Coaching From the Press Box

The NBA (along with every other professional sports) has a short life cycle.

Every one involved with the league knows this when they sign up.

Your here today, gone tomorrow.

General managers and coaches know one day, no matter what they've brought to the organization in the past, they won't be wanted.

Sam Mitchell knew the day he was shown the door would come. He probably just never thought it come so soon.

Today the 2006-2007 NBA coach of the year was relieved from his duties and not an eye-brow was raised around the league.

It must be good Bryan Colangelo.

Lets face it, his release from Toronto had more to do with a difference in philosophy than his teams disappointing 8-9 start.

Toronto wants a solider who follows the orders of wunder-kid / executiveColangelo, not one who clashes with the GM / president's style.

Ever since the USA basketball directors son stepped foot in the maple leaf country his word has been it------. He's had free reign to do whatever he's pleased. And why not? He's the one who's credited with creating the most entertaining team since the Showtime Lakers (Phoenix Sun's circa 2nd Nash era.)

He came in and made 3 trades immediately. Trading away the fans favorite player (Matt Boner) and the runner up for the rookie of the year award (Charlie Villanueva) for a perimeter center (Rasho Nesterovic) and a point guard who just missed a whole year with a spinal injury (Tj Ford).

Did anyone bat an eye? Of course not. Just like they didn't with the Bargani #1 pick or the Jermaine Oneal signing.

This is Bryan Colangelo! Raptor "truthers" knew to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He's the one with the map to the promise land.

Since Colangelo has been in charge in Toronto he's been building what most media members call Phoenix 2.0 or the Euro-Raptors.

He's built a team around superstar (and soon to be gone via free agency) Chris Bosh. He's put well rounded basketball players, who can run and shoot around the Snoop Dogg look-a-like.

His team consists of more international players than the whole western conference. Their team oriented and well cultured. They run the floor, fill the lane, share the rock and shoot 3's .Their your definition of a finesse team.

Which was exactly the opposite of Sam's strength.

GM's have their philosophy but coaches can only teach and preach what they now.

And what Sam knows is defense and rebounding. His specialty when he was a scrapper in the league for 11 years.

The Tuna said it best, "They want you to cook the dinner, at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries."

The writing has been on the wall since Colangelo was made the man.

The first three years of their marriage had their problems covered up like a teenage girls acne because of the miraculous turn-around the franchise was going through.

No longer door-mats, the Raptors were postseason regulars for each year! Who cares if they went home after 4 or 5 games each season. They were playing in the summer. Something not a lot of teams could say.

But after last seasons extended stay as a top-tier East team, the off-season acquisition of Oneal and Bosh's dominating play on the Re-deem team in Bejing the expectations (unrealistically and unfortunately) went through the roof.

Too bad.

This team isn't ready to be placed in the Cav's, Celtics and Piston's conversation.And the season's poor start proves that.

Somebody had to take the blame for Toronto's face plant. And we knew 3 years ago who that would be.