I liked doc's postgame interview

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

he said we take too many jumpers over and over and over and that could we please get to the gameplan now of ATTACKING AND POSTING UP? he said he stated this to the team in a TO.

kudos to doc on this. 

[badshar]

Doesn't matter. He still needs to leave, as decided by the people of CelticsBlog, who somehow have more knowledge about the Celtics team than the coach and the players themselves.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Doesn't matter. He still needs to leave, as decided by the people of CelticsBlog, who somehow have more knowledge about the Celtics team than the coach and the players themselves.

those issues above are by no means the only ones we have had problems with in the past. I have listed plenty. But i will give credit when it is due just like he will get criticism when it is due. it works both ways. nobody is beyond criticism. Nor is there anything wrong with calling a spade a spade, good or bad.

[nickagneta]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

[badshar]

Doesn't matter. He still needs to leave, as decided by the people of CelticsBlog, who somehow have more knowledge about the Celtics team than the coach and the players themselves.

those issues above are by no means the only ones we have had problems with in the past. I have listed plenty. But i will give credit when it is due just like he will get criticism when it is due. it works both ways. nobody is beyond criticism. Nor is there anything wrong with calling a spade a spade, good or bad.

That is not what I was trying to point out.

When Doc Rivers has a good game coaching wise, people over here aren't busy praising him, they just shut up because they can't criticize him but as soon as he has a bad game, these "experts" come out and make threads entitled, "Fire Doc!" and "Doc needs to go."

I don't remember the last time that users are much as the amount of haters posted something good about Doc.

Its rare when he has a good game and these "experts" say something nice about him.

But I do have to give credit to these CelticsBlog users who consider themselves top-notch analysts with the amount of garbage threads that they make.

[Kiorrik]

I hope you all notice you're contributing to the "CB people don't like Doc"-hype by bringing it up in every single Doc-related topic.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

so you are saying this team is hard headed and does not listen to doc?Or is dumb at times?  I have made that same statement. sadly though it rests on docs shoulders at the end whether we like it or not. 

[nickagneta]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

so you are saying this team is hard headed and does not listen to doc?Or is dumb at times?  I have made that same statement. sadly though it rests on docs shoulders at the end whether we like it or not. 

Well all Doc can do is either play or not play players. He has input on which players come in and which players stay or leave when it comes to trades but he doesn't determine who is on the team. Once on the team, Doc manages the players but if they aren't listening or taking to his coaching, those players tend to disappear after the end of the season or in trades.

I also think coaching in the NBA is a thankless job. You get no credit when you win and all the blame when you lose. If the star players do what they want on the court, and this happens on every team in virtually every game, you really can't sit you star players without massive front office support.

Yeah, Doc is ultimately responsible if the players don't listen but its more like, as with every NBA coach, if they don't listen to everything, just make sure they are listening to the most important things and manage the results of the players not listening to you as well as you can. That's where I think the best coaches do their jobs. In managing what they are given and what happens on the court to still have success long term.

[Boris Badenov]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

so you are saying this team is hard headed and does not listen to doc?Or is dumb at times?  I have made that same statement. sadly though it rests on docs shoulders at the end whether we like it or not. 

Well all Doc can do is either play or not play players. He has input on which players come in and which players stay or leave when it comes to trades but he doesn't determine who is on the team. Once on the team, Doc manages the players but if they aren't listening or taking to his coaching, those players tend to disappear after the end of the season or in trades.

I also think coaching in the NBA is a thankless job. You get no credit when you win and all the blame when you lose. If the star players do what they want on the court, and this happens on every team in virtually every game, you really can't sit you star players without massive front office support.

Yeah, Doc is ultimately responsible if the players don't listen but its more like, as with every NBA coach, if they don't listen to everything, just make sure they are listening to the most important things and manage the results of the players not listening to you as well as you can. That's where I think the best coaches do their jobs. In managing what they are given and what happens on the court to still have success long term.

The past few months have been a real eye-opener for me. With all the evidence we have of Doc's success, every fact is twisted by the Doc-haters into something negative. When a player has a good game, it's proof that Doc criminally ignored him until then. When a player does poorly, it's because Doc is mis-using him. When Pierce/KG play poorly it's because Doc runs his vets into the ground. When the bench plays poorly it's because Doc doesn't know how to play or develop new players. Ad infinitum. It is totally illogical and exhausting.

