For being the shortest off season the Celtics have had since 1986, it sure does seem like it is taking forever for Game 1 and the flag raising to get here. And the vast amount of tremendously interesting topics to discuss here at Celticsblog has just made the time fly by.
Okay, maybe not. But as a community I have to say we sure are creative in drumming up subjects to while away the time.
But one subject that I have just not seen a lot of, if anything on, is one that in past off seasons, especially last, was a daily given and good for days of discourse on end.
Doc Rivers.
So....what about Doc you say? Well, what about him. He won that elusive first round playoff series, barely. He took a team to the promised land, one with three future Hall of Famers. He won 66 games but played in the astonishingly weak Eastern Conference. And while doing all that he still managed to drive most everybody here that is a Celtic diehard, completely out of their minds.
Now, I think most except the most ardent Doc detractors will admit he has earned the right to coach this team. I think most except the most ardent Doc detractors will admit that Doc did an overall very good job last year. I think most except the most ardent Doc detractors will admit Doc is probably a better coach than what they thought he was during last season at this time.
Or do you?
If you know me, you know I support Doc and will defend him incessantly. That's many because I do think he ever got a fair shake here because the general manager never gave him a team that could vie for anything more than a worst position in the draft lottery. I thought most of the criticism was misplaced and downright mean spirited and wrong. He was our coach and until he got some talent to work with, I said give the man a break and let's see what he could do.
He did well.
But, he drove me nuts. His overuse of Posey at the PF position and small ball was maddening. His horrible rotations that quite often used a "Green" team of subs when the game was still on the line had me throwing things at the television screen. His reliance on anyone but Perk in the fourth when the C's needed his size and defense almost had me committed. The misuse of Ray Allen as solely a three point assassin was almost unforgivable. And there was a lot of other things.
So does Doc deserve unlimited support or if he hasn't learned anything and continues to make the same mistakes does the free pass that most coaches and front offices get after a championship disappear faster than a pencil in a Batman movie?
Again I think most know where I stand. I support the man and really don't care for some of the name calling that went his way in the past. But I have to say, Doc might just get the shortest leash any championship coach has ever gotten. I don't think the fan base will take this team dropping back with a championship hangover and if they don't perform, Doc will feel the brunt of the heat.
The Celtics players have a love fest going on with this town right now and I don't see the blame for any lack of performance on their part to fall their way. It's going to be Doc's fault. No matter what.
So a little advice Doc. After the opening night ceremonies, forget last year. It didn't take place. Because if for any reason you or your team gets complacent, watch out. These Celtic fans aren't going to be like the Pats fans in 2002 or the Red Sox fans of 2005. Championships are our birthright and this crew had better deliver more.
Or else. Because the fan base might not be the only people ready to turn on you. Danny Ainge and Wyc Grousbek might not be very patient either.
Topic: The forgotten summer subject: Doc Rivers. (Read 9212 times)