Captain Obvious-Doc Rivers

[angryguy77]

"It goes game to game, it really does,’’ Rivers said when asked about the effectiveness of his small lineup. "I think honestly if we made one mistake we should have went back to Bass [and the bigger lineup]. The first three games our small lineup was a better lineup than our big lineup. Statistically in Game 4, the big lineup was better. The big lineup is what got us the lead. The big lineup is what in the beginning of the third got us off to a good start. Both times when we went small, it actually hurt us.

Really Doc, you don't say. You mean you shouldn't have gone away from what was working?

I love this guy, but he can make me hate him at times.

[Chris]

If he is saying the obvious, shouldn't we blame the reporters for asking the questions?

As for the mistake, sure, it was a mistake.  But they didn't lose the game because of the small likeup, they lost it because they lost their composure and their fire, and they didn't play to the end.

[pearljammer10]

At least he realizes the mistake. Stick to the players and the lineup that is playing well. Bass was playing a great great game. Why on earth would you stick him on the bench. Yes small might have worked in games 1 through 3 but it wasnt working in game 4... adapt to the game, change your plan.

[angryguy77]

If he is saying the obvious, shouldn't we blame the reporters for asking the questions?

As for the mistake, sure, it was a mistake.  But they didn't lose the game because of the small likeup, they lost it because they lost their composure and their fire, and they didn't play to the end.

It was obvious to us who were watching the game wondering what happened to Bass. They allowed some crucial offensive rebounds to be given up.

I think if we had grabbed a few more loose balls, we win that game.

[esel1000]

I love how this board goes from loving to hating doc rivers based on single games. Lets be real here he made a mistake, he isn't perfect and he knows it. I know he's supposed to be divine but he is just a man.

Count your blessings, this guys the 2nd best coach in the league right now behind Pop. It could be a lot worse...

[esel1000]

If he is saying the obvious, shouldn't we blame the reporters for asking the questions?

As for the mistake, sure, it was a mistake.  But they didn't lose the game because of the small likeup, they lost it because they lost their composure and their fire, and they didn't play to the end.

It was obvious to us who were watching the game wondering what happened to Bass. They allowed some crucial offensive rebounds to be given up.

I think if we had grabbed a few more loose balls, we win that game.

Are you sure about that? Maybe if they played better defense, made less flashy passes and took care of a double digit lead, they win the game. The celtics deserved that loss, their 2nd half play with or without Bass was pitiful, end of story

[thestackshow]

I really dont understand Doc Rivers sometimes, he goes away from whats working, and in turn, puts players who cant play out there.

Ray Allen should only get minutes to give Bradley a breather, both our offense and defense are worse when Ray is on the floor.

Bradley needs to be in the game as much as possible. He needs to understand that certain lineups dont work.

Bass was on his way to have his BEST PLAYOFF GAME for us in Game 4. Then he sat out for basically the entire second half so Doc could "get ray going"? Im sick of it man. Enough is enough.

[LooseCannon]

Bradley needs to be in the game as much as possible.

I suspect Bradley is actually playing as much as possible, or at least as much as Doc (in consultation with trainers and doctors) thinks is possible.

[BballTim]

"It goes game to game, it really does,’’ Rivers said when asked about the effectiveness of his small lineup. "I think honestly if we made one mistake we should have went back to Bass [and the bigger lineup]. The first three games our small lineup was a better lineup than our big lineup. Statistically in Game 4, the big lineup was better. The big lineup is what got us the lead. The big lineup is what in the beginning of the third got us off to a good start. Both times when we went small, it actually hurt us.

Really Doc, you don't say. You mean you shouldn't have gone away from what was working?

I love this guy, but he can make me hate him at times.

  If the small ball lineup was more effective the first three games than he was going *with* what was working as well. It's not like we've been getting killed with that lineup the whole series.

[Chris]

I really dont understand Doc Rivers sometimes, he goes away from whats working, and in turn, puts players who cant play out there.

Ray Allen should only get minutes to give Bradley a breather, both our offense and defense are worse when Ray is on the floor.

Bradley needs to be in the game as much as possible. He needs to understand that certain lineups dont work.

I'll admit, the Bradley stuff confuses me too.  I can only assume it has something to do with his shoulder, because the team plays so much better when he is in there right now.

[alley oop]

If he is saying the obvious, shouldn't we blame the reporters for asking the questions?

