Assisting Avery: Mitchell Leads the Youth Movement
August 27, 2010
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—
The two coaches have known each other for years – Johnson's NBA playing career (1988-2004) encompasses Mitchell's (1989-2002) and they were head coaches of the Mavericks (Johnson) and Raptors (Mitchell) from 2004-08. Mitchell says he respected the preparation and competitiveness of Johnson's teams, while Johnson praises Mitchell's ability to develop young players and teams.
"In my head assistant, I was definitely looking for a guy who was a former head coach," Johnson explains. "Didn’t necessarily have to be a former NBA player, but he had to have been a guy who had been in the hot chair before, a guy who could communicate with players. I was also looking for a guy who had coached young teams before, and Sam has had some success in the past with Toronto when (2003 No. 4 overall pick Chris Bosh came in, when (2006 No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani came in. And a guy that I could feel really good about taking his suggestions and recommendation because he’d sat in my seat before. Sam has a tremendous amount of experience – the 12-year playing career didn’t hurt at all. And he’s played and been an assistant coach under some great head coaches."
The list of mentors Mitchell has played under and coached alongside includes current head coaches like Larry Brown of the Bobcats, George Karl of the Nuggets, Flip Saunders of the Wizards and former ones like
He only entered coaching after
"At the time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do next," Mitchell says. "But that’s how I got started. I’m always grateful for Ernie. He saw something in me that, at the time, I hadn’t even begun to recognize in myself."
Mitchell describes his style as similar to Johnson's: "Demanding, but fair." Pointing to their tumultuous journeys to NBA playing success, Mitchell believes that each finding a niche through hard work and intellect lends an understanding of sacrifice and effort that players respect. Johnson, an undrafted free agent, was six teams and six seasons into his career before becoming the starting point guard and ultimately an NBA Champion for the Spurs. Mitchell, meanwhile, was the NBA's oldest rookie in 1989 – after two seasons in the CBA, one in the USBL and two in Montpelier, France.
A March 19, 1990 feature in Sports Illustrated reveals that Mitchell, who participated in the ROTC during high school and college, was recalled from Basic Training in Fort Bragg, N.C. after finding out he was selected by the Rockets in the third round of the 1985 NBA Draft. Mitchell was quoted in the article saying, "I figured today's Army is a good eight-to-five job. You can serve 20 years, get out at 41 and still do something else." It's a time frame that (unconsciously?) mirrors the length of a good playing career in pro sports.
He affirms today his military ambitions were serious, recalling that he made 2nd Lieutenant, but conversations with his father helped sway his decision to pursue professional basketball, even after the Rockets cut him that first training camp.
"I didn’t make it right out of college, but I had the bug and I knew this was something I wanted to do," Mitchell says. "My father always told me, 'Son, you have a college degree. You can always get a job. But you can only play professional sports or play basketball for a short time, so keep trying. Keep trying until everybody tells you no.'"
Mitchell finally made his NBA debut in 1989 with the Timberwolves, putting up 12.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while often defending the opponent's top scoring threat. Traded to the Pacers in 1992, Mitchell returned to the T-Wolves as a free agent in 1995, where he mentored Kevin Garnett, helping the high-schooler develop into one of the league's top power forwards. That was the first of many prominent players Mitchell helped bring along, like Bucks shooting guard Michael Redd and the aforementioned Bosh and Bargnani.
Providing guidance effectively can be an intuitive skill, and Mitchell seems unable to wrap words around the explanation of his prowess. He offers an answer that runs through feeling thankful after belatedly beginning his playing career, his belief in hard work and the concept of team and a commitment to honesty. Perhaps this last part is revealing.
"I'm not gong to lie to guys," Mitchell says. "I’m going to break it to a guy the way in which he can handle it, but you’ve got to be honest with the players and let them know where they stand. They may be upset when you first tell them, but I think everybody, at the end of the day, appreciates the truth."
The Nets are hoping those truths strike particularly potent chords with this years No. 3 overall pick, forward Derrick Favors. Mitchell, who grew up in Georgia and attended Mercer University in Macon, now lives only 20 minutes from Favors in Atlanta, allowing the pair to work out regularly during the summer. The coach believes Favors stands an excellent chance of developing into an excellent player, and plans to work as hard as he can to ensure Favors proves worth of his high draft status.
It's one of many goals Mitchell holds for his tenure assisting Johnson build the Nets into the championship contender everyone envisions. Because he knows that he can. And because he knows that will benefit him in the long run.
"I put it this way: 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. "It’s not something I’m going to have to go out and get. But right now, my focus is helping the New Jersey Nets become the best basketball team they can become and assisting Avery in whatever way that he needs me and making his life and his job easier. If I do all the things I’m supposed to do in my job as Avery Johnson’s assistant, then whatever opportunities to be a head coach are coming, will come."
