The booing and early crowd disappearance really bothered the team

[PLamb]

In the post game presser Paul and KG are discussing a heart to heart full team meeting with coaches that they had today to discuss a lot of what's been happening

BOTH said that the thing that "really sat with me that night" was being booed in their own building and seeing people get up and walk out on them so early

I hope they remember that the rest of the year or maybe Doc should play the video and audio from the end of the second quarter the other night and then that of the crowd around the 7-9 minute mark of the fourth

[PLamb]

Also, I guess Doc said there might be more practices and both players said they weren't keen on that but(as per KG) "this is the Doc Rivers show and we're just along" for the ride or something like that

Sorry KG, he's right

You need practice time

[Greenbean]

Thanks PLamb. Good stuff. TP.

I like everything you wrote that they said and take the KG comment as his typical humor. Or did it sound more negative?

[PLamb]

Doc is explaining it now

He's decided the C's have to get KG and Paul in top shape not only regarding their injuries but also in their conditioning

So the C's are going to do more between games to get KG and Pierce in top shape in their conditioning between games even if that means they have to sit some more during games or miss games

The team needs them in top health AND conditioning and that's going to mean more work between games

He said Paul and KG wasn't too happy with that news but it is what it is

So KG's remark about it being the Doc Rivers show and that they are just "guests", that's the way he said it, wasn't completely humorous and sounded a bit like complaining a bit but you couldn't see his face because he was looking down at the time

[barefacedmonk]

Practice only helps. I wish Doc would have come to this decision a couple of weeks earlier...but better late than never. KG and Paul can complain all they want....I'm with Doc on this one. We had become too lazy and out of sync.

[Rashi]

I am glad the booing bothered the team, because the fans really care about the team and don't want them giving up in between a game if they are down by double digits.

And Doc is right...they need to practice and if we need to sit Pierce/KG out...then let it be. A good winning record isn't going to help us in the post season, but a healthy KG/Pierce surely will.


TP for Plamb and kudos to Doc and the team.

[ScoobyDoo]

and making $18 and $20 Million dollar salaries they are complaining about.....? Having to work more between games...? To be in better shape so they can....play better... and they're complaining about....?

Tell both of them to shut their pie holes and make sure they're at work at 6am every day for the rest of the season for that $18 Mil a year. I don't think that's too much to ask, do you?

Show up and perform...at a very high level with everything you have...every night....for that multi million dolalr salary.

That's the LEAST they can do.

[ManUp]

They were complaining about possibly missing games, not more practice.

[Rashi]

<sup>The Celtics are aware of their struggles as of late, but Boston coach Doc Rivers attempted to further motivate his players on Friday morning.

Rivers read the team an article that pointed out their inconsistency, lack of urgency and said that they wouldn't return to the NBA Finals if they kept playing as they are currently.

The coach told the media prior to the game that many of the Celtics thought the piece was written by a Boston publication, because many had made similar comments about themselves.

When Rivers revealed that the piece had been written by the L.A. Times and featured quotes from Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, the players laughed.

"We've said all those things," Rivers said.

"I hope we play [the Lakers] again," he said, hinting of the NBA Finals. "That would be great, but both of us need to get there first."

Rivers added that he didn't feel the Celtics needed "a personnel change," but rather their current group simply needed to start playing better.</sup>





Ok I just came across this, and hats off to Doc for sharing that LA Article with the team. Seeing their rivals count them out will surely lit a fire under these guys.

[Tai]

I see, so he's finally come to the conclusion to have them practice more.

If Doc had just done this at the beginning of the season instead of having less practices (if anyone remembers this being said), then who knows, maybe this team wins 70+ games, after all. Heck, maybe at least 1st in the East. Fine.

To me, this proves that maybe the Celtics were "lazy and bored" and not just making excuses when they said they were, if Pierce and KG are mad that they're talking about practice. I mean, did Allen Iverson suddenly walk in?

[illantari]

Practice?  We talking about practice?

[PLamb]

They were complaining about possibly missing games, not more practice.

No he was talking about practice

The question was

"Before the game Doc was saying that he thinks you guys need to practice more and that you haven't practiced enough this year and that you guys, you two in particular maybe maybe need to practice, if he needs to sit you out of games even just need to practice more and you will. How do feel about that?"

KG: "I'm not really feeling thatidea but hey, this is the Doc River's show and we're just hosts...ahh, I mean we're just guests on it. Ah ha!! So whatever he feels is best. Umm Paul and I, I think I speak for both of us, we don't really feel that but practice does make things better. You get to clean up a lot of different things. We're not ones to like to miss games but, he threw that idea at us. We'll see."

[Andy Jick]

if the team takes hold of the notion that the playoffs started TONIGHT against the pacers, and they finally "flipped that switch" to on, then i'll feel better about the world.

emotion will only carry them so far...their actions are going to have to support their words.  tonight will either be a launching pad for the rest of the season, or just a momentary high.  time will tell...

but i applaud Doc for standing up to this team of veterans and grabbing the reins once again.  for all the bashing he takes, his comments regarding the need for more practice time show the importance of his leadership...

[manl_lui]

its all mental, i agree Booing the team is because and maybe some people were p---ed paying for a game seeing us lose by 20...

but hey its all mental, the booing should be a wake up call telling them its time to wake up and play better like theyre capable of

[barefacedmonk]

I just read the article and I think we might have misunderstood what Doc, KG and Paul had to say. It seems Doc wants to get the starters, KG and Paul specifically, to practice more so that their conditioning and form is good going into the playoffs.

Doc's quote:

“We have to have them playing at their peak (when the playoffs start). Whatever we have to do that, we have to do it. If that means working them more in practices and maybe them missing games - whatever it takes, that’s what we have to do and that’s what we’re going to do.”

....while KG and Paul think that missing games is not the best idea but they will go along with the coach nevertheless.

KG's quote on the subject:

I’m not really feeling that idea, but hey, this is the ‘Doc Rivers Show,’ and we’re just guests on it, so whatever he feels is best. Paul and I, I think I speak for both of us, we don’t really feel that

...and Paul's take on the subject:

I really don’t agree with missing games. I’m a rhythm player. I like to get it while I’m playing games. If that means sitting out practice, then so be it, but I want to be out there in games

So, KG and Paul are not complaining about more practice. Its the 'miss some games' part that they don't agree with.

Rivers wasn’t surprised that Garnett and Pierce didn’t welcome the news, but he said the former had it right when he said it’s the “Doc Rivers Show.”

“I don’t think you ever agree with wanting to sit down,” Rivers said.

“I agree with that, but he’s right about that last part on that one because the bottom line is we have to get them perfect, into peak performance and that means timing, rest and rhythm and health.”

I'm divided on this....I can see how more practice will help but I'm not sure missing games is the best idea now that we are just a month away from the playoffs.