Doc River FIX the offense

[Celtics18]

We need a big body to set some picks so Ray Allen stops being a nonfactor... thus opening stuff up for the rest of team

Sounds like a job for

I wonder if that lady is standing up.... or sitting down? 

If she turns around she'll be eye to eye with "Shaq's Daddy."

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

I'm really surprised no one else is mentioning this but feel like a big reason for the crappy offense is Rondo's inability to make jumpshots, but more importantly, freethrows. It's the reason I see him hold back so many times from driving all to the rim even when he has an easy path and it's just one guy in his way. He as the physical tools to get wherever he wants but until that shot gets better, and he's the one handling the ball the most, the offense will sputter at times.

[Celtics18]

I'm really surprised no one else is mentioning this but feel like a big reason for the crappy offense is Rondo's inability to make jumpshots, but more importantly, freethrows. It's the reason I see him hold back so many times from driving all to the rim even when he has an easy path and it's just one guy in his way. He as the physical tools to get wherever he wants but until that shot gets better, and he's the one handling the ball the most, the offense will sputter at times.

Yeah, you're right, no one ever mentions Rondo's shooting woes.

[Spicoli]

Major problem with offense:

1. Teams are sending not one, but TWO guys at Ray when he curls off screens. Ray is not a good enough passer to make them pay for over committing.

2. BBD is slipping screens early and looking for his own shot. I saw numerous times in the game today when Davis would show like he was setting a pick, but quickly retreat to an open area of the floor so he could take a jumpshot.

3. Rondo is not breaking down the defense in any way, shape, form or fashion. In order to get your teammates open looks, the PG has to break down the defense, and dish. Teams are building a wall around the paint and daring Rondo to shoot. Sometimes he shoots, sometimes he holds the ball, but penetrate the defense he is not.

In a nutshell, teams have figured out how to stop the Celtics offense by sending two guys at Ray off screens, and sealing Rondo out of the paint. Doc has not adjusted to this strategy, and i'm not sure if he will.

[clover]

Major problem with offense:

1. Teams are sending not one, but TWO guys at Ray when he curls off screens. Ray is not a good enough passer to make them pay for over committing.

2. BBD is slipping screens early and looking for his own shot. I saw numerous times in the game today when Davis would show like he was setting a pick, but quickly retreat to an open area of the floor so he could take a jumpshot.

3. Rondo is not breaking down the defense in any way, shape, form or fashion. In order to get your teammates open looks, the PG has to break down the defense, and dish. Teams are building a wall around the paint and daring Rondo to shoot. Sometimes he shoots, sometimes he holds the ball, but penetrate the defense he is not.

In a nutshell, teams have figured out how to stop the Celtics offense by sending two guys at Ray off screens, and sealing Rondo out of the paint. Doc has not adjusted to this strategy, and i'm not sure if he will.

I think Doc's gonna want a break from coaching after this year.

[LB3533]

Major problem with offense:

1. Teams are sending not one, but TWO guys at Ray when he curls off screens. Ray is not a good enough passer to make them pay for over committing.

2. BBD is slipping screens early and looking for his own shot. I saw numerous times in the game today when Davis would show like he was setting a pick, but quickly retreat to an open area of the floor so he could take a jumpshot.

3. Rondo is not breaking down the defense in any way, shape, form or fashion. In order to get your teammates open looks, the PG has to break down the defense, and dish. Teams are building a wall around the paint and daring Rondo to shoot. Sometimes he shoots, sometimes he holds the ball, but penetrate the defense he is not.

In a nutshell, teams have figured out how to stop the Celtics offense by sending two guys at Ray off screens, and sealing Rondo out of the paint. Doc has not adjusted to this strategy, and i'm not sure if he will.

1. Encourage our "pick setting" C/PF to roll to the hoop, our initiating guard can lob a pass for a layup.

2. BBD isn't slipping picks early...defenders are going under the pick giving Rondo the shot. BBD is doing the right thing leaving earlier trying to find more separation from his own defender to get open so Rondo has an open man to pass the ball to.

3. This is all up to Rondo's head or health. If he is mentally in the game or if he is physically healthy enough...he should be able to dominate the rim just as well, if not better than D-Rose.

[YouGotRondo d]

Major problem with offense:

1. Teams are sending not one, but TWO guys at Ray when he curls off screens. Ray is not a good enough passer to make them pay for over committing.

2. BBD is slipping screens early and looking for his own shot. I saw numerous times in the game today when Davis would show like he was setting a pick, but quickly retreat to an open area of the floor so he could take a jumpshot.

3. Rondo is not breaking down the defense in any way, shape, form or fashion. In order to get your teammates open looks, the PG has to break down the defense, and dish. Teams are building a wall around the paint and daring Rondo to shoot. Sometimes he shoots, sometimes he holds the ball, but penetrate the defense he is not.

In a nutshell, teams have figured out how to stop the Celtics offense by sending two guys at Ray off screens, and sealing Rondo out of the paint. Doc has not adjusted to this strategy, and i'm not sure if he will.

I agree with all these points. I just want to add my two cents as well..

1. Rondo is playing way too tentatively with the ball in his hands. I know he enjoys deferring and getting teammates involved but sometimes he needs to look for his own offense. I don't know what is so bad about an elbow jumper, a teardrop, or getting to the rim. There aren't many guards that can stop him from doing this.

I noticed that against Rose and the Bulls, Rondo would get in the paint, get to rim, seemingly have an angle and inexplicably pass to someone guarded on the perimeter.

I couldn't find any footage on YouTube, but rest assured he did it about 5-10 times the other night. With a few more layups, who knows? This decisiveness brings defenders to the lane and opens things on the perimeter.

Which brings me to my next point:

2. This team needs Shaq, badly! These bigs are consistently getting fronted, and/or moved out of position. They are being outhustled and outphysicaled. Shaq is very adept at getting good post position so that he can turn straight to the rim. If he gets fronted, his wide frame allows for the over-the-top pass. How many times have we seen our bigs catch and have to make 2-3 dribbles only to put up an ugly fadeaway? With Shaq we see much more action at the rim, which is so important. This opens the lane for cutters, and the perimeter for kick outs.

So my two cents, with decisiveness and a scoring mentality from Rondo plus the presence of Shaq for, let's say 20 mins a game, (I know, a BIG if), this offense would look a lot different. Right now, all the action is on the perimeter and they are quite literally being moved farther away from the rim. We need to keep teams honest.

[Celtics Fan]

Doc should bring Wafer off the bench he was decent before he got hurt!

[SF Celtic]

Finally.  Someone directing the blame where it belongs.

These are the ppg stats of our bench before Doc Rivers got a hold of 'em and did nothing to harness their talent:

Jeff Green - 15.2 ppg
Delonte West - 11.7 ppg
Troy Murphy (at his best) - 14.6 ppg
Von Wafer (in his breakout Houston Year) - 9.7 ppg