Just as one example, Terrence Williams was a real difference-maker yesterday, with his ability to break the Knicks' pressure.

Not once have I seen anyone give credit to Doc and Danny for identifying this ability in Twill and building his confidence. Yet, the evidence is there:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/9007698/terrence-williams-finds-way-boston-celtics

Now, just to be clear I'm not saying Williams is some kind of savior. In fact, I think the opposite - in my mind he's a strictly marginal NBA player at this point.

But what I would say is that Doc found a way for this kid to be as effective as possible. He found one consistent message - "you can help us as a point guard" - and stuck with it.

And yesterday, in the biggest game of the season, that player produced in exactly the way Doc encouraged. That's good coaching.

More generally, once again in a big playoff game the C's came up with one of their best efforts of the year. Once again the Celtics have taken a team with more talent on paper, and given them a run for their money.

And you know what? That's what well-coached teams do.

[RJ87]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

so you are saying this team is hard headed and does not listen to doc?Or is dumb at times?  I have made that same statement. sadly though it rests on docs shoulders at the end whether we like it or not. 

Well all Doc can do is either play or not play players. He has input on which players come in and which players stay or leave when it comes to trades but he doesn't determine who is on the team. Once on the team, Doc manages the players but if they aren't listening or taking to his coaching, those players tend to disappear after the end of the season or in trades.

I also think coaching in the NBA is a thankless job. You get no credit when you win and all the blame when you lose. If the star players do what they want on the court, and this happens on every team in virtually every game, you really can't sit you star players without massive front office support.

Yeah, Doc is ultimately responsible if the players don't listen but its more like, as with every NBA coach, if they don't listen to everything, just make sure they are listening to the most important things and manage the results of the players not listening to you as well as you can. That's where I think the best coaches do their jobs. In managing what they are given and what happens on the court to still have success long term.

The past few months have been a real eye-opener for me. With all the evidence we have of Doc's success, every fact is twisted by the Doc-haters into something negative. When a player has a good game, it's proof that Doc criminally ignored him until then. When a player does poorly, it's because Doc is mis-using him. When Pierce/KG play poorly it's because Doc runs his vets into the ground. When the bench plays poorly it's because Doc doesn't know how to play or develop new players. Ad infinitum. It is totally illogical and exhausting.

Just as one example, Terrence Williams was a real difference-maker yesterday, with his ability to break the Knicks' pressure.

Not once have I seen anyone give credit to Doc and Danny for identifying this ability in Twill and building his confidence. Yet, the evidence is there:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/9007698/terrence-williams-finds-way-boston-celtics

Now, just to be clear I'm not saying Williams is some kind of savior. In fact, I think the opposite - in my mind he's a strictly marginal NBA player at this point.

But what I would say is that Doc found a way for this kid to be as effective as possible. He found one consistent message - "you can help us as a point guard" - and stuck with it.

And yesterday, in the biggest game of the season, that player produced in exactly the way Doc encouraged. That's good coaching.

More generally, once again in a big playoff game the C's came up with one of their best efforts of the year. Once again the Celtics have taken a team with more talent on paper, and given them a run for their money.

And you know what? That's what well-coached teams do.

Spot on.

He did something similar with Nate Robinson when he was here.  If anyone recalls, Nate was having a less than stellar playoff run, but Doc kept saying "Nate's gonna win a game for us." Soon,  we but the Shrek/Donkey show.

[Chief]

Doesn't matter. He still needs to leave, as decided by the people of CelticsBlog, who somehow have more knowledge about the Celtics team than the coach and the players themselves.

those issues above are by no means the only ones we have had problems with in the past. I have listed plenty. But i will give credit when it is due just like he will get criticism when it is due. it works both ways. nobody is beyond criticism. Nor is there anything wrong with calling a spade a spade, good or bad.

TP for the effort. It's funny around here. You call someone a homer, kool-aid drinker, ect. and you are breaking the rules. You call people Doc bashers and it goes unnoticed. 

I too give Doc some credit game 5. He shortened the bench, demanded the ball to go inside, and had Bradley on a short leash. Great things. Plus, taking the gamble with T-Will was trusting. Hopefully, things will continue.

