Your the coach, what are your adjustments?

[ScoobyDoo]

C'mon now Meadow, don't be stingy. Actually, I'm giving YOU a TP because if the Celts were as stingy on D in the second half as you are with your TP's, we'd be up 1-0!!!!!

[FatjohnReturns]

I know its a shot in the dark but I was thinking today

What about a lineup assignment of


Perk/Baby on Shaq
Pierce on Anderson V
TA /Marquis on LeQueen
Ray on Parker
Rondo on Mo


I think part of Pauls struggle last game was he had to work his butt off to defend Lebron,  kind of like what we did to Dwade,  made him run on D so he was drained on the offensive side.  So putting him on Sideshow Bob  would make it a little easier,  their height isnt THAT different.  LeQueen is going to score his points regardless of who is on him,  so why not let Pierce have an easier assignment  to give him the energy to play offense

Your right Pierce was working too hard to defend Lebron. The answer is not to sit KG though. What I would try is having KG defend Lebron and Pierce defend Antwan Jamsion. Really your only switching the PF and SF assignments It couldnt be worse than what Pierce gave Lebron in game 1. Doc should give it a try first five minutes of game two and see what happens. It would probably juice KG bigtime.

[KG Fan]

I know its a shot in the dark but I was thinking today

What about a lineup assignment of


Perk/Baby on Shaq
Pierce on Anderson V
TA /Marquis on LeQueen
Ray on Parker
Rondo on Mo


I think part of Pauls struggle last game was he had to work his butt off to defend Lebron,  kind of like what we did to Dwade,  made him run on D so he was drained on the offensive side.  So putting him on Sideshow Bob  would make it a little easier,  their height isnt THAT different.  LeQueen is going to score his points regardless of who is on him,  so why not let Pierce have an easier assignment  to give him the energy to play offense

Definitely creative thinking.  The problem I'd have with this is..especially when Baby is on the floor, who will be rebounding? I would feel much more comfortable having the two bigs in KP and KG in.  I think switching Ray onto James when Pierce is tired will have to do, or Cleveland will be running circles around us grabbing rebounds..

[openairmovie]

see the problem though with those switches  , including mine   is:

If we are sticking Ray or KG on Lebron we are wearing THEM out  and will get little from them production wise, so we are kind of stuck back in that same rut.   Rasheed really screws this whole thing up to be honest because if he was a realiable rebounder I would say stick him in there to get Sideshow Bob  but its not that easy now.   Your points about the rebounding are true...wish I had the answer to that, but if I did I guess I'd be coaching the Grizzlies or something.  I guess my only hope would be that Rondo gets his rebounds  like he usually does, and Pierce/ Perk  would be able to get a fair share  as PF / C

Our realistic issues with each player are

Perk has hands of stone and is pretty slow- Bad matchups are Anderson,  and Z

BBD is undersized - Doesnt matchup with anyone except for Shaq in SOME situations

KG is not as versatile as he was in 08...cant expect him to be chasing younger guys around like Jamison,  KG should be guarding Z primarily when he is on the floor  and off the floor when Anderson is on

Rasheed-  Slow, Cant shoot inside, cant shoot outside, cant rebound, cant box out, cant jump, cant make a good mix drink, cant wipe the dishes, cant put the toilet seat down-  Bad matchups- My 6 year old niece, My pet tortoise Shelley, Barack Obama, Mother Theresa

[Rtpas11]

I'll start Marquis over Pierce
Starters:
Rondo
Ray Allen
Marquis
K.G.
Perkins

Bench:
Tony
Finely
Pierce
Davis
Rasheed

I'll demand Rondo put the pedal to the metal @ the start of the 3rd period (which is our most crucial period)
I'll also start the starters in the 4th period. I think Doc waits way too long to insert K.G. and Perk in the 4th.

[Beat LA]

I was ticked that they blew it in game 1 - that was our best chance to steal a game in the series.  However, I thought we were going to be humiliated, so I was pleasantly surprised in the first half - although I think the halftime lead had alot more to do with LeBron's lack of aggression than anything else (elbow?).  

On the bright side, KG looked better than he has all year (whether or not that is because of the long layoff, I don't know) and destroyed Jamison, which is the matchup that I wanted the Celtics to attack.  

Moving forward, I think the Celtics need to recognize that for the second series in a row, the Cavs have placed Anthony Parker on the opposition's point guard, which may or may not have helped them in the second half on Saturday.  If Parker continues to guard Rondo, then Rondo needs to either blow by him or recognize the size mismatch that Ray has with Mo Williams and get him the ball in the post more (that way, we can get Ray going fairly easily and force Cleveland either to double or put Parker back on Allen and Williams back on Rondo, which we can then exploit as we did in the first half of game 1).  
 
