Great Rotations by Doc!

[winsomme]

Doc had a good game but let's not go overboard, the players bear the responsibilty for this win.

Paul Pierce was Bird-like tonight. If he was white I would have sworn that I was watching Larry Bird play only with better one on one defense.

KG must have taken the Cavs offensive rebounding numbers personally last game. He was immense on the boards.

Eddie House was the heart and soul of this team tonight. Throw the stats out he was awesome.

PJ Brown is now showing us why picking him up was such a brilliant move. I hope to see more of him.

And the rest of the team played unreal defense all series. Way to go!!

Yes, Doc had a good game but let's stop giving him to much responsibility of a win and to much blame for a loss. The players play and the will win. They proved that all year. They will continue to for the next 8 wins.

i basically agree, but that isn't any more true for Doc than it is for Popovich or Scott or Saunders or Jackson....

the players need to play well for any team to win it all.....

[winsomme]

14 games into the playoffs, Doc finally makes an adjustment to the offense. 


Doc did his job today.  He changed his rotation at home again, and once again, it worked while the Celtics were at home. 


Time to move onto the next series. 

and what exactly was that adjustment?

this is the same offense we have been running all season folks.

there was nothing run tonight that hasn't been run not only all season, but in THIS series...

well, to start off, most of the offense ran through Pierce instead of an occasional Garnett in the post rather than by one of our Bigs at the top of the key.....  Pierce had the ball and made all the right decisions on when to shoot or pass...

Pierce had the ball all day at the top of the key in game 6.

today, he split the trap much better and he destroyed them when he got  into the heart of their D...

[Roy Hobbs]

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

[Redz]

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

He was shuttling House & Allen and Rondo & Posey for offense/defense the last couple of minutes.  I think that's what he's referring to.

 James Dunk Shot: Made (44 PTS)   2:20
[CLE 88-89]   
    2:20   Team Timeout:Regular
   2:20   Posey Substitution replaced by House
    2:20   Rondo Substitution replaced by Allen
    2:03   Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
James Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)   2:02   
James 3pt Shot: Missed   1:41   
    1:41   Brown Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
    1:21
[BOS 91-88]   Brown Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Assist: House (1 AST)
Team Timeout:Regular   1:21   
    1:21   House Substitution replaced by Rondo
    1:21   Allen Substitution replaced by Posey
Wallace Substitution replaced by Smith   1:21   
West 3pt Shot: Missed   1:04   
    1:03   Posey Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
(1:00) Jump Ball Posey vs Ilgauskas
    0:58   Team Timeout:Regular
   0:58   Rondo Substitution replaced by House
    0:58   Posey Substitution replaced by Allen
Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by Wallace   0:58   
    0:36   Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
James Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)   0:35   
James Jump Shot: Missed   0:25   
    0:24   Garnett Rebound (Off:2 Def:11)
Wallace Foul:Personal (5 PF)   0:18   
    0:18
[BOS 92-88]   Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
    0:18
[BOS 93-88]   Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Team Timeout:Short   0:18   
    0:18   Allen Substitution replaced by Posey
    0:18   Brown Substitution replaced by Rondo
Wallace Substitution replaced by Jones   0:18   
    0:16   Pierce Foul:Shooting (4 PF)
James Free Throw 1 of 2 missed   0:16   
Team Rebound   0:16   
   0:16   Rondo Substitution replaced by Allen
    0:16   Posey Substitution replaced by Brown
Jones Substitution replaced by Wallace   0:16   
James Free Throw 2 of 2 (45 PTS)   0:16
[CLE 89-93]   
West Foul:Personal (4 PF)   0:16   
    0:16
[BOS 94-89]   House Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
    0:16   Brown Substitution replaced by Posey
Wallace Substitution replaced by Jones   0:16   
    0:16   Allen Substitution replaced by Rondo
    0:16
[BOS 95-89]   House Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Pavlovic 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Assist: James (6 AST)   0:08
[CLE 92-95]   
Pavlovic Foul:Personal (5 PF)   0:07   
    0:07
[BOS 96-92]   Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (40 PTS)
Jones Substitution replaced by Wallace   0:07   
    0:07
[BOS 97-92]   Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (41 PTS)
Team Timeout:Short   0:07   
Wallace Substitution replaced by Jones   0:07   
James 3pt Shot: Missed   0:05   
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)   0:04   
Smith Turnover:Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:House (1 ST)   0:01   

[Bahku]

Sorry, but I just don't think the rotation was "great" today. Guess I'm the killjoy here, but there were many times when the rotation made little since, or failed to match up well with who the Cavs had on the floor. I'd say overall he did a decent job, but far from what I'd consider "great".

One thing that still amazes me is how often he takes the hottest player out of the game, just when that player is hitting his "groove", and how his preference for "size" overwhelms good judgement. Anyway ... it's great to be on to the next series, and I'll say: Good job, Doc, (for the most part).

[winsomme]

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

are you seriously maintaining that Doc was making constant subs at the end of the game?

maybe, the play by play will convince you otherwise:

http://www.nba.com/games/20080518/CLEBOS/playbyplay.html#4

[Roy Hobbs]

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

He was shuttling House & Allen and Rondo & Posey (? I think was Posey) for offense/defense the last couple of minutes.  I think that's what he's referring to.

Yes, I know that happened.  There's a question on whether it made sense to substitute Ray out with 16 seconds left when we were being intentionally fouled, but that's nit-picking.

My objection to winsomme is the contention that Mike Brown was "scrambling".  He wasn't.  That just didn't happen.

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

are you seriously maintaining that Doc was making constant subs at the end of the game?

maybe, the play by play will convince you otherwise:

http://www.nba.com/games/20080518/CLEBOS/playbyplay.html#4

Mike Brown and Doc are different coaches.  How does Doc making substitutions show that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?  That didn't happen.  I'm not sure what you were talking about, but you were wrong.

[Roy Hobbs]

Sorry, but I just don't think the rotation was "great" today. Guess I'm the killjoy here, but there were many times when the rotation made little since, or failed to match up well with who the Cavs had on the floor. I'd say overall he did a decent job, but far from what I'd consider "great".

One thing that still amazes me is how often he takes the hottest player out of the game, just when that player is hitting his "groove", and how his preference for "size" overwhelms good judgement. Anyway ... it's great to be on to the next series, and I'll say: Good job, Doc, (for the most part).

Thank you, Bahku.  Doc's performance was adequate, but it certainly wasn't otherworldly.  I think a lot of people are just starved for things to praise him about at this point, so they "scramble" to come up with things.

[winsomme]

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

He was shuttling House & Allen and Rondo & Posey (? I think was Posey) for offense/defense the last couple of minutes.  I think that's what he's referring to.

Yes, I know that happened.  There's a question on whether it made sense to substitute Ray out with 16 seconds left when we were being intentionally fouled, but that's nit-picking.

My objection to winsomme is the contention that Mike Brown was "scrambling".  He wasn't.  That just didn't happen.

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

are you seriously maintaining that Doc was making constant subs at the end of the game?

maybe, the play by play will convince you otherwise:

http://www.nba.com/games/20080518/CLEBOS/playbyplay.html#4

Mike Brown and Doc are different coaches.  How does Doc making substitutions show that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?  That didn't happen.  I'm not sure what you were talking about, but you were wrong.

ummm, you were wrong...but don't let the facts get in your way.

[Redz]

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

He was shuttling House & Allen and Rondo & Posey (? I think was Posey) for offense/defense the last couple of minutes.  I think that's what he's referring to.

Yes, I know that happened.  There's a question on whether it made sense to substitute Ray out with 16 seconds left when we were being intentionally fouled, but that's nit-picking.

My objection to winsomme is the contention that Mike Brown was "scrambling".  He wasn't.  That just didn't happen.

the way he managed the end of the game running players in and out was exceptional...he had Brown scrambling.

Huh?  What special substitutions were those, and how did it force Brown to adjust?  The only adjustment Brown was making at the end was Wallace-for-Jones subs, which were independent of any Doc substitution.

I mean, I'm not criticizing Doc here, but you're giving him credit for something that didn't happen.  What evidence do you have that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?

are you seriously maintaining that Doc was making constant subs at the end of the game?

maybe, the play by play will convince you otherwise:

http://www.nba.com/games/20080518/CLEBOS/playbyplay.html#4

Mike Brown and Doc are different coaches.  How does Doc making substitutions show that Mike Brown was "scrambling"?  That didn't happen.  I'm not sure what you were talking about, but you were wrong.

Ahhh, I'd have to look at the tape to see Brown's level of scrambledness.

[stanthompsonismyhero]

During the regular season, one of the reasons the Celtics were so good was that Doc stayed out of the way and didn't make it harder for the team to win.  Unfortunately, he has decided that the playoffs are the time to end that winning gameplan.  For the most part, Doc was unable to make it harder for the C's today (although he did his best to lose it at the end by taking the best free throw shooter in the league out of the game. 

[Who]

There's a question on whether it made sense to substitute Ray out with 16 seconds left when we were being intentionally fouled, but that's nit-picking.

I saw your post on that in the game thread at the time, meant to respond to it, never got around to it.

I thought Doc wanted Rondo in there to defend their three point shooters. They had Delonte and Damon Jones on the floor. Rondo could deny the three pointer better. I thought that was his intention.

[winsomme]

There's a question on whether it made sense to substitute Ray out with 16 seconds left when we were being intentionally fouled, but that's nit-picking.

I saw your post on that in the game thread at the time, meant to respond to it, never got around to it.

I thought Doc wanted Rondo in there to defend their three point shooters. They had Delonte and Damon Jones on the floor. Rondo could deny the three pointer better. I thought that was his intention.

exactly.

[Bahku]

I'm amazed at how every win seems to translate into: "Doc did a great job" ... just because we have a victory, doesn't mean that Doc coached a great game .... I just don't see it. There were nearly as many head-scratching moments tonight as usual, but because we hung on to win, (in a very close game), people see the need to take the "Doc's Vindication" mantle and run with it.

The players dug down deep and pulled this one out, especially Pierce, but I just didn't see anything that, for me, translated into "great" coaching. There have been games this year where the rotation was great, and times when Doc deserved praise for his coaching, (although I'm beginning to think that a good deal of those may have been luck), but I don't think today's game qualified.

I think the substitutions and play-calling could have been much better in this one, and that it was far too close a game because of it. I'll give credit to Doc when it's due, but today wasn't one of his best ... by any means. Sorry, but I just can't jump on this bandwagon ... too much tongue-in-cheek.

[Roy Hobbs]

There's a question on whether it made sense to substitute Ray out with 16 seconds left when we were being intentionally fouled, but that's nit-picking.

I saw your post on that in the game thread at the time, meant to respond to it, never got around to it.

I thought Doc wanted Rondo in there to defend their three point shooters. They had Delonte and Damon Jones on the floor. Rondo could deny the three pointer better. I thought that was his intention.

It turned out to be a moot point, but at that point, I'd rather have the 90% free throw shooter in there, rather than the marginal upgrade in perimeter defense.  Again, though, it's not the hugest deal in the world, especially because the Cavs first couldn't deny House the ball, and then Pierce came up clutch and hit his freebies.