I blame Doc for this one

[droopdog7]

Rather than play his normal rotation, he puts in the scrubs very early, essentially signaling to the starters that their night was done.  Instead of having his sights on the game in front of him, he succumbs to the next two games instead.

I know many of you will only blame the players because after all, they play the game.  But doc disrespected the game tonight and sent the wrong message.

[Kiorrik]

Rather than play his normal rotation, he puts in the scrubs very early, essentially signaling to the starters that their night was done.  Instead of having his sights on the game in front of him, he succumbs to the next two games instead.

I know many of you will only blame the players because after all, they play the game.  But doc disrespected the game tonight and sent the wrong message.

So you're blaming a coach, and not the starters, where it's clear that a VERY experienced core acts like a bunch of bored kids?

Disagree.

If anything, it's a 50/50 split between the two groups.

[slamtheking]

Rather than play his normal rotation, he puts in the scrubs very early, essentially signaling to the starters that their night was done.  Instead of having his sights on the game in front of him, he succumbs to the next two games instead.

I know many of you will only blame the players because after all, they play the game.  But doc disrespected the game tonight and sent the wrong message.

So you're blaming a coach, and not the starters, where it's clear that a VERY experienced core acts like a bunch of bored kids?

Disagree.

If anything, it's a 50/50 split between the two groups.

This.

It's partly on Doc for not getting the right players on the court to put this game away -- and it wasn't the starters.  The rotations weren't the problem.  The problem was the starters didn't play with any effort.

[thestackshow]

I blame Doc also, he should have put on a jersey and went out there and played the game himself but he didnt.

[CelticSooner]

Showing up for less than a quarter thinking they are just going to win. You're better off resting the starters the full game. C's don't have anything locked up right now they have no business taking games off.

[European NBA fan]

Rather than play his normal rotation, he puts in the scrubs very early, essentially signaling to the starters that their night was done.  Instead of having his sights on the game in front of him, he succumbs to the next two games instead.

I know many of you will only blame the players because after all, they play the game.  But doc disrespected the game tonight and sent the wrong message.

I agree. Obviously it is also on the players for not giving a 100 percent effort, but Doc has to coach, too. He can't just mess with the rotations at this point.

Edit: Doc thinks so too, according to Paul Flannery:

Doc says he may have messed up the starters rhythm in the first half, then adds, "You guys like that? We'll go with that."

[Rtpas11]

Doc definitely has to take blame for this one. He really killed the rhythm of the starters & it trickled. We'll do better next game.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

No, we came out playing like garbage! We just continued it with the bad rotations! Actually, I thought that second quarter Doc should have left the bench in because they had it under control up 11... I mean he had already messed with rotations, why not stick with what was working b/c the starters didn't look good from go! This is not on Doc unless he messed with rotations before the game and didn't use our starters b/c I knew we were in for a long night the way we came out with NO energy after a day off!

[SHAQATTACK]

The whole deal sucked from Doc on down.

I knew they were going to lose this.  Pierce is Sooooooooooooo freakin predictable.  He plays hard when he wants and coasts quite intentionally when he wants.

Pierce was gearing up for a big of night of standing around and doing nothing....its almost funny.....he plays when he is good and ready ...whether any of us like it or not....

[ManchesterCelticsFan]

It's Friday... the 13th... 1st game of a Back-To-Back-To-Back. The C's were obviously conserving their energy for the next two days/games. No need to get motivated to play the 'Raptors'. The Dinosaurs should just hand them the win. After all, they suck and have potential lottery chance increase motivation. Pierce and/or the rest of the C's just tried hard at the end when they needed to... it was just too late. Chill... it's Friday, after all. We all know Pierce likes to Par-tayyy

[Senninsage]

I also think Doc deserves the blame for this loss. This game could have been won, but he messed with the rotations, and that clearly sent a signal of sorts that the team could relax. I blame Doc.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I also think Doc deserves the blame for this loss. This game could have been won, but he messed with the rotations, and that clearly sent a signal of sorts that the team could relax. I blame Doc.

Again, unless he didn't play the regular starters it wasn't his fault... they came out looking like they didn't care and played like it!

[OsirusCeltics]

Honestly, I blame the tired legs of the players

[colincb]

Doc screwed with the rotations and obviously didn't get through to them until it was too late.  Rondo is the coach on the floor and he was too cool by half as usual during these crapfests. KG gets no blame from me because I never seen him not putting out effort.

Losing to an NDBL team puts us in a very bad place as far as home court advantage.  The last 5 minutes just p---ed me off beyond belief.

Kudos to the Raptors for playing hard.

[chambers]

I know many of you will only blame the players because after all, they play the game.  But doc disrespected the game tonight and sent the wrong message.

Completely disagree.
He wanted to give the starters a rest and as much rest as possible. Toronto shot the lights out and kept themselves in the game. He would have sat them for longer but Toronto just kept hitting jumpshots and threes.
The Celtics defensive intensity was very low until 7 minutes remaining in the fourth.

He definitely didn't disrespect the game- it's basic coaching strategy to want to rest your key guys, who in our case are older guys. He also gets to run his playoff bench guys in valuable minutes against a poorer team to give them game practice.
They play three games in three nights, rest is crucial.