My adjustments for Game 2 are as follows:

-  Follow the game plan from game one for 48 minutes, it was working beautifully in the first half.
-  Keep attacking the KG/Jamison matchup inside and run your offense through Garnett (they have no one who can defend him).
-  Attack LeBron for 48 minutes and try to get him into foul trouble (charges, the move where Pierce swings his arms under James' and gets to the line, and let him block a layup in the beginning of the game, then show him the ball/throw an upfake/headfake when he's behind or in front of you, and draw the foul) and also force him to expend alot of energy on defense by making him guard Pierce/Rondo/KG one on one, or by making him and his wide body chase Ray off screens for the whole game (he has trouble negotiating screens because of his size) - thus hopefully wearing himself out in the process (it's worth a shot, right?).  If this is coupled with shutting his teammates down and making him score every point just to keep the Cavs in the game, we'll be fine.  BTW, I know he won't foul out, but he can't hurt you from the bench.
-  No second chance points and keep Varejao off the boards.
-  Pour some sludge in the Cleveland gas tank early with a half-court trap or something to throw them off balance and give us a nice lead in the first stanza.
-  Relentlessly attack the basket in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter (in addition to constantly going strong to the hoop for the other 44 minutes of the game) and get them in the penalty early.  
-  Everyone who plays has to play well and give it their all.  I know it's a pipe dream with Sheed, but at least he played inside offensively - his shots just rolled out.
-  Pierce (in addition to everyone else) needs to stay in attack mode, get to the line as much as he can, and use his stellar midrange game more than the three point shot.
-  Rondo has to be Rondo (hopefully he'll get some help from Nate so that he won't wear himself out) and have another game 1 performance (loved the 14 free throw attempts).
-  Don't turn the ball over.
-  Run in the latter stages of the ball game.
-  Finally, if we are fortunate to have a lead after two quarters like the other night, give the players Adderall at halftime to ensure their focus for the second half.  

[Change]

I was ticked that they blew it in game 1 - that was our best chance to steal a game in the series.  However, I thought we were going to be humiliated, so I was pleasantly surprised in the first half - although I think the halftime lead had alot more to do with LeBron's lack of aggression than anything else (elbow?).  

On the bright side, KG looked better than he has all year (whether or not that is because of the long layoff, I don't know) and destroyed Jamison, which is the matchup that I wanted the Celtics to attack.  

Moving forward, I think the Celtics need to recognize that for the second series in a row, the Cavs have placed Anthony Parker on the opposition's point guard, which may or may not have helped them in the second half on Saturday.  If Parker continues to guard Rondo, then Rondo needs to either blow by him or recognize the size mismatch that Ray has with Mo Williams and get him the ball in the post more (that way, we can get Ray going fairly easily and force Cleveland either to double or put Parker back on Allen and Williams back on Rondo, which we can then exploit as we did in the first half of game 1).  
 
My adjustments for Game 2 are as follows:

-  Follow the game plan from game one for 48 minutes, it was working beautifully in the first half.
-  Keep attacking the KG/Jamison matchup inside and run your offense through Garnett (they have no one who can defend him).
-  Attack LeBron for 48 minutes and try to get him into foul trouble (charges, the move where Pierce swings his arms under James' and gets to the line, and let him block a layup in the beginning of the game, then show him the ball/throw an upfake/headfake when he's behind or in front of you, and draw the foul) and also force him to expend alot of energy on defense by making him guard Pierce/Rondo/KG one on one, or by making him and his wide body chase Ray off screens for the whole game (he has trouble negotiating screens because of his size) - thus hopefully wearing himself out in the process (it's worth a shot, right?).  If this is coupled with shutting his teammates down and making him score every point just to keep the Cavs in the game, we'll be fine.  BTW, I know he won't foul out, but he can't hurt you from the bench.
-  No second chance points and keep Varejao off the boards.
-  Pour some sludge in the Cleveland gas tank early with a half-court trap or something to throw them off balance and give us a nice lead in the first stanza.
-  Relentlessly attack the basket in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter and get them in the penalty early.  
-  Nate, Marquis (if either one of them plays),  and Sheed have to play well.  I know it's a pipe dream with Sheed, but at least he played inside offensively - his shots just rolled out.
-  Don't turn the ball over.
-  Run in the latter stages of the ball game.
-  Finally, if we are fortunate to have a lead after two quarters like the other night, give the players Adderall at halftime to ensure their focus for the second half.  

Nice breakdown, TP. Emphasis on Playing a complete game for 48minutes. Doc's game plan worked beautifully, no sense in changing it. The problem occurs when players start to deviate from the game-plan.

[D Dub]

make sure rondo stays aggressive in the 4th quarter.

with consistent play, this series can be won.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm sure that most of you all saw that 10 sec video from the game - where KG blew by Sideshow for the Slam?

I watched it several times..I noticed that Sheed was out near Three-Land - with Big Z near him, afraid to help out Sideshow on D.

As much as Sheed's numbers may have said otherwise this playoffs - the Man is a Decoy.

Apparently Mike Brown and CLE still consider Sheed to be a threat, even though some of us don't.

Every time Coach Brown puts in Sideshow and Z, Doc should put in Sheed and ensure that KG is in. KG will (and Should) abuse Sideshow or Z - whoever Coach B is crazy enough to put on him.

