Co-hosts of the Friday night NBA Gametime Live show – a lively show featuring highlight packages and comedic banter – found themselves in controversy when former NBA player and coach Sam Mitchell exposed Chris Miles’ personal information on air after a mere joke about his currency…
It started during the pregame show covering the Golden State Warriors when Mitchell, 61, waxed lyrical about basketball coaches, about the likes of Stever Kerr and how they were not given medals in the Olympics.
November 12, 2004: head coach of the Toronto Raptors, Sam Mitchell looks on as they face the Seattle Sonics at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Sonics won 88-87. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
I suppose it just takes you what internationally, how they respect coaches – not at all. What strategies does a coach not employ to earn a gold medal?
The show concluded as quickly as it began: “I’m surprised coaches get a paycheck for this show,” Miles was quick to up his words. “Of course.” “I think maybe you should do this pro bono, my friend.”
The one-time NBA Coach of the Year did not seem to take the comment kindly, and things degenerated from there.
The last time I looked at my check, it appeared to be pretty near to the actual amount, to a certain extent, anyway. So hey, I’m taking donations. Why don’t you choke off some of that money you got, since you there over there boasting about it or something like that.
Miles tried to get lighten the mood a little before getting into a potentially heated debate, but Mitchell wouldn’t budge.
“Oh are you the guy who rented me my beach house down in Florida and there was a hurricane the other day? Or what did you say about your townhouse in Buckhead area? Oh you wanna confront me, wanna come on. You are a loud screamer without food or money, let’s just see it. I know what have and where you live young fella you just have to stop.”
Clasping his hands together, looking visibly uncomfortable, Miles stated there were snitches on the broadcast, Mitchell exclaimed, pointing at himself, I am a truth-teller!
“You are the one who’s crying poor and destitute up here when – do I need to keep going off, further, more and more or You want to stop now?”
Miles moved the attention back to the game but Mitchell continued and even said he has my home address.
That’s what I thought you should do. I done told you young fella you are going to stop playing with me on national TV. I done told you about that. Hello, darling, can I give out the address because you’re not at home at the moment?
Toronto Raptors Player Roger Mason Jr. #31 speaks to head coach Sam Mitchell during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the John Labatt Centre in London Ontario Thursday, October 17, 2004. The final score in the match was 76ers 108 Defeated Brooklyn Nets 103. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
If the broadcast later resumed, Mitchell later on did provide the broadcast the address of one of Miles’ properties. Miles was about to cut, to break, but Mitchell had the last word to say.
You cannot wait for the throw-in to take place in that game.