Raptors Turn Page, "Smitch" Fired Finally

  What transpired after the Raptors' loss in Denver earlier this week was inevitable, and the final blow of an era of basketball in Toronto. How does one sum up Sam Mitchell's head coaching career with the Raps? Well, after his final loss as head coach (a humiliating 132-93 defeat) in his post-game press conference with various Raptor beat writers and reporters he stated: "The best thing about this loss is that afterwards I didn't have to go into the locker room and say anything." Less than 24 hours later Sam was fired. Didn't have to say anything? A game in which the team looked the worst since the day Brian Colangelo took over the reins (2+ seasons) gave up about as many open shots and easy dunks/lay-ups than some teams do in an entire season. It was an effort only the Oklahoma City Thunder could probably match and an outright embarrassment. Yes, the players checked out of this one very early, but who is to fault for that? Players are players, and if they alone, are ... (link)