Amare in overall ability, then his answer is NO to including Favors.

by jerry25 on Aug 27, 2010 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

Is there a possible conflict of interests involved?

You would think the Nets coaching staff and Billy King would like to win as soon as possible. Don’t want to lose your job in 2 years then have Favors emerge in year 3…

I sometimes wonder if there is a “go between” guy/guys advising Proky, apart from Nets formal G.M. and coaching staff in the U.S?

by M I K E on Aug 27, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Avery (3 year contract) would have pushed harder for Cousins over Favors if he was looking short term.

Maybe he did for all we know, but I bet Avery expects to be a winner and get extended.

by jerry25 on Aug 27, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Mitchell is going to be bad cop. This is a good situation for nets fans. Our players will be hel accountable on every level. even practice. We have old school hard ass coaches.

by power_njerz on Aug 27, 2010 5:46 PM EDT reply actions

yep

Our coaches are animals. These kids better grow some thick skins in a hurry because if someone is playing lazy they will get destroyed emotionally

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Aug 28, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions