Doc won us this game.

[Who]

I am shocked that going small actually worked.  It was greatly helped by Posey hitting everything.  And the Celtics finally realized the Lakers have no shot blockers.

I don't think it would have worked in games 1 and 2, when the Lakers were playing more straight up, but now that they were constantly trapping, it became more important to have good floor spacing, and guys who could make the defense pay for leaving their man open.

It also helped that Posey was able to completely neutralize Odom, who was destroying our big men.

Lakers were cheating even more in the first two games. They're just doing a better job of controlling it now.

The reason Powe got those 21 points and the reason the Celtics cut them apart in Game Two was because of their over-zealous help defense.

[Bossco]

I admit that I am not generally fond of doc as our coach. I still believe that he has some serious flaws, but the man deserves credit where credit is due.

I wish that he had made the move to switch Paul onto Kobe (instead of Paul suggesting it) and I wish that he never benched Eddie during much of these playoffs, but tonight he did a great job. It was great to see and hear him urge our guys on tonight.

This maybe the first time that I have ever praised doc here. I am hoping that it won't be the last.

Good job Doc!

[tanner]

On a night where everything in the 1st half wasn't working, Doc eventually found the right mix in the 2nd half and got his players to respond.  Yeah Doc deserves a lot of credit for this one.

[orrzor]

I think this is just surreal. After the game hearing Pierce praise Doc, hearing van Gundy praise Doc, hearing Tommy praise Doc. Everyone basically said he was masterful, and going small finally worked. Compare this to the 18 game losing streak where I wanted him fired very badly. Very happy for him and his team tonight.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Let me add my voice to the crowd, great job by Rivers, re-focusing the team in the 2nd half, offensively and defensively, also finding line-ups that worked, and compensating for Rondo's struggles, Perkins's injury, and Posey's foul trouble.

[fairweatherfan]

Doc adjusted terrifically, and Phil Jackson made a HUGE mistake by keeping Vujacic in too long after it became clear that he couldn't guard Ray Allen and wasn't hot from the field either.  Small ball with House made sense because it neutralized the Lakers playing off Rondo and spread the floor for our penetrators.  They aren't good enough rebounders to take advantage of their size against that lineup.  Brilliant counter, though Rondo being hurt helped us get there.

The 2nd half was Doc's first A+ of the playoffs. 

[angryguy77]

I jumped off the doc wagon these playoffs. But after tonight, I have to think that I might have been wrong...mabey. But I will say that he did a heck of a job tonight and I can't say enough about it. It was one of the best coaching jobs I've ever seen to be honest. I'm not back on the wagon yet, but I'm on the fence for sure, another coaching performance like this and I'll admit I was wrong.  In the words of Lloyd from "Dumb and Dumber" "there you go and totaly redeem yourself"

[tgreanier]

Check this out, from a Lakers board:

"No. Celts are not the better team. They just a have a better coach."

[kenmaine]

Hey folks, let's not go overboard here. The players won the game- just about everyone on the floor was fantastic, at least in the second half.
Everything Doc did worked out, so yes, give him credit. How much was coaching, or just having superior players is hard to say, but last night was awesome.
Great job all around, players and coach.

[2short]

The TEAM won us this game, and Doc is a big part of that team, but it wasn't just him .... Celtic heart and determination, and the perseverence to not give up. Doc's adjustments at halftime were awesome ... he totally pegged the weaknesses of the first half, talked the boys up, made rotational changes where they needed to be, and lit a fire under Paul's butt, (and a few others). As it has been all year, when this team plays their game ... as a cohesive unit, they are unbeatable! But to the spirit of this thread, awesome job, Doc ... you gave me some more hope in your abilities tonight ... keep up the great work! Go Celtics!

agreed, however I'll eat some crow since I've knocked doc's coaching for day 1.
He is doing a very nice job in areas with the team, keeping them level headed and adjusting his team to Phil's adjustments.  Great to see Eddie in there (who of course will help) not sure that eddie is docs great coaching or the fact that sam sucks and rajon hurt and no 3 pt range the lakers were killing us there.

[PaulBonner]

It's nice to see Doc getting the recognition he deserves for his truly masterful job in this game. Yes, the major adjustments came in the second half, but keeping his team in the right frame of mind when they went down big in the second quarter was HUGE.

Doc bashers are out stocking up on canned good and preparing for the Apocalypse... Doc Rivers just COMPLETELY outcoached Phil Jackson in the NBA Finals.

[fugazzi24]

wdleehi -  You might have to change your signature to out coaching Phil Jackson it is so easy after last night!!!!!


Lets win #17 for Red. 

[Pawtucket Pat]

Celtics won the game and on their way to win a title.


I have nothing to complain about right now.

Maybe you have nothing to complain about, but how about giving Doc some credit? You have bashed him mercilessly for years. How about giving him the credit he's due rather than a backhanded compliment?

[Roy Hobbs]

wdleehi -  You might have to change your signature to out coaching Phil Jackson it is so easy after last night!!!!!

Caveman > Doc > Phil

 

[wdleehi]

wdleehi -  You might have to change your signature to out coaching Phil Jackson it is so easy after last night!!!!!

Caveman > Doc > Phil

 

Caveman would have gotten the sweep.