Sam Mitchell heads into this NBA season an older and wiser man, he says, than the rookie coach that patrolled the sidelines last season.

The Toronto Raptors open training camp Tuesday as Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., and with a year under his belt, the club's head coach says he's learned how to communicate better with his players following a season that was at times plagued by personality clashes.

"Just handling certain situations different, being more patient," Mitchell said Thursday. "How to deal with each guy, I know each guy a lot better now. Which guys you need to pat on the back more, which guy needs a hug, which guys needs you push him a little bit more.

"I just know how to deal with the players different now. You've got to learn as a coach, and especially first year with new players, which buttons to push, and how to push them, and when to push them."

Mitchell admitted he butted heads with certain players last season. He and temperamental point guard Rafer Alston had some well-publicized blowups.

"You learn," said Mitchell. "If you're not capable of learning year to year, you don't last long."