Sam Mitchell is one of the great figures in Minnesota Timberwolves history. Not only did he play here for 10 of his 13 NBA seasons , the now 61-year-old NBA TV analyst was a short-term assistant, and interim head coach for the Wolves from 2014 to 2016.
Mitchell is an old-school guy. His interviews on the Dan Barreiro Show (KFAN Radio) are must listen. And when something is stuck in his craw, he likes to talk about it. That’s no different when he gets on live television for NBA TV. But this week… it was his co-host who had Mitchell steaming.
Sam Mitchell loses his mind on NBA TV co-host Chris Miles
About what you ask? Apparently he believes his on-air partner, Chris Miles , is making too much money, bragging about it behind the scenes, then “crying broke” on TV and “messing” with him when they go live.
With all of that bubbling underneath the surface inside NBA TV studios, all it took to set Mitchell off on one of the most cringeworthy rants in TV history was one poke of the bear, by Miles. When it was over, 1.5 minutes later he had even given out the address of his co-host’s rental property. There are captions in the video but I included the transcript below, anyway.
Miles : “I’m surprised coaches get a paycheck for this show. You think like maybe you should do it pro-bono?”
Mitchell : “My friend, the last time I looked at my paycheck, it was pretty close [to being $0]. I’m taking donations. Why don’t you come up off some of that money you got, since you over there bragging about it?”
Miles : “I’m not bragging about it.”
Mitchell : “I mean, oh I’m sorry, did you rip your beach house out from down in Florida during the hurricane? Or do I need to go on? How about your townhouse over at Buckhead?”
Miles : “Hey, what’s going on here, Sam?”
Mitchell : “You wanna call me out. I mean, come on! You screaming broke and hungry, let’s just see it. I know what you have an where you live young fella, so you need to stop.”
Miles : “I think we have snitches on the show today. and that’s Sam Mitchell.”
Mitchell : “No, we don’t have snitches. We have truth-tellers. So you’re the only one who’s crying poor, destitute up here, when…. do I need to keep going on further, more and more? Or do you want me to stop, right now? I told you, young fella [finger pointing], you need to stop messing with me on national TV. I don told you about that. Hey, do I need to give out your home address [broadcast cuts to rafter view from Seattle arena].”
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Obviously, Sam Mitchell had warned Miles behind the scenes to stop doing all of the things that have been bothering him, especially “messing with him on national TV”, and his co-host didn’t take it seriously.
This entire 1.5 minute video is difficult to watch. He could have stopped 4-8 different times, but he just dives back in for more, every time. Some parts are kind of funny, you can tell there are probably more people in the studio beyond Mitchell who are sick of Miles’ stunts and behind-the-scenes personality.
Mitchell with the Minnesota Timberwolves
With the Timberwolves, Sam averaged 9.4 points per game, along with 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists. At 6’9″, Mitchell was a do-everything guy. He could guard bigger guys, when necessary, but also play out on the wing too. He might’ve had to develop a better 3-point shot, in today’s NBA. But he doesn’t play in today’s NBA, and I think he’s fine with that (other than the insane money).
Still, Mitchell obviously took it too far, and he’ll be punished because of it. Hopefully, Barreiro has him on to discuss what happened. That would be a must-listen follow up interview.
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