Ainge concerned with team mentality

[Casperian]

From today´s Herald:

“You can’t sit around and wait,” he said. “To be honest, I don’t see a lot of similarities between the ’86 team and this one.

“I don’t buy into those excuses,” Ainge said of the long-term argument. “The bottom line is that we’re a better team than (how) we’re playing. We’re just not showing it. We’re playing well some times, and not well at others. (The players) just need to focus like the coaches focus.

“If we’re not paying attention to that, and we’re thinking that we’re so good, then we’re in trouble. I see a difference in how we play when we have our backs to the wall, so you can tell that we have what we need, but it has to be more than that.”

http://bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?&articleid=1215233&format=&page=1&listingType=celt#articleFull


What do you think?
Is this reason to be concerned?
Will the team be able to simply "flip the switch" in february and play 2007 ball again, or should they work on their intensity level sooner rather than later??

I have to say it´s good to hear that Ainge isn´t satisfied with the team´s performances over the last weeks.

[wdleehi]

I think the GM is doing what the players or coaches should have already. 


Trying to be the vocal leader to get things going.

[celticsclay]

I have a mixed reaction on this. On one hand, I obviously prefer the blowouts, resting our starters and handling team early and easily. Who doesn't ? However, maybe there is something to be said that we are pulling out all these close wins. When we are in a close game against good teams later in the year, I think the memories of KG hitting a game winner can only help. Also, perhaps the players feel they peaked too early last year. Maybe if KG wasn't running around 120% last year, he doesn't get injured. Maybe PP and Ray Allen aren't completley banged up by the magic series etc.

I know I will probably get slammed for this idea of a silver lining in our lethargic play. However, at the end of the day we are on pace for well over 50 wins and at worst a third seed in the east. I would rather have us in good health, with more energy left then have the number one seed and the talking heads raving about our play all year. Thoughts....?

[Jon]

He's probably right to some extent.  Still, the C's have one of the best records in the league, despite having played a fairly tough opening schedule, a still-recovering KG, and no Baby.  So I wouldn't get too down on the team.  

It all goes back to the age old question of whether you have to be focused all season to win it all.  The Spurs teams and a lot of Shaq's title teams (Lakers and Heat) were notorious for not going 100% during the regular season, yet they still won a ton of titles.  Furthermore, the '08 title team played it's butt off in the regular season and then almost lost to the Hawks and Cavs in the first and second round.  The question I guess we have to ask is if we want them to play all out now and if they do, whether they'll have enough left for the playoffs?  

I'm not sure I know the answer.  

[Chief]

The only thing that I worry about is Doc's coaching. If this team is healthy I think they can make a great run at the title. The only problem will be if Doc wears out the older players before the post season.

[footey]

Danny is calling it as he sees it: there is something off with this team.  It is a joke to compare them to the '86 squad, which only lost one home game all year.  Pierce is the only guy who is meeting, or exceeding expectations on a personal level. On a team level, more importantly, the lack of 48 minute commitment to defense is stark. It seems every new opponent of the Celtics has a season high field goal percentage.  That is beyond coincidence. We lack the athleticism to shut guys down on an individual basis. If all 5 prongs of the defense are not in sync, the machine breaks down quickly.  I still have hope, especially seeing us go to work in the 3rd quarter vs. Toronto. But enough talk, fellas, get to work now, and don't expect to turn it on later.

I think Danny was saying something along those lines.

[celticsclay]

Danny is calling it as he sees it: there is something off with this team.  It is a joke to compare them to the '86 squad, which only lost one home game all year.  Pierce is the only guy who is meeting, or exceeding expectations on a personal level. On a team level, more importantly, the lack of 48 minute commitment to defense is stark. It seems every new opponent of the Celtics has a season high field goal percentage.  That is beyond coincidence. We lack the athleticism to shut guys down on an individual basis. If all 5 prongs of the defense are not in sync, the machine breaks down quickly.  I still have hope, especially seeing us go to work in the 3rd quarter vs. Toronto. But enough talk, fellas, get to work now, and don't expect to turn it on later.

I think Danny was saying something along those lines.

I would say that Sheldon has definitely exceed my expectations. I agree with you that nobody else has though. Quise has given us about what I expected.