As for the mistake, sure, it was a mistake.  But they didn't lose the game because of the small likeup, they lost it because they lost their composure and their fire, and they didn't play to the end.

It was obvious to us who were watching the game wondering what happened to Bass. They allowed some crucial offensive rebounds to be given up.

I think if we had grabbed a few more loose balls, we win that game.

Are you sure about that? Maybe if they played better defense, made less flashy passes and took care of a double digit lead, they win the game. The celtics deserved that loss, their 2nd half play with or without Bass was pitiful, end of story

The 76ers only shot 37.8 % for the game. That’s not the Celtics playing bad defense, when defensive rebounds are excluded from the definition of defense. Bass is the Celtics second best rebounder, and they were killed on the boards when he wasn't in the game.

[angryguy77]

"It goes game to game, it really does,’’ Rivers said when asked about the effectiveness of his small lineup. "I think honestly if we made one mistake we should have went back to Bass [and the bigger lineup]. The first three games our small lineup was a better lineup than our big lineup. Statistically in Game 4, the big lineup was better. The big lineup is what got us the lead. The big lineup is what in the beginning of the third got us off to a good start. Both times when we went small, it actually hurt us.

Really Doc, you don't say. You mean you shouldn't have gone away from what was working?

I love this guy, but he can make me hate him at times.

  If the small ball lineup was more effective the first three games than he was going *with* what was working as well. It's not like we've been getting killed with that lineup the whole series.

But it wasn't working at the most crucial part of this game. I don't know why you would pull Bass out when he was on track to have a great game.

[wiley]

I'm a huge Doc fan.  I love the guy.  At the moment I think he's in a minor coaching slump, which to me just means he's thinking more than he needs to and maybe being a little stubborn, also possibly over-estimating our opponent, which shows itself in zero minutes for Sasha or Marquis during certain very low quality stretches from Paul and Ray, who are just going to get tired anway the longer the playoffs go (can you imagine Paul and Ray in big minutes against Ok. CIty?  It won't work out... gotta use Marquis and Sasha a bit and Pietrus more for Ray and Paul to stay effective)

Sometimes artists, writers and musicians talk about how the piece of work created itself and they just went along for the ride.  Doc needs to adopt a little of that, which I would say means sticking to whatever flow is working in the game and don't be married too much to pre-game plans, nor married too much to the Pierce or Ray.  KG yes...he should stay married to the concept that we are always better with KG playing as many minutes as he can without burning out.... But generally, let this team write its own post-season story.... and use everyone.

[33-00-32]

I'm a huge Doc fan.  I love the guy.  At the moment I think he's in a minor coaching slump, which to me just means he's thinking more than he needs to and maybe being a little stubborn, also possibly over-estimating our opponent, which shows itself in zero minutes for Sasha or Marquis during certain very low quality stretches from Paul and Ray, who are just going to get tired anway the longer the playoffs go (can you imagine Paul and Ray in big minutes against Ok. CIty?  It won't work out... gotta use Marquis and Sasha a bit and Pietrus more for Ray and Paul to stay effective)

Sometimes artists, writers and musicians talk about how the piece of work created itself and they just went along for the ride.  Doc needs to adopt a little of that, which I would say means sticking to whatever flow is working in the game and don't be married too much to pre-game plans, nor married too much to the Pierce or Ray.  KG yes...he should stay married to the concept that we are always better with KG playing as many minutes as he can without burning out.... But generally, let this team write its own post-season story.... and use everyone.

Same here. Go with the hot hand. I think one thing that caused Doc some issues in the last game were the fouls on Bass and Avery.

Ray is just as cold as he ever has been. I know we can't win it all without him but I also know his poor play is costing the rest of the vets some rest time.  I cringe every time I see Marquis making his way into a game but I think Sasha's play at the end of the season showed he can play D and hit an opener jumper. Would love to see him get some minutes if Ray can't get things going.

[byennie]

Suppose he sticks with the big lineup and bad things happen. Then everyone screams "why didn't you go small, it's been working all series!!!! Bass was tired, why didn't you sub him out!!!" etc.

It's called hindsight people, and it's awfully easy to watch as things fall apart and just assume that because you can "see" the problem that you would have had the solution. It's just the nature of the beast - Doc can do a million things right and you don't even notice they are happening, but when something goes wrong, suddenly the coach made a bad call.

Not saying he's perfect, but I think this stuff gets rather irrational after the fact.