Let's go Celtics!!!!

[Atzar]

The past few months have been a real eye-opener for me. With all the evidence we have of Doc's success, every fact is twisted by the Doc-haters into something negative. When a player has a good game, it's proof that Doc criminally ignored him until then. When a player does poorly, it's because Doc is mis-using him. When Pierce/KG play poorly it's because Doc runs his vets into the ground. When the bench plays poorly it's because Doc doesn't know how to play or develop new players. Ad infinitum. It is totally illogical and exhausting.

Just as one example, Terrence Williams was a real difference-maker yesterday, with his ability to break the Knicks' pressure.

Not once have I seen anyone give credit to Doc and Danny for identifying this ability in Twill and building his confidence. Yet, the evidence is there:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/9007698/terrence-williams-finds-way-boston-celtics

Now, just to be clear I'm not saying Williams is some kind of savior. In fact, I think the opposite - in my mind he's a strictly marginal NBA player at this point.

But what I would say is that Doc found a way for this kid to be as effective as possible. He found one consistent message - "you can help us as a point guard" - and stuck with it.

And yesterday, in the biggest game of the season, that player produced in exactly the way Doc encouraged. That's good coaching.

More generally, once again in a big playoff game the C's came up with one of their best efforts of the year. Once again the Celtics have taken a team with more talent on paper, and given them a run for their money.

And you know what? That's what well-coached teams do.

Agree with everything you said here.  Well said.

[CoachBo]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

so you are saying this team is hard headed and does not listen to doc?Or is dumb at times?  I have made that same statement. sadly though it rests on docs shoulders at the end whether we like it or not. 

Well all Doc can do is either play or not play players. He has input on which players come in and which players stay or leave when it comes to trades but he doesn't determine who is on the team. Once on the team, Doc manages the players but if they aren't listening or taking to his coaching, those players tend to disappear after the end of the season or in trades.

I also think coaching in the NBA is a thankless job. You get no credit when you win and all the blame when you lose. If the star players do what they want on the court, and this happens on every team in virtually every game, you really can't sit you star players without massive front office support.

Yeah, Doc is ultimately responsible if the players don't listen but its more like, as with every NBA coach, if they don't listen to everything, just make sure they are listening to the most important things and manage the results of the players not listening to you as well as you can. That's where I think the best coaches do their jobs. In managing what they are given and what happens on the court to still have success long term.

The past few months have been a real eye-opener for me. With all the evidence we have of Doc's success, every fact is twisted by the Doc-haters into something negative. When a player has a good game, it's proof that Doc criminally ignored him until then. When a player does poorly, it's because Doc is mis-using him. When Pierce/KG play poorly it's because Doc runs his vets into the ground. When the bench plays poorly it's because Doc doesn't know how to play or develop new players. Ad infinitum. It is totally illogical and exhausting.

Just as one example, Terrence Williams was a real difference-maker yesterday, with his ability to break the Knicks' pressure.

Not once have I seen anyone give credit to Doc and Danny for identifying this ability in Twill and building his confidence. Yet, the evidence is there:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/9007698/terrence-williams-finds-way-boston-celtics

Now, just to be clear I'm not saying Williams is some kind of savior. In fact, I think the opposite - in my mind he's a strictly marginal NBA player at this point.

But what I would say is that Doc found a way for this kid to be as effective as possible. He found one consistent message - "you can help us as a point guard" - and stuck with it.

And yesterday, in the biggest game of the season, that player produced in exactly the way Doc encouraged. That's good coaching.

More generally, once again in a big playoff game the C's came up with one of their best efforts of the year. Once again the Celtics have taken a team with more talent on paper, and given them a run for their money.

And you know what? That's what well-coached teams do.

Terrific post. I had begun to despair that this serious basketball discussion that once marked this board had gone the route of The Truth's legs.

It can be hard to tell here sometimes that we have a team currently in the playoffs, with "All Rondo All The Time," et al. Glad some other posters noticed that we're still playing.

Totally agree with your post, and appreciate the return, albeit brief, to a serious current basketball topic.

TP.

