I have to tip my hat to Ime.

[todd_days_41]

Folks were too hard on Ime right off the bat. But he’s accomplished nothing yet, so sit tight on any significant patting on the back, as well.

He’s making progress — keep it up.

[Hoopvortex]

I've been critical of Ime. I still want to see a longer rotation by at least one. I think a nine-man rotation in the regular season is important. But he's turned this team into his own and the players have bought in. So tip of the hat to Coach. If we can keep playing with this fire we could make some real noise in the playoffs.

I agree wholeheartedly, including with your point about lengthening the rotation (one of Brad's strengths, btw). The playoffs is the "real" season, and keeping your horses rested, while giving bench players precious court time, integrating and developing them for a post-season role - is a better formula for playoff success.

[Hoopvortex]

I've been critical of Ime. I still want to see a longer rotation by at least one. I think a nine-man rotation in the regular season is important. But he's turned this team into his own and the players have bought in. So tip of the hat to Coach. If we can keep playing with this fire we could make some real noise in the playoffs.

... maybe he's not the disaster people thought he was earlier in the season

People mostly don't understand what a head coach does, or how to evaluate them.

Then, too, there are bandwagon and Dunning-Kruger effects that are especially intense in the #Bostonsportsfan ecosystem.

[liam]

Well, last night was something to add to Ime's resume...

[ozgod]

I've been critical of Ime. I still want to see a longer rotation by at least one. I think a nine-man rotation in the regular season is important. But he's turned this team into his own and the players have bought in. So tip of the hat to Coach. If we can keep playing with this fire we could make some real noise in the playoffs.

... maybe he's not the disaster people thought he was earlier in the season

People mostly don't understand what a head coach does, or how to evaluate them.

Then, too, there are bandwagon and Dunning-Kruger effects that are especially intense in the #Bostonsportsfan ecosystem.

 

[spikelovetheCelts]

I said we need to be patient but I am still not sure about his late game moves and play drawing but i see the light. I think Robert Williams can be close to a third star but we need White and Smarts to be 4's.
Last night was so awesome. The Look on Doc's face was priceless.

[Celtics4ever]

It took him a while to get up to speed and his initial after time outs were terrible.  He speaks too much in cliches but I never called to fire him.

But he is getting better and has the team playing well.

[Vermont Green]

Rotation:

Smart
Brown
Tatum
Horford
RWilliams

White, GWilliams, Theis,...Pritchard.........maybe Nesmith?

I am not that concerned if we play 8, 9, or 10 as our core rotation.  Based on the few games since the trade deadline, White, GWill, and Theis will be full rotation, Pritchard less but still regular rotation, and Nesmith more spot minutes.  So does that add up to about 9 on average?  I am fine with that.

Clearly the tightening of the rotation has improved our execution of schemes.  The core rotation is playing better, even if others are getting less run.

I am pretty close to accepting Ime as a keeper based on the recent improvement.  He has the team playing very well here when it counts most.

[jpotter33]

I think people overthink the short rotation stuff, as well as being stuck on Brad’s “long bench” philosophy for so many years. Given how our team is constructed and how young and healthy our guys are, I like the shorter rotation. The only one we really need to watch the minutes of is Horford given his age abd miles on his legs. Everyone is fine to play the heavier minutes I think.

Hopefully, though, Nesmith and PP have done enough to take at least a few minutes away from Smart and the Jays moving forward.

[Androslav]

1st year coach, doing well. That's hard to do.
Tid bit: in croatian language Ime means name, so that means that his "ime" is Ime.

[liam]

Folks were too hard on Ime right off the bat. But he’s accomplished nothing yet, so sit tight on any significant patting on the back, as well.

He’s making progress — keep it up.

The playoffs are the real test for both coach and players.

[Ogaju]

I tipped my hat to him when I learned who he is with. As to the short term criticism, we should have known Ime plays the Long ball.

[Celtics4ever]

Hopefully, though, Nesmith and PP have done enough to take at least a few minutes away from Smart and the Jays moving forward.

Nesmith looked good last game, PP not so much but he had some good passes.