The Celtics Will Play Inside-Out this season

[MG1]

Rivers was as shocked as anyone that his team made it to the Finals last season, but not because he didn’t believe in their overall abilities. He was shocked that his team was able to succeed at such a high level while playing the type of basketball they were playing.

“We played the second half of the year and went through the playoffs, for the most part, without having a post presence,” Rivers said. “And I said, we had our stretches with Cleveland, when Kevin had the matchup that he had (against Antawn Jamison) and we went down there, but other than that… I said, ‘Guys, we got to a Game 7 not doing that, and I just don’t believe you can win that way in the long run.’ We almost proved that wrong, but overall I don’t think you can win that way. Not us.”

Rivers has vowed to change that tendency this season, and he noted that was his message to the players in the very first meeting of the year. With Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal now on board, and Garnett dominating like he did in 2007-08, it shouldn't be much of a challenge to make that happen.

Sources: http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/100210-camp-closes-high.html

[clover]

Rivers was as shocked as anyone that his team made it to the Finals last season, but not because he didn’t believe in their overall abilities. He was shocked that his team was able to succeed at such a high level while playing the type of basketball they were playing.

“We played the second half of the year and went through the playoffs, for the most part, without having a post presence,” Rivers said. “And I said, we had our stretches with Cleveland, when Kevin had the matchup that he had (against Antawn Jamison) and we went down there, but other than that… I said, ‘Guys, we got to a Game 7 not doing that, and I just don’t believe you can win that way in the long run.’ We almost proved that wrong, but overall I don’t think you can win that way. Not us.”

Rivers has vowed to change that tendency this season, and he noted that was his message to the players in the very first meeting of the year. With Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal now on board, and Garnett dominating like he did in 2007-08, it shouldn't be much of a challenge to make that happen.

Sources: http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/100210-camp-closes-high.html

Might that do as much for their offense vs. Miami as trying to somehow ease the defensive load on Paul and Ray while keeping them on the floor against LBJ and Wade?