Doc River's last season as head coach? (ESPN rumor page)

[nickagneta]

While I am sure this is news met in some corners of this blog with jubilation, I think if he does leave it will be something that will cause this team to take a step back. I feel Danny's hands are tied and for the most part a good portion of this team will return and that being set in their ways to how Doc operates, the next coach will have a rebellious crowd in the locker room. I just don't see this being a good thing unless Doc leaves when most of this core is gone, at which point some new can start with a whole new team.

[the_Bird]

I kinda feel like Doc's time has come and gone.  I *like* Doc as a coach, he's not outstanding but I think he's better than most and will likely have success when he coaches again.  

But, head coaches have a shelf life.  There's a specific reason Larry Legend stepped down after three seasons in Indiana; players start to tune you out.  Seems to me that Doc's having more and more trouble getting guys to exert themselvses on a consistent basis.  I blame the players for this - but it's a lot easier to bring in a new voice than to trade all the players.

What I *don't* want to happen, assuming the core of the team stays more-or-less intact, is for them to bring in a rookie head coach - Tom Thibs or anyone else.  Not sure this group would respond well to someone brand new and feeling their way into coaching.  Gotta be someone veteran, someone who'll preach defense, and someone that's respected but known for not being a pushover.  Obvious candidate would be Larry Brown, if he prys himself away from Charlotte, or maybe Jeff Van Gundy (I'm a Van Gundy fan, at least for Jeff).

EDIT: I should say, too, that I really like Doc.  When he says something like this:

"The one [thing] I will say is I'm committed to Boston," Rivers said. "It's either stay with the Celtics or I decide I need to stay more with the family."

...  I believe him.  If he steps down, I do believe he'll be a head coach again in due time.  He'll go back to broadcasting games on TNT, maybe on a part-time basis.  But, he's shown himself to be a pretty good coach over the years, those crappy young teams always played hard, and not every coach could have gotten everyone to buy in as fully to the ubuntu concepts two years' ago.  He's a good coach.

[MattG12]

I agree with you on everything except I would like Thibs as a coach. JVG would be my first choice though, and Larry Brown would be my second.

[shookones99]

While I am sure this is news met in some corners of this blog with jubilation, I think if he does leave it will be something that will cause this team to take a step back. I feel Danny's hands are tied and for the most part a good portion of this team will return and that being set in their ways to how Doc operates, the next coach will have a rebellious crowd in the locker room. I just don't see this being a good thing unless Doc leaves when most of this core is gone, at which point some new can start with a whole new team.

That's an interesting point.  I think the next coach would have to be a very different style than Doc's.  Someone who would come in and bring something completely fresh and new for this team (different offensive sets, working them harder in practice, etc.)

Bringing in another player's coach would be a mistake IMO.  With the level of success Doc has had in catering to different players needs, the subtle differences between the way he does things and the way the new coach does them could lead to some unhappy veterans.

I do think the players could respond to a coach who is the polar opposite of Doc.  A drill sergeant who will whip them into shape and keep them focused.  They may not like him as much, but it will lead to better results.

[wdleehi]

I agree with you on everything except I would like Thibs as a coach. JVG would be my first choice though, and Larry Brown would be my second.

Both those guys are strong enough coaches to take over the team.  


Newbie head coaches, not so sure.

[MBunge]

While I am sure this is news met in some corners of this blog with jubilation, I think if he does leave it will be something that will cause this team to take a step back.

Uh, how much further back could they go?  This team has won 50 games and is tied for third best road record in the league.  You really think Doc is what's keeping them from going 41-41 or worse?

It seems like some folks are trashing the Cs talent level when that isn't even close to being a problem.  I'm not saying this team doesn't have issues with age.  They might be too old to contend for a title, but that's not what has driven me and other fans up the wall.

The problem with this team has been a lack of focus and effort and a coach unwilling or unable to even try and do anything about it.  A new coach might be able to fix that, even if he can't make any of the players younger.

Mike

[shookones99]

I agree with you on everything except I would like Thibs as a coach.

Really?  Maybe it's just me but I've always felt (for some reason) that Thibs, while a fantastic coach, is somewhat socially inept. I really don't know why I think that...but I do.  And that's a pretty crucial quality as a head coach...especially of this team.

[hpantazo]

I agree with you on everything except I would like Thibs as a coach. JVG would be my first choice though, and Larry Brown would be my second.

I'd like to see Thibs coach, but if players on this team have tuned out Doc, then there is no way they will listen to Thibs. This group may need a new face.

[MattG12]

I agree with you on everything except I would like Thibs as a coach. JVG would be my first choice though, and Larry Brown would be my second.

I'd like to see Thibs coach, but if players on this team have tuned out Doc, then there is no way they will listen to Thibs. This group may need a new face.

I'd want Thibs to coach if they plan on blowing this group up and starting fresh with Rondo, Perk, Baby, and TA

[jdpapa3]

I'll have a better opinion on this after the season. I could see it going in a couple of different directions.

[shookones99]

Why do people keep mentioning Larry Brown?  He's done a great job this year in Charlotte.  Is he rumored to want out?

I'd love to have him here I just haven't heard anything about him leaving the Bobcats.

[wdleehi]

Why do people keep mentioning Larry Brown?  He's done a great job this year in Charlotte.  Is he rumored to want out?

I'd love to have him here I just haven't heard anything about him leaving the Bobcats.

When is Larry Brown not rumored to be wanting out? 

[shookones99]

Why do people keep mentioning Larry Brown?  He's done a great job this year in Charlotte.  Is he rumored to want out?

I'd love to have him here I just haven't heard anything about him leaving the Bobcats.

When is Larry Brown not rumored to be wanting out? 

hahaha   True that

[the_Bird]

I agree with you on everything except I would like Thibs as a coach. JVG would be my first choice though, and Larry Brown would be my second.

I'd like to see Thibs coach, but if players on this team have tuned out Doc, then there is no way they will listen to Thibs. This group may need a new face.

I'd want Thibs to coach if they plan on blowing this group up and starting fresh with Rondo, Perk, Baby, and TA

Thing is, though, they CAN'T blow up the team and rebuild around those guys, even if they wanted to.  KG's stuck here for at least another season until he's tradeable.  'Sheed, the same.  Even then, Danny won't trade either unless there's value coming back.  They won't let Pierce walk.  The core of the team is, in all likelihood, going to be the same.

Thing with Larry Brown; he'd squeeze the most out of these old farts for two more years, then he'll run out of patience and walk.  They'll TOTALLY rebuild in two seasons.

Think Charlotte would trade us Larry Brown for Rasheed Wallace?

[fairweatherfan]

Not a huge surprise, I like Doc but it's probably time for him to leave.  Next year and maybe the year after is probably going to be a "transition" (aka mediocre and depressing) season, and I think the same coach would greatly increase the apathy that tends to be seen in those type of years.