Doc = A Problem That Needs Solving

[DivingCowens]

I know this is not a novel post, but it needs to be said after these last two losses.  We have all said it since the day he took the reigns, but now, with our window a year closer to closed, something needs to be done.

HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KILL MENTALITY

We need a coach who can step on throats like Red did.  Doc just doesn't have it.  The amount of time Rajon spent on the bench in the 4th two games ago was ridiculous.  Even at this point in the season, the rotations are a mess and he just can't seem to find the mix.  I can appreciate that Doc is the consummate "player's coach," but that's not gonna get us another ring.

Personally, I think Danny should take a long, hard look at handing the reigns over to Tom Thib.  We are lucky enough that he hasn't gotten a job somewhere else and that window is probably closing quick too.

Maybe I'm trigger happy with the coaching issues my Gators are having right now, but the C's matter more to me and I can't watch us blow any more double digit leads against far inferior teams.  The Clips???  The Warriors???  This simply shouldn't be happening.  Even with Paul out.  Shred me if you want, but we got #17 despite Doc's coaching, not because of it.

[Kiorrik]

Not about to shred you, just stating very firmly that:

I do not agree to the above.

I <3 Doc.

[Chris]

Not about to shred you, just stating very firmly that:

I do not agree to the above.

I <3 Doc.

Co-sign.  It is easy to blame the coach when things don't go right...but it's the players that need to make the plays.

[DivingCowens]

Co-sign.  It is easy to blame the coach when things don't go right...but it's the players that need to make the plays.

I hear you that the players are the ones who make the plays, but they have to be on the floor to make them, don't they?  Honestly, do you think that Doc coaches the 4th quarter as well as even a mediocre coach?  He coaches to the competition instead of based on his team and we are good enough to play our game against any team in the league.  Games like the last two shouldn't have even been close.  Rajon plays 38 against the Clips?  Sorry, IMO he is a 40min/night guy at least, especially since we have no real backup PG.  He is young, tough, and now, extremely well paid.  Keep him in the game unless he is in foul trouble. 

[Chris]

Co-sign.  It is easy to blame the coach when things don't go right...but it's the players that need to make the plays.

I hear you that the players are the ones who make the plays, but they have to be on the floor to make them, don't they?  Honestly, do you think that Doc coaches the 4th quarter as well as even a mediocre coach?  He coaches to the competition instead of based on his team and we are good enough to play our game against any team in the league.  Games like the last two shouldn't have even been close.  Rajon plays 38 against the Clips?  Sorry, IMO he is a 40min/night guy at least, especially since we have no real backup PG.  He is young, tough, and now, extremely well paid.  Keep him in the game unless he is in foul trouble. 

I don't really feel like getting into specifics, because I don't think micro-analyzing Doc's moves in games where half the team was playing with their head up their rear is necessary.  But I will just say that I don't really agree with your assessment. 

[Schupac]

Doc has his flaws in play calling, but he makes up for it in personnel management.  An NBA coach has to be part agent, managing a dozen egos.  He does that perfectly.

Why would you make Tom T the head coach when we already get the benefit of his defensive scheming and training?  What makes you think Tom T has "killer instinct"? 

If you were to fire Doc, who would you get as a replacement to do a better job?  And if they were better (and I don't think any better candidates are available) would it be worth changing coaches almost halfway through the season, losing that continuity and maybe even having someone try to implement new systems?

Sorry, I think your post is reactionary to a few losses.  Don't forget Doc completely outcoached the Great(ly overrated) Phil Jackson 2 years ago in the finals.  Doc isn't a bonehead by any means.

[screwedupmaniac]

Even at this point in the season, the rotations are a mess and he just can't seem to find the mix.

Rotations? What rotations? It's impossible to have great rotations when key players at key positions are injured or just coming back from injuries. We have no backup SF or PG (and currently no starting SF), a coach can only do so much to cover up these major weaknesses.

Rajon plays 38 against the Clips?  Sorry, IMO he is a 40min/night guy at least, especially since we have no real backup PG.  He is young, tough, and now, extremely well paid.  Keep him in the game unless he is in foul trouble. 

So I don't get it, do you want a rotation? Or do you want to run our starters into the ground in a rather meaningless mid-season game? If doc plays starters over 40 minutes a game, he gets torn apart by people, and if he plays them UNDER 40 minutes, he gets called "passive".

I just remembered why I don't make a habit of visiting Celticsblog when we hit a rare speedbump and lose a couple of games. Your assessment of Coach Rivers is extremely flawed and pretty spastic considering we are one of the top two teams in the league while dealing with several key injuries.

If anything, it wouldn't hurt us if management would trade the dead weight at the bottom of our bench for players that can actually help us win right now.

