Pistons' Mitchell struggles to shed low-motor label

[Harry]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Tony Mitchell has heard two Detroit Pistons head coaches wonder aloud and publicly about whether he grasps the work load necessary to succeed as a borderline NBA player.

His only guarantee is contractual. In that sense, he is safe next year.

But to crack a crowded front line, the second-year forward has to shed the low-motor label that dogged him in college and continued through last season, when then-interim coach John Loyer openly said Mitchell needs to work harder.

Already this offseason, Stan Van Gundy, the new president of basketball operations and head coach, has called Mitchell's workouts "a little inconsistent" and said the player "works hard when he's here."

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_pistons_tony_mitchell.html

[IslandEagle]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Tony Mitchell has heard two Detroit Pistons head coaches wonder aloud and publicly about whether he grasps the work load necessary to succeed as a borderline NBA player.

His only guarantee is contractual. In that sense, he is safe next year.

But to crack a crowded front line, the second-year forward has to shed the low-motor label that dogged him in college and continued through last season, when then-interim coach John Loyer openly said Mitchell needs to work harder.

Already this offseason, Stan Van Gundy, the new president of basketball operations and head coach, has called Mitchell's workouts "a little inconsistent" and said the player "works hard when he's here."

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_pistons_tony_mitchell.html

Not surprising at all. That was an issue when he was here.

[Andrew]

Benford tried to work him but he just wouldn't work. I fear his time in the NBA is coming to an end if he doesn't have an attitude adjustment. Every summer game I watch they constantly question his work ethic but praise his athleticism. Looks like he should have stayed one more season at UNT. Everyone would have been better off then. I really want him to succeed but everything you see and read is so negative on his attitude and not being a guy you want in the locker room :/

[Rudy]

If he stayed one more season under Benford, he wouldn't have been drafted.

[UNT90]

If he stayed one more season under Benford, he wouldn't have been drafted.

This.

And the rep he got under Benford follows him still today.

[Andrew]

I just love how UNT fans on this board know more than college coaches and NBA scouts. Give people negatives and bash them for quoting NBA scouts and analysts. Clearly they know more than people who get paid to do this sort of stuff for a living. Give it up. He has tons of potential and athleticism but it has been said multiple times over the past two season he lacks the drive and motivation to succeed. Obviously the ball is in his court and he could easily change this. We all want him to succeed but he needs to step his game up. I would love to him start for a nba team (the mavs!). The ball is in Tonys court. His numbers in summer league have been average thus far and it's clear he needs to work. His rebounding is not where it should be. A move to small forward may help his productivity but that has yet to be seen. I do not think it's hard to agree that he has potential but needs to put more effort into his game. If you cannot agree with that then you must be in denial and lost in the lets hate on Benford for everything realm.

Edited July 10, 2014 by Andrew

[CMJ]

I honestly can't believe the Pistons are still playing him in the post. That isn't really where he should be IMHO.

[MCMLXXX]

George Bush is to blame.

[GreenMachine]

George Bush is to blame.

H or W?