[KJ33]

The only thing that I worry about is Doc's coaching. If this team is healthy I think they can make a great run at the title. The only problem will be if Doc wears out the older players before the post season.

Some people will just constantly worry I guess.  The Big 3 are all playing a career low in minutes thus far.  Doc is eminently aware of the need to have them fresh and healthy for the playoffs.  You think bloggers have this insight but not the actual paid coach of the team whose investment in winning is far more than the fandom?

[Bahku]

From today´s Herald:

“You can’t sit around and wait,” he said. “To be honest, I don’t see a lot of similarities between the ’86 team and this one.

“I don’t buy into those excuses,” Ainge said of the long-term argument. “The bottom line is that we’re a better team than (how) we’re playing. We’re just not showing it. We’re playing well some times, and not well at others. (The players) just need to focus like the coaches focus.

“If we’re not paying attention to that, and we’re thinking that we’re so good, then we’re in trouble. I see a difference in how we play when we have our backs to the wall, so you can tell that we have what we need, but it has to be more than that.”

http://bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?&articleid=1215233&format=&page=1&listingType=celt#articleFull


What do you think?
Is this reason to be concerned?
Will the team be able to simply "flip the switch" in february and play 2007 ball again, or should they work on their intensity level sonner rather than later??

I have to say it´s good to hear that Ainge isn´t satisfied with the team´s performances over the last weeks.

This is one of the things that makes Danny an excellent owner ... he knows the game and takes an active part in it's inner-workings, and has no problem calling the players out if he feels that's what's needed ... and right now, it IS needed. This team is playing half-heartedly, and they need a kick in the butt ... maybe Danny is the one who can make the difference. Let's hope so.

[nickagneta]

I read this earlier today and was going to post it because Ainge seems to be putting all the blame for the poor play of the team squarely on the attitude and shoulders of the players and absolves Doc and the coaching staff of all responsibility.

Saying the players don't have the focus of the coaches speaks volumes to me as to who he feels should own the responsibility for the recent lack of good play by the Celtics.

Listen up Celticsblog because if you think the fault here lies at the feet of the coaches, the man in charge, Danny Ainge doesn't agree with you.

“Our team can win right now without focusing on the little things, but that’s not going to last. (Coach Doc Rivers) is doing a good job, and the players want to win and do it. Are they willing to pay the price in practice? But I don’t think there’s much to it yet.”

[Casperian]

I read this earlier today and was going to post it because Ainge seems to be putting all the blame for the poor play of the team squarely on the attitude and shoulders of the players and absolves Doc and the coaching staff of all responsibility.

Saying the players don't have the focus of the coaches speaks volumes to me as to who he feels should own the responsibility for the recent lack of good play by the Celtics.

Listen up Celticsblog because if you think the fault here lies at the feet of the coaches, the man in charge, Danny Ainge doesn't agree with you.

“Our team can win right now without focusing on the little things, but that’s not going to last. (Coach Doc Rivers) is doing a good job, and the players want to win and do it. Are they willing to pay the price in practice? But I don’t think there’s much to it yet.”

To be honest, I think that´s just arguing semantics, and more about who you can make responsible, and not who really is responsible. I know you normally have to read between the lines with Danny, but I don´t think that´s the case here. They´re all in the same boat, wether it´s the coaches or the player´s fault.
Fact is, the coaches are not on the court.

Zach Lowe from celticshub had this to say:

But what does Danny mean by “the little things”? Boxing out? Deflecting passes? It’s hard to tell, and he doesn’t really elaborate. But Doc Rivers does, and he repeats something we’ve heard him say at least two other times so far this season: The C’s are playing undisciplined basketball, occasionally breaking plays on offense and disobeying orders on defense.

Per the same Herald story:

“But you can’t play the game in random, and that’s what we’re doing at times, on the defensive end, too. (Orlando’s) first nine points the other night were off of that, and I was like, ‘(Expletive), we just went through a walkthrough.’ We actually trapped Dwight Howard once, and we never trap Dwight Howard. It’s not like anyone is doing it to hurt your team. That’s just the IQ that’s been activated, but it’s not the time.”

This is obviously something that bears close, close monitoring. I try and pay close attention in games to find instances in which the C’s appear to break plays, but I’m sure I miss a bunch of examples.

