Those guys had a big hand in putting those teams together, Mitch reaping the benefits of Wemby taking a leap and an overall much improved, healthy roster isn't going to fool anyone and we shouldn't conflate the 2. In fact I might argue the more dominant Wemby is the less likely Mitch is credited for Spurs wins.
Are you sure that's true? Does put together mean bring in a few role players?
Mike Brown was with the Warriors and joined the Kings in late May '22 after the Kings had Fox, Sabonis, Barnes their three leading minutes guys and 3 most important players (Barnes is arguable but 82 games, 33mpg, clear core piece). They also already had Davion Mitchell and Trey Lyles, 5 of their 8-man rotation was already there, but that was really a 2-man show with role players. Brown was there when they drafted Murray, signed Monk, and traded for Huerter and all those where likely his doing. But the core of the team was put together when Brown was in GSW.
Same for Thibs. Signed 7-30-20, Randle, Barrett, Bullock, Mitchell Robinson, Payton. That's their 3 best guys and 2 more of their top 8. Thibs brought Rose and Gibson who combined for 80 games played, and he was prolly responsible for signing Burks and Noel and traded for rookie Quickley. Thibs system was the reason for improvement no doubt and he deserved that award, but the core was there.
Mitch inarguably has had a bigger part in putting this Spurs squad together (and developing Wemby/Castle/etc). He certainly had a bigger part in getting Fox to SA than Brown/Thibs did with Sabonis/Randle because those guys played 0 part in that.
Maybe a more dominant Wemby makes Mitch less likely, that's certainly fair and very possible. And Mitch's success obvi depends on Wemby.
But these awards are as much about narrative than performance. First yr head coach, first job, 22 to 34 wins when the GOAT goes down then Wemby/Fox go down as interrim, helps mold a 3rd yr Wemby into a bona fide MVP candidate, molds a UConn utility man into ROY and more, helps shepherd Fox back into star form, etc. He does that and wins 48+ games, its gonna take a hell of a narrative for anyone else to win it, like Atkinson last yr. The COTY often goes to first yr guys, Mitch is technically that.
The narrative matters and I think the 3rd yr narrative cuts very hard against Wemby as MVP but the 1st yr & 1st job cuts very hard for Mitch. IMO unless Wemby goes 30/12/5/5 he won't even have a shot. Its the reason he didn't win DPOY. Can't give it to a rookie. I seriously doubt the media votes for a 3rd yr Wemby over the top4 unless he blows everyone away.
I want that to happen, btw. But if he wins MVP, I'd expect Mitch to win COTY too.
