Doc Had a Rough Game 5

[mctyson]

I gave him credit for his job in Game 2, so I have to hit him here.

First, the obvious:  Pierce was killing our defense in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, when Atlanta took over the game, and his insertion back into the game in the 4th quarter lead to ATL going up 7.  We win on defense, Doc knows this, and Pierce simply was a step too slow.  I know it is hard to sit your best scorer in a tight game in the 4th quarter, but you have to find away around that.

Second:  the rotation was totally f'd.  We saw more Ryan Hollins in a critical elimination game than we did all season. (For the record I thought Hollins gave great energy, actually rebounded well, particularly on offense, so I am not knocking him, but he is a walking turnover when he touches the ball).  We had a Dooling sighting in the first half then nothing.  Avery Bradley was non-existent.  Sasha and Quise didn't get off the bench.  Stiemer played about 3 minutes in the first half.  Bass started, was playing his best game of the series, then was benched for a majority of the second half it seemed, but then was back in for crunch time, then wasn't.  Pietrus was used far too little for a guy who is our best player off the bench, after Ray.

Third:  the 3rd.  That quarter was probably the worst I have seen, execution wise, from the C's this series.  The Hawks got everything they wanted on offense, and a lot of it at the basket.  I could live with the 3-pt barrage in the 2nd quarter (except for the poor rotations) that ATL had.  I can't live with wide open layups for Horford after off-the-ball screens.  Doc had an opportunity to stem this by inserting his best defensive unit in the game and saying "look, screw points, just shut down these guys" but he kept Pierce in too long.

Four:  we had TWO attempts with a 1-pt deficit to get off a shot to win the game, and the closest we got to points was an airball by Pierce on a stepback.  Maybe Doc doesn't deserve blame there, but he is the coach and he calls the sets.  Pierce did not have it last night.  That was clear to everyone watching the game.  Get him in a screen-and-pop for a jumper but DON'T DO ISO!!  Also, he's got to have some type of play drawn up for that last Rondo steal.  Whatever it was, it collapsed.  Maybe that's execution but it could be a bad call too.

I know we are banged up and that puts a strain on a coach, especially when one of those "injured" players is your captain, best scorer, and a future hall of famer (not to mention will have his number in the Garden rafters).  But we have to settle on a group of players and keep continuity on defense.  We cannot play with lineups NOW.

Having said all that.... 1-pt loss on the road.  We win Game 6 at home.