Doc Has Got To Go!!!

[reggie35]

I think Doc might just leave on his own after this year. He can see the writing on the wall. This team is not getting much better at this point. Why sink with the ship?

Also, I don't understand how people can say that, on the one hand, the coach has little impact, and yet, on the other hand, replacing Doc now will cost the season. He's either important or he's not.

Last year, I wondered what if KG's knee had been treated right away? This year, the finger of blame is inching towards Doc. It was already pointing there pre-KG anyway.

[Chris]

Also, I don't understand how people can say that, on the one hand, the coach has little impact, and yet, on the other hand, replacing Doc now will cost the season. He's either important or he's not.

I agree, it doesn't make sense.  Personally, I don't think it would make much of a difference either way.  But I also think Doc has not even come close to deserving to be fired.

Ultimately, I put the lack of success this season on the players, just like I put the success of 2008 on the players. 

But I am realistic and realize that you need to judge the coaches performance some way, and really the only fair way to do it is by the teams record.  And they are nowhere near bad enough this season to warrant him being fired.

[Greenbean]

Coaches get fired when the talent is there and they are underperforming whether it is the coaches fault or not. You are stuck with a player under contract, not a coach. It is just the nature of the beast.

The question is does Danny think this team is underperforming? I think he does especially when he is constantly citing the fact that it is the mental aspect of the game that the Celts are lacking this year.

IF there were to be an ugly first round playoff exit, I would not be surprised to see Doc go, whether it is warranted or not.

[PLamb]

Coaches get fired when the talent is there and they are underperforming whether it is the coaches fault or not. You are stuck with a player under contract, not a coach. It is just the nature of the beast.

The question is does Danny think this team is underperforming? I think he does especially when he is constantly citing the fact that it is the mental aspect of the game that the Celts are lacking this year.

IF there were to be an ugly first round playoff exit, I would not be surprised to see Doc go, whether it is warranted or not.

I think you are right.

I think Danny definitely thinks this team is under performing

I also think he places the blame on the players and not the coaches

Now people can say his public comments on WEEI blaming the players are just GM speak and that he's lying, but Danny has publicly put the onus for the lack of performance squarely in the laps of the players and not the coaches

People didn't believe him regarding trading Ray and making just a small adjusting trade either, but he was a man of his public word then so I'm going to take him at his word now too

[xmuscularghandix]

you don't fire a coach when he's winning the division despite ALOT of injuries to main players. Especially when he's coaching a veteran team, if you fired Doc and brought someone in they might all just turn on him/you.

The Celtics aren't going to win 82 games, and they aren't going to win every year. Sometimes players don't show up on nights, and sometimes they'll lose games that they should have won.

Doc is excellent at drawing up plays out of time outs, and i have high hopes for this team in the post-Big-3-era of Celtic basketball WITH Doc Rivers. Him and Rondo have a good relationship. (so does him and KG, PP, Ray, Fin, and all the other veterans)

[ScoobyDoo]

To me, their record is less important than what I see happening on the floor. If they were losing games but you sensed and felt they were putting forth 100% effort and were bustin tail and paying attention to detail, the losses wouldn't be as frustrating. I see aprofound lack of effort, focus and attention to detail.

These are throwing around incredibly sloppy passes. Wouldn't you think after getting their butts handed to them o the boards for oh, 60 or so games, that they might box out once in a while? Rebounding is about effort.

It isn't very difficult and I don't care how athletic someone is, if you lay a body on them and jump slightly backwards when you go up for the board, the only way they're getting the rebound is by landing on your back. I'm 5'10 and I can box out a 6'4" with similar ability as me guy all day long.

And all these guys in the NBA have ability within the ball park of each other. When a shot goes up, these guys just turn around and look at the basket without regard for anyone around them.

I think Varejo took a rebound away form four Celtics who were standing there waiting for the ball to drop to them. It's called effort and wanting the ball.  

It's about effort.  

Most of the games they've lost aren't to a lack of talent, it'a alack of focus and effort.  We lost to the Nets. THE NETS. AT HOME.

I agree it's a player's league but I don't see how a coach can't be held accountable for the teams' focus and effort; it seems like that would be the primary job of any manager, whcih is what a coach is.

[Who]

I think Danny Ainge could do a very good job with this roster through the rest of the season. He knows all the players individual strengths + weaknesses and knows their collective strengths + weaknesses. He knows the team's plays + defensive philosophies + which lineups work and which do not. His players loved him when he was in Phoenix. He allowed them to play more uptempo basketball and they had fun out there on the court. And finally he knows the rest of the coaching staff. A lot of continuity while giving the team a shot in the arm.

I'm not convinced enough, it's not a certain enough, to call for Doc's head and to hire Danny as a replacement ... but there is a lot to like there.

I would need to be 100% certain to fire a coach who's been as successful as Doc has been here at this late stage in the season and I'm just not. I am intrigued by the idea though.

[PLamb]

I think Danny Ainge could do a very good job with this roster through the rest of the season. He knows all the players individual strengths + weaknesses and knows their collective strengths + weaknesses. He knows the team's plays + defensive philosophies + which lineups work and which do not. His players loved him when he was in Phoenix. He allowed them to play more uptempo basketball and they had fun out there on the court. And finally he knows the rest of the coaching staff. A lot of continuity while giving the team a shot in the arm.

I'm not convinced enough, it's not a certain enough, to call for Doc's head and to hire Danny as a replacement ... but there is a lot to like there.

I would need to be 100% certain to fire a coach who's been as successful as Doc has been here at this late stage in the season and I'm just not. I am intrigued by the idea though.

