The New Orleans Pelicans have shaken up their coaching staff yet again, with former Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Sam Mitchell joining the squad. With the couching carousel in progress and free agency around the corner, we are very excited to welcome Dan Favale of Bleacher Report NBA, NBA Math, Hardwood Knocks and The Step Back onto the Podcast to answer a few questions on the future of the Pelicans.
For the conversation in its entirety, click the player below:
The New Orleans Pelicans are fast and furious with news this month after what seemed an interminably slow beginning to the 2017 offseason.
After giving General Manager Dell Demps and Head Coach Alvin Gentry “a vote of confidence,” the Pelicans have replaced assistant coaches Robert Pack and Phil Weber with Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets offensive mastermind Chris Finch, and now with former Head Coach Sam Mitchell.
Joining these two illustrious coaches with Associate Head Coach Darren Erman, certainly makes for a crowded bench behind Alvin Gentry.
We discussed Chris Finch’s hire in depth with Denver Stiff’s Editor and Locked on Nuggets podcast host Adam Mares here, but now its time to dive into the most recent hire of Sam Mitchell.
Sam Mitchell enjoyed a decorated 13 year career as a member of the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves, and earned the respect of one Kevin Garnett. His career led to an immediate landing on the bench with the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets, before sending him to Toronto where he achieved a division title and the Coach of the Year award in 2007 before being dismissed 17 games into the 2008 season.
Mitchell remained the longest tenured coach in the Raptors brief history and surpassed Lenny Wilkens for most wins before being outsted by current coach Dwayne Casey in both categories.
Mitchell is thought to be brought in to instill discipline and respect in a Pelicans’ unit lacking in both. He is a true blue collar worker, with a no excuse personality, even earning the respect of future Hall of Famer, Kevin Garnett:
“I want you guys to understand that not only do I endorse Sam Mitchell, but the other players do, too. We believe not only in him, but the system and what we’re trying to do here. I think everybody needs to understand that. The transformation and what we’re trying to do here is build something for the future and these are the first steps of that.”
With Mitchell’s toughness, Finch’s offensive creativity, and an ever improving defense piloted by Darren Erman, the Pelicans’ bench may have just received the jolt of electricity it needs to enter the playoff race and secure Jrue Holiday and Demarcus Cousins for the foreseeable future.
To discuss Sam Mitchell, Chris Finch, as well as the state of the Pelican’s roster and front office, we welcome NBA expert Dan Favale onto the Pelican Debrief Podcast to give his unique and well informed perspective on the coaching shakeups and much, much more.