Get off the Doc-Aid

[DivingCowens]

Okay, I made a similar post earlier in the season and got ripped apart.  Are you all ready to stop drinking the Doc-Aid yet?

He is NOT A CLOSER!  Doesn't know how to coach closers and never has.

His teams in Orlando couldn't close.  Even our banner year team had MAJOR trouble closing out other teams (we played at least 6 more games in that playoffs than we should have). Now we have a very different roster, with different pieces and ITS THE SAME STORY!!   Does anyone want to dispute that the one common piece is GLEN RIVERS??

Whether it is the NYK or the Cavs, he just can't seem to hold leads.  I know what some are going to say... the players play the game.  Well, again, it just is not a coincidence that ALL of Doc's teams face the SAME problem.

He's a good coach.  Maybe a great "player's coach," whatever significance that term of art has.  But he is just NOT a championship coach and it took one of the greatest TEAMS in recent memory to barely get him the ring. 

Last night was embarrassing and it all came down to poor rotation management, poor strategy with using time outs (something that he ALWAYS has problems with as momentum killers), and just an overall sinking demeanor.  When we start losing a lead, he is the first one to start making the faces, and shrugging the shoulders, wah wah wah wah wah!!!!

Time to say thanks, and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Something is broke, so Danny, it's time to fix it.

[pengaloo]

I don't think it's time for him go to yet - the players all love him, and bringing in someone new is more distraction than anything. But you bring up a good point about the body language. It bothers me when the cameras move to to Doc on the bench and he's sitting there moping during our 2nd half collapses. If the team is lacking energy, he should be there providing it, not shaking his head, facepalming, and feeling sorry for himself. Doc was the one who told Rondo during his rookie year that the other players hated playing with him because his body language sucked. Well, I feel that Doc is never 100% mentally in the game, like he can't wait to take the next year off to be with his family. Can't blame him for feeling discouraged with our blown leads - but he needs to be a leader.

[kozlodoev]

Our team was closing games just fine during the championship season (and even for most of the time last year). But of course it's all because of the players and has nothing to do with Doc.

[DivingCowens]

Our team was closing games just fine during the championship season (and even for most of the time last year).

I'm sorry, but did you watch the playoffs?  If you take "finish" to mean just winning, okay.  You didn't mind the leads we blew against ATL?  How about the Bulls?  Say what you want, but don't say the team closed out games.  If someone could actually research it, I guarantee that in each of the last 3 seasons we have led the league in blown leads of 10-20 points.

[sk7326]

The Cavs were better last night ... really it was that simple ... blaming Doc is easy, heck we need to blame something right?  Cavs just waited, watched us play a perfect half, then ... squish ...

[Chris]

The Cavs were better last night ... really it was that simple ... blaming Doc is easy, heck we need to blame something right?  Cavs just waited, watched us play a perfect half, then ... squish ...

Yup.  The Cavs analyzed the C's weakness in the first half, and then exploited it in the second half.  It was what the C's did in 2008.

[JSD]

I understand the frustration from the OP here. At this point Doc has got to take some blame.

[Q_FBE]

Well, I think to is time for a cool chAinge here. Danny boya brought in this bunch on his own, let him coach this season out. I was gonna start a coaching thread here but Diving Cowens did the work for me. Thank You and have a Tommy on me.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

I don't think it's time for him go to yet - the players all love him, and bringing in someone new is more distraction than anything. But you bring up a good point about the body language. It bothers me when the cameras move to to Doc on the bench and he's sitting there moping during our 2nd half collapses. If the team is lacking energy, he should be there providing it, not shaking his head, facepalming, and feeling sorry for himself. Doc was the one who told Rondo during his rookie year that the other players hated playing with him because his body language sucked. Well, I feel that Doc is never 100% mentally in the game, like he can't wait to take the next year off to be with his family. Can't blame him for feeling discouraged with our blown leads - but he needs to be a leader.

That's actually something that I love about Doc - he generally looks how we all generally feel throughout the game.

He doesn't sugarcoat anything nor is he afraid to accept responsibility for his actions (i.e. playing Rondo all 24 minutes in the 1st half last night).

To the OP - please be a more educated fan and stop making Doc your scape goat.

[MBunge]

To the OP - please be a more educated fan and stop making Doc your scape goat.

He's not a scapegoat because he actually IS at fault for some of this.  When Doc refuses to put in Shelden Williams, no matter how horrible 'Sheed and Big Baby are playing, that's Doc's fault.  Not demanding the ball go into KG in the post in the 4th quarter last night, and taking Rondo out if he won't do it, is Doc's fault.

Mike

[Eja117]

I don't think it's time for him go to yet - the players all love him,

if they  loved him they'd play for him. 

They may love him, but if they love him in a "We'll always love you no matter what" sort of a way then we have a big problem.

[DivingCowens]

That's actually something that I love about Doc - he generally looks how we all generally feel throughout the game.

...

To the OP - please be a more educated fan and stop making Doc your scape goat.

Excuse me, but not only am I an educated fan, but I watch every game and have done so for the last 6 years since I first got NBA league pass.  I also am a Florida resident who watched plenty of Glen's games while he was coaching the Magic since they were the regional coverage. This is not a scape goat situation since I have always felt this way about him.  And... it happens to be true! 

You think it's good to not stop the other team's momentum with a time-out?  Good, you are right in line with Glen.  You think it's good to leave guys on the floor who aren't getting it done?  Again, peas in a pod you are.  You think that a man paid millions of dollars to lead other men should be sulky and visibly distraught like a twelve year old?  You guys just belong together.

I like the above suggestion about Danny, but would be concerned with his health and distracting him from his other duties.  We already have the fire on the bench that we need.  Thibbs would keep the team chemistry intact and, more importantly, would be a coach who wouldn't be afraid to get in his players' faces when they are dragging, or when momentum is shifting. 

Bottom line, Red would never have lit a cigar until there was no time left on the clock if he was around for Glen's coaching.  Red's victory cigars are to victory like Glen's "waive my hand and shake my head at the refs while sipping my water bottle" are to blowing huge leads.

I don't care if people on here disagree.  And nothing is 100% anyone's fault in these games.  But the coach should be able to lift spirits in these situations, not contribute to their deflation.  Glen doesn't do this.  He is not a scape goat.  He is just not a closer.

[MBz]

I kind of agree with the not a closer concept.  For instance, last night I felt he left Allen and KG on the bench a little too long during the 2nd quarter when the Cavs made a semi run to get back into the game.  I would have liked to see him really get the lead up big at that point.

[DivingCowens]

How about today?  Anyone still drinking it?

Scalabrine playing that much time??  Tony sitting on the bench?  What the hell lineups were in there!?!?!?!?!?

HE IS THE PROBLEM!  And frankly, even if he isn't the sole cause, a change needs to be made and SOON.  The limited window is closing and if there is any hope at all, we need Glen out!  The fact that Danny is blaming the starters and giving Glen a pass is nothing short of scary.

Keep on letting him slide, but this thread will be resurrected after every flat-out embarrassing display such as today.