Danny Ainge also has heart problems and might not be able to coach

[Who]

I think Danny Ainge could do a very good job with this roster through the rest of the season. He knows all the players individual strengths + weaknesses and knows their collective strengths + weaknesses. He knows the team's plays + defensive philosophies + which lineups work and which do not. His players loved him when he was in Phoenix. He allowed them to play more uptempo basketball and they had fun out there on the court. And finally he knows the rest of the coaching staff. A lot of continuity while giving the team a shot in the arm.

I'm not convinced enough, it's not a certain enough, to call for Doc's head and to hire Danny as a replacement ... but there is a lot to like there.

I would need to be 100% certain to fire a coach who's been as successful as Doc has been here at this late stage in the season and I'm just not. I am intrigued by the idea though.

Danny Ainge also has heart problems and might not be able to coach

Good point

[FatjohnReturns]

Doc should finish the season win or lose. I would not bring him back next year if he cant win it all with this lineup.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Doc- A coach who has won a championship a couple of years ago and follows it up with a semi-final exit during the playoffs. I don't think the management is going to fire him anytime soo.

But I agree, his rotations are baffling at times.

He's been handed 2 new players and has 0 practice days in March.

This thread should be locked and all who support the OP should be banished forever.

This thread wreaks of what Simmons was saying from 2003-2005 - blame the GM/Coach....then Ainge's plan comes to fruition and Simmons is riding in the glory. Pathetic.

Last time I checked losing on the road by 2 to a playoff-bound team doesn't indicate "failure".

[Greenbean]

I think Danny Ainge could do a very good job with this roster through the rest of the season. He knows all the players individual strengths + weaknesses and knows their collective strengths + weaknesses. He knows the team's plays + defensive philosophies + which lineups work and which do not. His players loved him when he was in Phoenix. He allowed them to play more uptempo basketball and they had fun out there on the court. And finally he knows the rest of the coaching staff. A lot of continuity while giving the team a shot in the arm.

I'm not convinced enough, it's not a certain enough, to call for Doc's head and to hire Danny as a replacement ... but there is a lot to like there.

I would need to be 100% certain to fire a coach who's been as successful as Doc has been here at this late stage in the season and I'm just not. I am intrigued by the idea though.

I love Danny Ainge as a coach and have wanted that ever since he was hired as GM. Unfortunately I just think he is not interested in coaching. I also think he sees eye to eye with Doc on alot of his priciples which is why he has stuck by Doc's side thru alot.

[angryguy77]

Doc- A coach who has won a championship a couple of years ago and follows it up with a semi-final exit during the playoffs. I don't think the management is going to fire him anytime soo.

But I agree, his rotations are baffling at times.

He's been handed 2 new players and has 0 practice days in March.

This thread should be locked and all who support the OP should be banished forever.

This thread wreaks of what Simmons was saying from 2003-2005 - blame the GM/Coach....then Ainge's plan comes to fruition and Simmons is riding in the glory. Pathetic.

Last time I checked losing on the road by 2 to a playoff-bound team doesn't indicate "failure".

Losing to a team that isn't a contender is a failure, playoff bound or not. How many HOF do the Bucks have again? There is no reason fpr this team to lose to a team that has to pay its fans to come to the game and cheer.

[PosImpos]

Doc- A coach who has won a championship a couple of years ago and follows it up with a semi-final exit during the playoffs. I don't think the management is going to fire him anytime soo.

But I agree, his rotations are baffling at times.

He's been handed 2 new players and has 0 practice days in March.

This thread should be locked and all who support the OP should be banished forever.

This thread wreaks of what Simmons was saying from 2003-2005 - blame the GM/Coach....then Ainge's plan comes to fruition and Simmons is riding in the glory. Pathetic.

Last time I checked losing on the road by 2 to a playoff-bound team doesn't indicate "failure".

Losing to a team that isn't a contender is a failure, playoff bound or not. How many HOF do the Bucks have again? There is no reason fpr this team to lose to a team that has to pay its fans to come to the game and cheer.

Wildly underestimating the Bucks.

The Bucks have a top 5 center in the league, a ROY candidate at point guard, and a slew of effective role players who can shoot pretty well and are all very solid defensively.  They match up very well with the Celtics.

In the second half of the season, the Bucks have been not much worse than the Hawks - the team that swept us 4-0 this season.

[angryguy77]

Doc- A coach who has won a championship a couple of years ago and follows it up with a semi-final exit during the playoffs. I don't think the management is going to fire him anytime soo.

But I agree, his rotations are baffling at times.

He's been handed 2 new players and has 0 practice days in March.

This thread should be locked and all who support the OP should be banished forever.

This thread wreaks of what Simmons was saying from 2003-2005 - blame the GM/Coach....then Ainge's plan comes to fruition and Simmons is riding in the glory. Pathetic.

Last time I checked losing on the road by 2 to a playoff-bound team doesn't indicate "failure".

Losing to a team that isn't a contender is a failure, playoff bound or not. How many HOF do the Bucks have again? There is no reason fpr this team to lose to a team that has to pay its fans to come to the game and cheer.

Wildly underestimating the Bucks.

The Bucks have a top 5 center in the league, a ROY candidate at point guard, and a slew of effective role players who can shoot pretty well and are all very solid defensively.  They match up very well with the Celtics.

In the second half of the season, the Bucks have been not much worse than the Hawks - the team that swept us 4-0 this season.

The bucks have a good team, I don't disagree with that. But they are not anywhere near an elite team yet. I know good teams will lose to lesser ones on any given night. But losing to this kind of team has happened a few too many times this year. Had they not dropped so many of these, they would in the race for the number one seed.