Ok, so if you're the coach, what do you do?

[ScoobyDoo]

So, if you're the coach and you are looking at a team that:

1. Shows almost zero effort a good portion of every night
2. That is unwilling to box anyone out
3. starts off the 1st and 3rd periods horribly.
4. Has it's main "go to guy" on offense (Pierce) looking like he is struggling massively.
5. That lacks energy and fire in general.

Let's play coach/GM, I'd be interested to see the choices people would make. Here's my short list.

1. I think KG and Ray are actually ok. Ray looks great actually and KG seems to coming along, works hard every night. Pierce, on the other hand, looks awful, something is not right.

So, #1, I sit Pierce again for a minimum of 2 wks to get right. I need him healthy for the playoffs.

Meantime, while Pierce is out...

2. I start Perkins / KG / Finley / Ray and Rondo. Let Finley come up to speed.

3. I play Perkins 35+ minutes a night but tell him I'm only giving him those minutes if he focuses 100% on D and rebounding and let's the offense come garbage style, like he should. We need more D and rebounding from perkins, not less.

4. Here are the "big combos" I work with, my rotations.
I NEVER, EVER, EVER put Sheed and Baby on the floor together at the same time. EVER. That combo is not good on the boards or defensively, at all. My big man combos are:

Perkins with KG, Shelden or Baby
KG with Perkins, Shelden or Baby         
Rasheed with Shelden only. He and Perk are too slow, he and KG too old and he and Baby to lazy and bad on the boards. Rasheed's compliment is Shelden.

The Lion's share of minutes for the bigs are going to Perkins, KG and Sheldon. I want some real attitude, length and muscle on the boards.

For both Sheed and Baby, their minutes will depend on how physical they are willing to get under the boards. That will be the only criteria.

I want Rasheed at about 12-15 a night behind Perk only if he's willing to brawl under the boards. I want either Baby or Shelden behind KG

5. I'd basically go muscle up front and scoring on the wings.

While Pierce is out:

Perkins / KG / Finley / Ray / Rondo
Rasheed / Shelden / Quisy / Tony / Nate
Tough, fast compliment for Rasheed at Center

When Pierce gets back:
Perkins / KG / Pierce / Ray / Rondo
Rasheed / Shelden / Finley / Quisy or TA / Nate

I'd also, try rotations of:
Perkins / Shelden or Baby / Pierce / Finley / Nate
Perkins / KG / Pierce / Ray / Nate
Perkins / Baby / Pierce / Tallen / Rondo
 
I'd just try to put combos out there that are much longer, tougher and meaner on the boards and use my firepower with Pierce(when healthy), Finely, Ray and Nate for offense in the backcourt.

Rebounding is the number one concern to me though. I'd dole out minutes to all my bigs based solely on their efforts on the glass. I'd tell them straight up thats' the deal and there's the door if they don't like it.

I Want some real angry, physical guys on the glass at both ends of the court, that will solve many of our problems by itself.

Thoughts?

     

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xNSgBkum7o

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how does one insert a video? anyone?

[nyceltsfan]

I think the OP had some good ideas, but my main issue is that if you are going to sit Pierce, why not give Rondo someone to run with, like TA or Daniels in the starting lineup?  One of the reasons this team is failing to produce is the lack of speed and athleticism in the starting lineup and the team just cannot keep up with Rondo.  You want a group that can cause havoc on d and play fast break basketball.

[Mr October]

how does one insert a video? anyone?

Use the insert hyperlink button

[PosImpos]

I think the OP had some good ideas, but my main issue is that if you are going to sit Pierce, why not give Rondo someone to run with, like TA or Daniels in the starting lineup?  One of the reasons this team is failing to produce is the lack of speed and athleticism in the starting lineup and the team just cannot keep up with Rondo.  You want a group that can cause havoc on d and play fast break basketball.

The problem is that because Rondo and Perk can't shoot, the SF taking Pierce's place has to be able to shoot.  Otherwise, the team can't space the floor well enough to challenge the opposing defense.  Finley is the only reliable SF backup on the team who can shoot.

[lon3lytoaster]

If I was coaching this team, I'd be working my way down to the unemployment line.

[ScoobyDoo]

I could go with Daniles at the Wing over Finley as you mention and actually thought about that...mostly because of Finley's current age...

If Finley were younger though, I wouldn't consider Daniels or TA at Pierce's position in this situation because of the reason stated by Mr. October, I'd want a shooter at Pierce's position while he's out. Also helps Finley, in our current situation to really get up to speed fast.

But, more genrally, if you wanted, I'd go with Daniel's and try that out, I understand the thoughts for speed with Rondo.

However, with Daniels in there instead of Finley, I might sub in Nate quicker so I'd have both Ray and nate as outside threats...Daniels slashing...Finley coming in for Ray...

Rondo / Ray / Daniels
Nate / Tony / Finley

I'd try to keep two of Ray / Finley and Nate on the floor if possible, especially since I'm going more defense and rebound minded in the frontcourt to try and solve the rebounding issues, which is my number one concern.

