Start the Bench?

[jaketwice]

It's been the same story on the road throughout the playoffs so far. Make some adjustments.

                                      Lure Greg Kite out of retirement!!!!!
                             

[guava_wrench]

I agree in principle anyway. "Starters" is a BS term, it is for spoiled kids. The starters and players should be the guys who's heart is in to it. You put someone in and if they cannot find their game that night you keep using your people at that position until you find the one who wants it most! Ray Allen is a prime example. If your shot isn't falling, take it to the hole, get some steals, block shots. Shooting comes and goes, but defense and rebounding is permanent! That is why in past postings I have advocated Tony Allen, Eddie House, ect....because maybe when they are on the floor they will show they want it more. nothing inspires an all-star more than someone taking his spot, and at the very least, you can see what is happening to him while you are "resting". Also, the Cavs plan and prepare for the Celts starting 6, all the reporters said so (Tommy H, Mike G et all) so you really cannot lose. Especialy when we have seen WAY TOO MUCH of this road ...this is 4 road failures in a row...it also reflects poorly on THE COACH, why, well we are still the same team....! Why Did Avery Johnson get canned, good team no results.....it is easy to look competent while you are winning, but if you can't make neccesary adjustments when things aren't working........A great team does not ALWAYS lose on the road...! Same game guys!


edit - do not purposely go around the language filter.  No offensive language allowed. - wdleehi

Huh? Avery got canned because (1) He had well publicized blowouts with Mark Cuban, his boss, during the season and (2) Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year. Van Gundy had great comments about the absurdity of making the coach the scapegoat. Like blaming Byron Scott for New Jersey's failures. It gets really stupid.

Don't forget the Belicheck (sp? I hate the patriots) was the scapegoat for multiple losing teams! At least in football coaches have a much larger influence.

I'm sorry but this is not chess with wooden pieces. It is basketball with players. The 4 road losses reflect poorly on the players! The players are clearly the problem. Adjustments aren't the problem. The problem is correctly executing the system that has been so effective and making smart choices with the ball.

Look at Utah. They have a great disparity between home and road record. Is this because of Sloan? Atlanta also had a great disparity between home and road records. Was it because of Woodson? It is the players who feed off the home crowd, not the coach.

We will see the same stupidity in 2 years when the NY fans yell to dump D'Antoni because of 2 losing season, yet we all know that D'Antoni is actually a brilliant coach. The problem is the players.

[WedmanIsMyHero]

I will submit that if this roster had Jerry Sloan as coach they would win the championship.  Perspective means being realistic about Doc's capabilities as well.

[guava_wrench]

I will submit that if this roster had Jerry Sloan as coach they would win the championship.  Perspective means being realistic about Doc's capabilities as well.

Realistic? You are making up fantasy scenarios and pretending you know what would happen.

Don't forget -- Sloan has the same number of championships as Doc, and Sloan had 2 of the all time greatest players at their positions.

[BASSTHUMPER]

why greg kite..?..we got scalabrine

[WedmanIsMyHero]

What I mean is that we should not pretend Doc is on the same level as coaches like Sloan.  Sloan's Jazz had to face Jordan, but that's besides the point.

My point was just that every coach in the Western conference playoffs and many of the ones in the Eastern conference have better track records and coaching reputations than Doc.

So while people may be right that what is going on is not his fault, we shouldn't go too far.  The Sloan thing was an illustrative example.

I will submit that if this roster had Jerry Sloan as coach they would win the championship.  Perspective means being realistic about Doc's capabilities as well.

Realistic? You are making up fantasy scenarios and pretending you know what would happen.

Don't forget -- Sloan has the same number of championships as Doc, and Sloan had 2 of the all time greatest players at their positions.

[guava_wrench]

What I mean is that we should not pretend Doc is on the same level as coaches like Sloan.  Sloan's Jazz had to face Jordan, but that's besides the point.

My point was just that every coach in the Western conference playoffs and many of the ones in the Eastern conference have better track records and coaching reputations than Doc.

So while people may be right that what is going on is not his fault, we shouldn't go too far.  The Sloan thing was an illustrative example.

Look at San Antonio. When Robinson got injured, the team was horrible. It's about the players.

Many of the respected coaches were once loathed because fans and owners like to blame coaches and they are easy to replace. We end up with a scenario where only 1 coach per year did his job well -- the one who wins in the finals.

Ainge does a great job in his WEEI interviews of showing how silly this mindset is. As Ainge points out, he knows how the defense and offense are supposed to be run, and it is obvious to him and those in the know when the players aren't executing.

Fortunately, this happens to every team, not just us. Look at how both series in the west are now even. Look at Philly & Det in the first round.