And if Sheed does (Hope ) get going down low, then move KG out on the perimeter, switch it up.

With this series, it's a Chess game. I like Doc Rivers and our pieces.

[FallGuy]

From Monday's Herald:

Doc Rivers likes the sound of a liberal-hacking policy. And the coach is not just talking about the time-proven, hack-a-Shaq tactic.

“Honestly, LeBron (James), Mo Williams, all of them,” he said. “They got layups last night and stood. We got layups last night and were on the floor.”

Thank God.

[gar]

"While Rivers appears reluctant to utilize Shelden Williams as part of a shortened bench postseason rotation, he did utilize Marquis Daniels for a brief period Saturday, and absolutely must consider Williams' energy and rebounding potential given Wallace's inability to hang with Cleveland's mobile bench bigs."

C. Fosberg ESPN

Do you think Doc will finally do it. I doubt it. Why is it always too little too late with Doc. This has been glaringly obvious for months.

[nickagneta]

1.) Have the bigs do a quick blitz on the high post pick and roll that is setting up Mo Williams for open outside shot. The bigs were sticking with their man and it was on Rondo to fight through the screens and close the separation the pick was causing to get to Williams in time. C's need better execution on this play.

2.) Run that 1-3 screen and switch on the offensive end more often that results in Pierce getting matched up with Mo Williams at the foul line extended. Pierce should be able to drop that 15-17 foot jumper over Williams or drive on him all night long.

3.) Do not under any circumstances take the ball out of Rondo's hands and go to a Ray-centric or Pierce-centric offense. These guys just aren't nearly as effective at making their own shot any more as Rondo is at setting them up for their shot. It might tick Ray and Paul off that they might not be getting the ball as often as they want, but at this point, this team should be Rondo's to run and they should trust his judgment.

4.) Keep at least one of the Big Three and one other starter on the court at all times. The Rondo and the bench or Rondo and Perk and the bench or Ray or Paul and the bench lineups stink. They are inept offensively and cause huge scoring droughts. I like

Rondo, Pierce, Baby, Rasheed, Tony.
Ray, Tony, Pierce, Baby, Rasheed
Rondo, Tony, Marquis, KG, Baby
Tony, Ray, Marquis, KG, Baby

Stuff like that. Stop with the wholesale changes in the late 1st/early 2nd and late 3rd/early 4th. They are awful.

5.) Make the players understand that they can't let the refs dictate the game to them. Come out aggressive. Come out physical. Come out smart. And stay that way. Let Doc worry about how many fouls you have. PLAY YOUR GAME NO MATTER WHAT AND KEEP PLAYING IT!!!!

6.) Set up more double low post screens to run Ray off of to free him up for open jumpers and keep him involved in this manner all game. He's been the team's best weapon since the playoffs started and MUST continue to be since the Cavs have no answer for him at that position.

7.) Post up Jamison with KG or Rasheed at will.

[FatjohnReturns]

"4.) Keep at least one of the Big Three and one other starter on the court at all times. The Rondo and the bench or Rondo and Perk and the bench or Ray or Paul and the bench lineups stink. They are inept offensively and cause huge scoring droughts. I like

Rondo, Pierce, Baby, Rasheed, Tony.
Ray, Tony, Pierce, Baby, Rasheed
Rondo, Tony, Marquis, KG, Baby
Tony, Ray, Marquis, KG, Baby"


Your absolutely right. Too bad Doc didnt realize this in November. These linups havnt played much together and now you cant expect to throw them out there and have good results vs a experienced team like Cleveland.

[Greenbean]

They cannot defend the point guard position. Rondo needs to continue to be aggressive for 48 minutes. I thin he has it in him.

Defense is fine. Rebounding could get alittle better.

Post Granett more often. STAY OUT OF FOUL TROUBLE.

Nate Robinson needs to play. This is his series. Remember when we inserted Eddie into the rotation in the playoffs in 08 the effect it had on our energy. Nate could bring the same thing. The guy is chomping at the bit. I think we should play any guy who is as hungry as he is.

[EJPLAYA]

I think Marquis needs to be the one coming off the bench to defend Lebron. If you noticed him on him later in game 1 he stopped him going to the rim. He did that a lot in their earlier games as well. The difference is that he plays defense on him with his legs wide and low center of gravity only attempting to cut off his drive. TA on the other hand, who overall is a better defender, tries to use his athleticism to run with Lebron. This can't be done by anyone in the NBA, let alone a guy 50+ lbs lighter and 3-4 inches shorter.

I also think if we want Sheed to be effective, he has got to play more than 10-11 minutes. BBD is not going to have the same series against the much bigger Cavs that he had against the Heat. It was the right move to give BBD more minutes against them, but if Sheed doesn't see 25 minutes a game he isn't going to have a chance to produce. Have Doc, KG, PP go to Sheed and tell him they need him to come up big in game 2 for them to have a shot. He responds to that. Look what he did with KG out. He had some of his best games. We could argue he shouldn't need that motivation, but it works.