First timer

Jet, July 19, 2004

FIRST TIMER: Sam Mitchell (r) smiles after Toronto Raptors general manager Rob Babcock names him the Raptors' new head coach at a press conference in Toronto. Mitchell, who retired as a player just two years ago after playing 13 years in the NBA, was an assistant coach for the expansion Charlotte Bobcats for the past month. Going into his first season as a head coach, Mitchell says he is aware of his inexperience. "I understand the concerns ... that's why we're going to have a great support staff around me. We're going to have guys that have coached many years." Mitchell agreed to a reported three-year contract worth nearly $5 million.

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