[CoachBo]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

By now, anyone who's been around here - or on any Internet board for awhile - should know that some fans are so deeply invested in their heroes - read: obsess constantly over them - that they categorically refuse to engage in any honest evaluation of them.

So when the on-floor results go bad, the hero worshippers have to have someone to blame - and that's certainly never going to be their hero.

So the easy foil is Doc.

You're right, Nick: The lack of understanding here - about coaching professionals, and about the game management in the league - is striking.

And oftentimes convenient.

On this subject, former Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer had it exactly right: "It's not the Xs and Os; it's the Jimmys and Joes."

Problem is, a lot of fans worship the ground Jimmy and Joe walk on, and they're not about to ever admit Jimmy and Joe might have failed. To do so requires the hero worshipper to entertain the idea that they themselves might actually be wrong.

So the easy foil is Doc.

Rivers is one of the three best coaches to ever sit on the Celtic bench. When he's gone, I suspect that will dawn on some people.

[Tgro]

I think this statement goes to prove just how wrong most people on CB are about Doc. Most of Doc's detractors think that what happens on the court is what Doc wanted to happen on the court. They think Doc wants the team taking outside shots and they think Doc doesn't want to push the ball inside or attack or that Doc is somehow in love with small ball.

But sometimes the best laid game plans of coaches go for not and players do what they want. Actually, that happens a lot in today's player/star driven NBA. Coaches tell the players what they want done and the players just do what they want, regardless of the coaching. Also, sometimes you just have to play your best players and if they all happen to be 6'4" - 6'9", then it looks like small ball. Doesn't mean you love playing that style.

I just think Doc is vastly misunderstood by a majority of those here on CB who don't like him because they just have no idea what really happens in a professional locker room or how managing a team is so completely different than coaching a team.

so you are saying this team is hard headed and does not listen to doc?Or is dumb at times?  I have made that same statement. sadly though it rests on docs shoulders at the end whether we like it or not. 

Well all Doc can do is either play or not play players. He has input on which players come in and which players stay or leave when it comes to trades but he doesn't determine who is on the team. Once on the team, Doc manages the players but if they aren't listening or taking to his coaching, those players tend to disappear after the end of the season or in trades.

I also think coaching in the NBA is a thankless job. You get no credit when you win and all the blame when you lose. If the star players do what they want on the court, and this happens on every team in virtually every game, you really can't sit you star players without massive front office support.

Yeah, Doc is ultimately responsible if the players don't listen but its more like, as with every NBA coach, if they don't listen to everything, just make sure they are listening to the most important things and manage the results of the players not listening to you as well as you can. That's where I think the best coaches do their jobs. In managing what they are given and what happens on the court to still have success long term.

The past few months have been a real eye-opener for me. With all the evidence we have of Doc's success, every fact is twisted by the Doc-haters into something negative. When a player has a good game, it's proof that Doc criminally ignored him until then. When a player does poorly, it's because Doc is mis-using him. When Pierce/KG play poorly it's because Doc runs his vets into the ground. When the bench plays poorly it's because Doc doesn't know how to play or develop new players. Ad infinitum. It is totally illogical and exhausting.

Just as one example, Terrence Williams was a real difference-maker yesterday, with his ability to break the Knicks' pressure.

Not once have I seen anyone give credit to Doc and Danny for identifying this ability in Twill and building his confidence. Yet, the evidence is there:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/9007698/terrence-williams-finds-way-boston-celtics

Now, just to be clear I'm not saying Williams is some kind of savior. In fact, I think the opposite - in my mind he's a strictly marginal NBA player at this point.

But what I would say is that Doc found a way for this kid to be as effective as possible. He found one consistent message - "you can help us as a point guard" - and stuck with it.

And yesterday, in the biggest game of the season, that player produced in exactly the way Doc encouraged. That's good coaching.

More generally, once again in a big playoff game the C's came up with one of their best efforts of the year. Once again the Celtics have taken a team with more talent on paper, and given them a run for their money.

And you know what? That's what well-coached teams do.

Spot on.

He did something similar with Nate Robinson when he was here.  If anyone recalls, Nate was having a less than stellar playoff run, but Doc kept saying "Nate's gonna win a game for us." Soon,  we but the Shrek/Donkey show.

Yeah, and they was like "I can't believe Doc is leaving us in the game this long."