[EJPLAYA]

The only problem I have with Doc is his refusal to call a timeout and light into these guys a bit when they are playing sloppy or stupid basketball. Yes this team has a lot of vets that he can't be too over the top with, but a little "calling out" in a huddle when someone isn't doing what they are supposed to shouldn't be out of the question. He also needs to push Rondo a bit when he is making bad decisions and not playing the kind of defense we need him to.

[rondohondo]

We are missing PP and Daniels, now BBD is hurt again. If this team is healthy we wouldn't be talking about this. Doc makes some dumb moves like not having a big man guard the in bound pass with a few seconds left. Overall Doc is a very good coach and puts us in position to win most games. He already has a championship under his belt and has been coach of the year. Stop it!

[Chris]

The only problem I have with Doc is his refusal to call a timeout and light into these guys a bit when they are playing sloppy or stupid basketball. Yes this team has a lot of vets that he can't be too over the top with, but a little "calling out" in a huddle when someone isn't doing what they are supposed to shouldn't be out of the question. He also needs to push Rondo a bit when he is making bad decisions and not playing the kind of defense we need him to.

I am not sure this isn't happening.  I heard a LOT of Doc yelling last night, and he looked completely fed up going into half-time, after sounding as frustrated as I have heard him after Sunday's game.  I have a feeling he did have some choice words for them during timeouts...we just don't get to hear them.  

Ultimately though, I don't think hearing that from the coach does that much.  That needs to come from the veteran players.  

I did have a problem with him benching Allen, and then putting him back in the game though.  I think the message would have hit harder if he kept him out of the game at the end.

[dasandruler]

i like doc as coach....i dont like when the PLAYers decide to jack up 3s like riverboat gamblers:  8pt lead--jack up a 3 to show killer instinct....ball inside kick out to openshooter to jack up a lower% 3pt shot--instead of slashing to the hoop or back inside.  close game one posession 4th quarter---jack up a 3?....doc doesnt coach these guys to be the boston suns----theyre veering off the gameplan---dey cant shoot like these high falootin west coast teams<lackluster at best>....post up, inside game---sheed/garnet/perk...crash da boards---high%perimeter shots.  cut down the mental errors---players coach smayers coach---these guys know what to do---if anything, doc should start benching guys to make a point now...starter or not---and get these guys on message

[Rondo_is_better]

i like doc as coach....i dont like when the PLAYers decide to jack up 3s like riverboat gamblers:  8pt lead--jack up a 3 to show killer instinct....ball inside kick out to openshooter to jack up a lower% 3pt shot--instead of slashing to the hoop or back inside.  close game one posession 4th quarter---jack up a 3?....doc doesnt coach these guys to be the boston suns----theyre veering off the gameplan---dey cant shoot like these high falootin west coast teams<lackluster at best>....post up, inside game---sheed/garnet/perk...crash da boards---high%perimeter shots.  cut down the mental errors---players coach smayers coach---these guys know what to do---if anything, doc should start benching guys to make a point now...starter or not---and get these guys on message

That's a lot of dashes but I think you're right.

Except for that play at the very end.

When Doc drew up the Ray Allen curl for 3 when we were down 3 with a minute to go. Terrible coaching decision. Gotta go for the quick score and trust you're defense. The odds are so much better that you will produce 2 points (at the line or from closer in) and then stop the other team, versus making a 3 and stopping the other team. Especially because ALL NIGHT the 3's were clanging long of the rim, letting the Warriors get out on the break where they're impossible to stop.

[thirstyboots18]

Add me to the group that thinks Doc is doing a fine job, and I use the word "fine" purposefully.  Doc is walking a fine line again this year with playing time and injuries to get his team healthy and playing well for the end of the season.  This is one of the years that we will just have to wait to see how it plays out, but I think Doc is doing everything he can to bring about a good ending.  Individual games are important, but not as important as the season as a whole.  A championship is still the goal.

[amenhotep04]

I'm as critical of Doc as anybody, but I don't agree with the original post. Overreacting to a couple of losses by suggesting a replacement is a bit stiff. Heck, the Cs had 25 turnovers last night. Doc didn't commit those. And it wasn't the Warriors great defense. We commit 18 turnovers and the Cs have a win.

Haven't we gotten used to seeing these guys play badly for a few games at a time? Get over it.

One thing that I don't believe anyone has brought up is fatigue. The Celtics played on Friday on the East Coast, and then played late Sunday and Monday nights on the West Coast.

[The_Truth]

I do have a problem with Doc Rivers. Why is he giving Scalabrine so many minutes and sitting Bill  Walker??? that it still something i just can't understand.