Two interesting statements in the article:
Said coach Doc Rivers following Thursday’s game: "There’s nothing I can do about [double-digit leads]. Obviously, I’d like to improve it. We’d like to be better. But we’re not right now, and we’ve just got to keep working on it. I know what we need to do. But one night it’ll be the defense, one night it’ll be the offense."
Then Danny says: "We have to play with more focus and commitment. It’s effort. It’s there to start the game and it’s up to the players."
Maybe I'm just too old school, or just too old, but if there's no one to motivate the players through various means, then I don't quite understand the need for high paid coaches. Doc says there's nothing he can do about it, and Danny says it's up to the players. Sounds pretty pathetic to me. If they're not playing 100%, then sit them until their attitude and effort changes.
Well, in many ways Doc is a K.C. Jones style coach. He's also not that much different than Phil Jackson. He can draw up some plays, but his greatest strength is keeping a bunch of talented players on the same page. Doc's done that.
But he's not Bill Fitch or Pat Riley. He's not going to ream out anyone.
I'm not sure if the team needs the change, but it's just not in Doc.
Very good anti-Doc comparisons. Yet he's no O'Brien, Van Gundy, or Carlyle, either. They don't ream out players, but they do hold them accountable in a very clear and direct way.
That said, I really don't think KG is going home and putting the press on his woman anymore, denying the wing, etc. Getting older, I guess. And that's the difference: with Doc as coach, the players have to hold themselves and each other accountable, and I don't think they are now. KG, coming back from injury, isn't that force that can dominate practice and get on the other guys. PP really isn't that kind of guy, and Ray isn't that type of motivator, either. They are not focused on improving execution every game/practice. I remember how, in '08, after every blowout the players talked about how much they screwed up and needed to improve, like they wanted to play a perfect game. They came very close very often.
They can't just 'flip a switch' in the playoffs and do that, even if, in their mind, they think they can. It just doesn't work that way, not at 33-35. They may play with more urgency, but their quickness won't be any better. They are more likely to reach into the tank and find it only half full (or empty?) than find themselves suddenly near their prime again. They say they're waiting for the playoffs, but they're fooling themselves as much as us.
Topic: Ainge says problem is lack of effort from the starters (Boston Globe) (Read 7900 times)