Sam Mitchell beat out Jerry Sloan for coach of the year in the NBA. I’m not sure when the writers vote, but I don’t think the Jazz slide at the end of the season helped at all. He wasn’t as deserving this year as he was in 2003-2004 but still did a great job. And that may be enought to keep him around for a few more years. I’m torn on whether or not to keep him.

UPDATE (7:45 p.m.) 4/24/2007:

One one hand he knows how to win. On the other, his style doesn’t seem to match today’s NBA and I think sometimes it shows; most recently in the playoffs. I don’t know how he messed up the AK situation so much. He’s not the type to have a heart-to-heart with one of his players, but he should have handled it differently. Now you have AK who doesn’t know whether he sitting or playing. Here’s the quote from Sloan:

“I probably haven’t gotten him in a position where he’s as comfortable as he would like to be,” Sloan said. “Our job is still to win. . . . Nobody wants to see him play any better and play well than I do. I’m sure his teammates would feel the same way. We all want to try to solve people’s problems, but I’m not qualified to solve those problems.”

Isn’t that part of being the coach?  I know AK is now the fourth option or so on offense, but surely him rotting on the bench isn’t the best use of him?  You don’t have to call plays for him necessarily, but he should be cutting to the basket and getting touches that way.  And he’s still invaluable on defense.  I don’t think he’s lost anything, he’s just not being utilized correctly.  How should he be used?  I’m not the coach, but in the game would be good.

But I know one thing, Jerry doesn’t give a rat’s ass about COY awards, players crying, or what anyone thinks.  Hell, he may have even smirked a little to hear the AK was crying.  But if the Jazz go out in the first round, it may be the end of the road for Sloan, either by his own choice or public outcry.