So, if this is really a case of an cocky and over-confident team who lacks a few percentages to put them over the top, then you could make Doc responsible for this situation, but in the end, it really is up to the players to beat themselves and step up their game.

[Chief]

I read this earlier today and was going to post it because Ainge seems to be putting all the blame for the poor play of the team squarely on the attitude and shoulders of the players and absolves Doc and the coaching staff of all responsibility.

Saying the players don't have the focus of the coaches speaks volumes to me as to who he feels should own the responsibility for the recent lack of good play by the Celtics.

Listen up Celticsblog because if you think the fault here lies at the feet of the coaches, the man in charge, Danny Ainge doesn't agree with you.

“Our team can win right now without focusing on the little things, but that’s not going to last. (Coach Doc Rivers) is doing a good job, and the players want to win and do it. Are they willing to pay the price in practice? But I don’t think there’s much to it yet.”

I either don't agree with Danny or think he is lying.

[cornbreadsmart]

how is this doc's fault? How many times has a celtic dove for a ball this year? That's not on doc. i love danny. i questioned him about how he dealt with rondo. i was wrong there. Danny knows what he's doing. 

[Brickowski]

I think primarily it's age, not mentality.  Team mentality comes into play when older players feel the need to pace themselves, although IMHO they probably did get a bit carried away with their press clippings.

But they should be experienced enough to know that you rest on offense, not on defense.

[nickagneta]

I read this earlier today and was going to post it because Ainge seems to be putting all the blame for the poor play of the team squarely on the attitude and shoulders of the players and absolves Doc and the coaching staff of all responsibility.

Saying the players don't have the focus of the coaches speaks volumes to me as to who he feels should own the responsibility for the recent lack of good play by the Celtics.

Listen up Celticsblog because if you think the fault here lies at the feet of the coaches, the man in charge, Danny Ainge doesn't agree with you.

“Our team can win right now without focusing on the little things, but that’s not going to last. (Coach Doc Rivers) is doing a good job, and the players want to win and do it. Are they willing to pay the price in practice? But I don’t think there’s much to it yet.”

To be honest, I think that´s just arguing semantics, and more about who you can make responsible, and not who really is responsible. I know you normally have to read between the lines with Danny, but I don´t think that´s the case here. They´re all in the same boat, wether it´s the coaches or the player´s fault.
Fact is, the coaches are not on the court.

Zach Lowe from celticshub had this to say:

But what does Danny mean by “the little things”? Boxing out? Deflecting passes? It’s hard to tell, and he doesn’t really elaborate. But Doc Rivers does, and he repeats something we’ve heard him say at least two other times so far this season: The C’s are playing undisciplined basketball, occasionally breaking plays on offense and disobeying orders on defense.

Per the same Herald story:

“But you can’t play the game in random, and that’s what we’re doing at times, on the defensive end, too. (Orlando’s) first nine points the other night were off of that, and I was like, ‘(Expletive), we just went through a walkthrough.’ We actually trapped Dwight Howard once, and we never trap Dwight Howard. It’s not like anyone is doing it to hurt your team. That’s just the IQ that’s been activated, but it’s not the time.”

This is obviously something that bears close, close monitoring. I try and pay close attention in games to find instances in which the C’s appear to break plays, but I’m sure I miss a bunch of examples.

So, if this is really a case of an cocky and over-confident team who lacks a few percentages to put them over the top in close games, then you could make Doc responsible for this situation, but in the end, it really is up to the players to beat themselves and step up their game.

Well of course they are all in the same boat because whether Ainge feels it is the sole responsibility of the players for their poor play or not, if Doc can't get the group to stop playing poorly, it will be Doc that gets fired not the 15 players that get traded away. That, however, doesn't mean that Ainge believes that Doc is at fault, only that the easiest way to fix things is to replace Doc, not the players.


That said, I think Doc is right. I think these players are playing outside the basic schemes and plays way to much. Lots of wandering on defense with late rotations or no rotations and lots of individual work on offense with ill advised long shots.

For now Danny is blaming the players and backing the coach. Doc had better feel good about that now but also realize that it is still his responsibility to get these players to play better or else he WILL be the one ultimately held responsible.