Bass: Frustration wasn't discussed in locker room (and other practice notes)

[kozlodoev]

Yes, that's probably one if the first signs that led players to lose trust in their coach, that and starting Bradley at point guard while rarely using Pressy

I agree. I think that Pressey and Faverani are two guys who have commanded more playing time with their performance. Given that we miss playmaking and prototypical size in the lineup, I'm at a loss why they are still relegated to the end of the bench.

[fitzhickey]

Yes, that's probably one if the first signs that led players to lose trust in their coach, that and starting Bradley at point guard while rarely using Pressy

I agree. I think that Pressey and Faverani are two guys who have commanded more playing time with their performance. Given that we miss playmaking and prototypical size in the lineup, I'm at a loss why they are still relegated to the end of the bench.

Stevens really should play Fav and Pressey. It would help them develop to their max potential, and it also helps our team as we lack, as you said, playmaking and size.
I think Vitor could turn out to be a decent starter one day.

[j804]

If I were in that locker room, my only frustration so far would be that the head coach has no idea what lineup to trot out every night. And that good performance doesn't seem to be rewarded with playing time (and vice versa).

I'd agree with you but there's no consistency, Crawford prob bad example but looked mature and decent the first couple of games then looks like his old self and a complete train wreck. Bass horrible the first couple games and last game had a solid game. This team is too up and down and mostly looks a bunch of bench guys out there just playing pick up.

It doesn't matter. As a coach you have to show decisiveness and set roles and a clear gameplan or else all hell breaks loose.

its preseason rotations aren't set, now with the final couple games well settle on something I'm sure believe Stevens said the next game will be treated as more of a reg season game as far as that goes

[Clench123]

Green should be the last person talking here

[guava_wrench]

If I were in that locker room, my only frustration so far would be that the head coach has no idea what lineup to trot out every night. And that good performance doesn't seem to be rewarded with playing time (and vice versa).

Welcome to rebuilding, folks.

I'd rather just pick something that seems to make sense and go with it for 15 games.

Are you including the preseason in those 15 games?

Lineups won't matter for another week.

[guava_wrench]

If I were in that locker room, my only frustration so far would be that the head coach has no idea what lineup to trot out every night. And that good performance doesn't seem to be rewarded with playing time (and vice versa).

I'd agree with you but there's no consistency, Crawford prob bad example but looked mature and decent the first couple of games then looks like his old self and a complete train wreck. Bass horrible the first couple games and last game had a solid game. This team is too up and down and mostly looks a bunch of bench guys out there just playing pick up.

It doesn't matter. As a coach you have to show decisiveness and set roles and a clear gameplan or else all hell breaks loose.

In the preseason with a team of rejects?

We will have the starting lineup soon. Roles are also fluid. If guys really don't pan out, their roles will be reduced. You give them a chance, but they also need accountability.

[DarkAzcura]

If I were in that locker room, my only frustration so far would be that the head coach has no idea what lineup to trot out every night. And that good performance doesn't seem to be rewarded with playing time (and vice versa).

I'd agree with you but there's no consistency, Crawford prob bad example but looked mature and decent the first couple of games then looks like his old self and a complete train wreck. Bass horrible the first couple games and last game had a solid game. This team is too up and down and mostly looks a bunch of bench guys out there just playing pick up.

It doesn't matter. As a coach you have to show decisiveness and set roles and a clear gameplan or else all hell breaks loose.

Also, it has to be a plan that works. You can't stubbornly run a system that results in Jared Sullinger jacking three pointers. Unless, of course, you think this is a good shot to take with regularity, in which case the situation is quite hopeless.

It's preseason. This is the time to mess with rotations and lineups to get a feel for combinations. It's like some of you forgot the headline before preseason even started where Stevens said he will be testing different combinations (two player, three player combos) extensively to get a feel for who plays well together. Stevens is also a stat head. You can't get a good feel on combinations without various combinations and a decent sample size. So be prepared for weird combinations for the first month or two of the season..not to the extent of preseason, but we'll definitely see some stuff out there that we consider odd, imo.

Just based on what I've listened to from Stevens' interviews, I feel the C's may always be a slow starting team as long as he is coach. I know that's a lot to say considering he has never even coached a regular season game, but I think we are gonna be the type of team that picks up steam in January-February to end seasons stronger than how they started. Just based on the value he puts on stats at least..

[kozlodoev]

Maybe it's preseason. But it's been 7 full games, and he hasn't found anything that works. I don't need him to tell me that the Celtics are going to be a "slow starting team", though this excuse doesn't make it any more acceptable.

[SHAQATTACK]

It's gonna be a long season ..

[dark_lord]

Wallace was right and I love that he cares and said something.  the guy has always played hard, no matter the quality of his team. #respect

[sed522002]

I think he should hold his teammates accountable, but from here on it should be kept in the locker room. Say whatever you have to say there and give a filtered version to the media.

Because if he's constantly ranting to the media about other's effort it would seem like "Hey when we lose don't look at me, you see that I'm giving full effort". Even though he's not trying to make it seem that way. That's how a lot of dissension starts.

[mmmmm]

Maybe it's preseason. But it's been 7 full games, and he hasn't found anything that works. I don't need him to tell me that the Celtics are going to be a "slow starting team", though this excuse doesn't make it any more acceptable.

You don't really know that he hasn't "found anything that works".

He probably knows exactly which lineups have worked (and which ones haven't).  That doesn't mean he should stop playing other lineups to see what _else_ works or not.

Yes, this is preseason!   A new coach with a complete set of new players who have barely played with each other!

I don't believe he's managing these games to win at all.  Just look at some of the 5-man units he's left on the floor in some of the close games.  No defensive or offensive substitutions at all - even when the game situation screamed obviously for it.  He did lots of that at Butler in close games so it's not like he doesn't know how to do that.  He's pretty obviously just putting players into a wide variety of situations and seeing how they handle it (or not).

I don't expect Stevens to 'settle' on a defined rotation for some time - even into the regular season.