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ONLY one thing is worse than getting something dead wrong, and that's not correcting the mistake immediately. A story in Sunday's column regarding the readiness of the Raptors for a Laker game portrayed Toronto coach Sam Mitchell as being unrehearsed and unaware Andrew Bynum was hurt.
After speaking at length to the aggrieved coach and broadening my investigation, I'm convinced I turned in an improperly researched project.
"I didn't get an NBA head job so young [39] because I was stupid," scolded Mitchell from Orlando, where Toronto was eliminated last night in the first round. "And I didn't keep my job when Bryan Colangelo took charge because I was stupid. I'm here because my team plays hard, unselfishly and is prepared.
"Bryan could've given me two-year guarantee. He gave me three. I don't think he got to where he is today because he's stupid."
Despite the remaining two-year, $4M per obligation and the Raptors' second straight playoff appearance - and 41 wins despite the full-season absence of starting small forward Jorge Garbajosa, T.J. Ford missing half the year due to neck damage and Chris Bosh being unavailable for franchise-player duty for 15 games (another six to get back in shape) - Mitchell reportedly is in job jeopardy.
Should Mike D'Antoni bear the brunt of the Suns' annual playoff eviction by the Spurs, the prevailing suspicion is Colangelo will pick up his faithful Phoenix companion on the short hop.
"Believe me when I tell you I don't worry about things out of my control," Mitchell responded.
"If Bryan chose to bring in his guy, I wouldn't take it personal. I'd thank the organization for the opportunity to prove I can coach in this league, thank Bryan for two more years of security and get myself another job."
Mitchell is convinced that would not be a problem. In four seasons, he has trained himself how to teach, ration out three positives for every negative, not embarrass players as he did early-on in is rookie year, not ask anyone to do something they can't, bootleg plays from opponents and incorporate the element of surprise.
In other words, Mitchell has learned how to coach.
Before every game Mitchell would say the same prayer. "Please, God, with five minutes to go let me be within five points. That meant I had done his job, that I had put my team in position to win. From that point on it was up to them. Players win games by making plays."
I'm trying to regain some misplaced credibility by making amends.
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Kiwi Packers 
