Has Doc Lost This Team?

[Chris]

Sadly, it is starting to look this way.  I cannot blame Doc for it though, there are forces much larger than him at work.  I think there are some MAJOR cracks in this team right now, and it is not completely surprising, when you look at the makeup.

3 former superstars, who are breaking down, and can't do what they used to do, but clearly have not come to grips with it yet.  They all have very strong personalities, and even bigger egos.

2 up and coming young guys who are starting to get some national attention.  They also have very large egos, and both have personalities that don't sit well with everyone.

A ton of players in their walk year, and even some of those who aren't who are being rumored to be trade bait.

And this isn't even mentionining guys like Davis or Sheed, who both have some make-up questions, but really do not have the cache on this team to push them over the edge like this.

It is an explosion that was waiting to happen, and it seems like it is finally coming to a head.  

[PosImpos]

if he's been telling them the right things to do differently, it certainly doesn't appear they've been listening

[jdpapa3]

He did bench one person yesterday: Rondo, who happens to be our best passer. Seemed odd at the time, and is twice as frustrating now when you consider how bad Collison abused House. I think Doc was looking to make an example out of somebody and saw Rondo get beat for reaching in a few times and benched him.

Other posters have mentioned this, but Perkins' body language seems to have changed. There was definitely a decision within the team to stop picking up technical fouls and to pipe down with the whining. Did Perk take this personally? I just know that Perkins hasn't felt the same recently. He feels like a different player and I can't put my finger on it.

[Chris]

He did bench one person yesterday: Rondo, who happens to be our best passer. Seemed odd at the time, and is twice as frustrating now when you consider how bad Collison abused House. I think Doc was looking to make an example out of somebody and saw Rondo get beat for reaching in a few times and benched him.

Other posters have mentioned this, but Perkins' body language seems to have changed. There was definitely a decision within the team to stop picking up technical fouls and to pipe down with the whining. Did Perk take this personally? I just know that Perkins hasn't felt the same recently. He feels like a different player and I can't put my finger on it.

I think the benching of Rondo is frustrating.  I think it was absolutely the right thing to do (he was completely checked out last night), but if Doc wants to send a message to the team, he needs to do the same thing with the other guys who are not focussed.  Right now, it is coming across like Doc has picked sides in the old/versus young battle, and even though I don't think its actually true, that perception is not helping things at all. 

Basically, at this point, Doc would be better off if he started going after everyone, to unite them against him. 

[jdpapa3]

Basically, at this point, Doc would be better off if he started ****ing everyone off, to unite them against him. 

Haha. Great point. I've won a championship under these circumstances.

I just wish I understood the old/young divide a little more. Who are the guys that rub each other the wrong way? Is it basically Rondo, Perk, Davis vs. Pierce, Allen, KG, House? Are some guys neutral? It's hard to assess everything when we are not there. 

[wdleehi]

As players come back, and big leads are made, questions about why this team plays so flat after halftime become more and more focus on the man that is suppose to lead them.


Is this whole mess all Doc's fault? 


Of course not.



But is it his job to fix what he has on the court? 


Yes.


Has he?

Not even close. 

[Chris]

As players come back, and big leads are made, questions about why this team plays so flat after halftime become more and more focus on the man that is suppose to lead them.


Is this whole mess all Doc's fault? 


Of course not.



But is it his job to fix what he has on the court? 


Yes.


Has he?

Not even close. 

Can he (or any coach for that matter)?

I am not sure.

But your right, it is his responsibility, and right or wrong, he will likely be the one on the hook if they can't turn it around.

[wdleehi]

As players come back, and big leads are made, questions about why this team plays so flat after halftime become more and more focus on the man that is suppose to lead them.


Is this whole mess all Doc's fault? 


Of course not.



But is it his job to fix what he has on the court? 


Yes.


Has he?

Not even close. 

Can he (or any coach for that matter)?

I am not sure.

But your right, it is his responsibility, and right or wrong, he will likely be the one on the hook if they can't turn it around.

Who knows? 

He should be able to at least get the team to a point they can hold on to wins when having such big leads at halftime. 

[RonnieG]

  Has Doc really ever had this team?

[twinbree]

I don't think he's lost them but he's expecting or telling them to do things they are unable to do. We're still trying to replicate the success of the championship season but that ship has sailed. The team is older, less athletic, the relative contributions of the core players have changed and the rest of the league is learning ways to get around our defense.

[Chris]

As players come back, and big leads are made, questions about why this team plays so flat after halftime become more and more focus on the man that is suppose to lead them.


Is this whole mess all Doc's fault? 


Of course not.



But is it his job to fix what he has on the court? 


Yes.


Has he?

Not even close. 

Can he (or any coach for that matter)?

I am not sure.

But your right, it is his responsibility, and right or wrong, he will likely be the one on the hook if they can't turn it around.

Who knows? 

He should be able to at least get the team to a point they can hold on to wins when having such big leads at halftime. 

Should he?  The problem is, this team is not losing because of X's and O's, they are losing because of lack of effort and focus.  And unfortunately, on a veteran team like this (heck, on any NBA team), once a team stops trying, a coach is not going to change that.  It needs to be from their peers.  And that's not happening.

[jdpapa3]

Do you think it could be x's and o's? The offense has been putrid in second halves.

I am personally starting to question whether it really is the effort and focus because the 3rd quarter collapses are becoming so normal that the team has to be ready for them mentally.

[OCsWestCeltic]

This team has gone down the drain!!  I am so disappointed in the effort and execution of last nights game Vs. the Hornets.

What a pathetic group of guys on the court.  No one looked to have any disipline as to what to do, where to be for a pass, it was simply pathetic.  Doc looked utterly lost!!

[PierceMVP08]

I haven't had time to read the whole thread but I thought exactly the same thing last night.  It seems his threats of yanking people if they don't perform have fallen on deaf ears.  He can shout and holler all he wants, but it doesn't seem like they don't respond to him.  A clear example was when Rondo pulled up for a jumpshot right after a time out with about 2 min to go in the game.  Obviously that was not the play the drew up out of the huddle.

Sadly, it looks like Doc is drowning

[Bankshot]

Is there any denying it now?