[nyceltsfan]

I think the OP had some good ideas, but my main issue is that if you are going to sit Pierce, why not give Rondo someone to run with, like TA or Daniels in the starting lineup?  One of the reasons this team is failing to produce is the lack of speed and athleticism in the starting lineup and the team just cannot keep up with Rondo.  You want a group that can cause havoc on d and play fast break basketball.

The problem is that because Rondo and Perk can't shoot, the SF taking Pierce's place has to be able to shoot.  Otherwise, the team can't space the floor well enough to challenge the opposing defense.  Finley is the only reliable SF backup on the team who can shoot.

I don't know if I agree with you.  We still have Ray and KG on the floor.  KG has been relegated to being a spot up shooter and Ray is a good shooter.  The Yin and Yang on the 2008 team was teaming those guys with a slasher like Pierce.  I think putting Finley in the starting lineup is basically adding another Ray on the offensive end (albeit, not nearly as effective as Ray).  If anything has been proven over the last 3 months, it is the need for a change.  Make a change in the starting lineup that is going to shake things up.  If it works, keep things the way they are come playoff time.  Pierce will have to swallow his pride.  Besides, as Auerbach always said, its not who starts, but who finishes.

[ScoobyDoo]

But whether Daniels or Finley for Pierce, my main goal would be to get Pierce fully healthy. If that meant a few more losses in the short term, I'd take it.

because if Pierce is healthy and we resolve our reboundign issues, I'll tkae my chances against anyone, homecourt advantage or not...I still think we're that good. But not if we're dragging Pierce around all night...

[wiley]

You simplify.  That's what you do.

In this case you simplify by focusing exclusively on defense.  You have a team meeting and inform all the players that playing time will now be given to a combination of the best defensive players with those giving most defensive effort, and that substitutions will be more frequent to insure the greatest possible effort at all times.

The offense can go screw.  Let it go.  Give it to Rondo and/or Nate and let them do evertyhing.  But If neither of them is giving defensive effort, give the ball to Ty Lue until they get their act together.  Lack of defensive effort is from this day forth unacceptable, and you're coming off the floor the minute you slack, no matter what your name is.  

Play everyone shorter minutes at a time so that the effort remains high.  Forget this save a little for the end of the game crap... "cuz I'm soooo valuable at the end that I HAVE TO pace myself during this game."  That's over.  Screw the pacing.  Get rid of it.  Pacing oneself is for losers.  That's why you have a bench...

Give Sheldon minutes and tell him to rebound and defend and that's it.  Tell Perkins to forget about offense completely and just give it Rondo and Nate.  Let him rebound their misses and stuff it.  That should be Perk's offense.

Okay let's go Celts...

[ScoobyDoo]

TP mycletsfans, I didn't think of that, how Daniels ability to slash and get in the lane from the wing would give us alot of what Pierce brings us. It might be a better compliment.

Key thing is get Pierce rest, get him right. You could let

Perkins
KG
Marquis
Ray
Rondo

sub in with

Perkins
Shelden
Finley
TAllen
Nate
I like those combos

That might be better actually. I'd try that. I'd spot Perk with Rasheed or Baby but I still want Perk around 35+ a night.

I like that.
  

[Rashi]

If I were the coach this is what I would do:


1.) First sit each player down and explain them what their role is; and at the same time let them hear it on what they are struggling and what need to improve.

2.) Build onto the team chemistry. The on court chemistry is just not there and they need to work on it, which means practicing on days off.

3.) Show them some of their best 07/08 games where even if they were down double digit leads they never gave up. More than anything this team seems to lack confidence and they need to regain it.

4.) Let Nate run on pick and roll. He was doing so well when they had put in the Knicks offense plays, but in the past 2 games Nate has been struggling and its probably because he is trying to remember our sets.

5.) The coaching staff needs to get together and come up with new rotations and new plays. Everything we do has become so predictable and that is the reason we get into the scoring droughts.

[ScoobyDoo]

agree with most of that too Wiley, TP.

There is no reason with the depth we have for anyone to ever be gassed. WE should be able to go full out for 48 a night no problem. We should be a buzz saw, instead we look like swidd cheese.

Defense and rebounding.

[wiley]

Thanks Scooby Doo.

Another thing I might experiment with is playing Perkins the entire game (which goes against what I said but it would just be an exception made for him....let's say 45 minutes instead of the full 48.)

I think by doing this he could remember who he is and get back to being a warrior intead of a rubber duckie with a scowl.  Perkins is potentially our best defender and best rebounder.  He's 25 years old.  He has a mean meanstreak and is capable of intimidating players on the other team.  Let him loose under the team's new philosophy, work him to the bone (keep his offense shut down.....make him so tired he does nothing but kick out to others and then position for rebounds), and unleash the beast.  Some beasts perform best when they are sweating to death.  Let's see a guy work so hard we all start to worry, then watch him come out the other side with 17 rebounds, 4 stuffs off rebounds and 6 blocks.
If he can't do it....Do it with Sheldon instead.