Herald: Boston knew Doc didn't intend to rebuild when he signed contract

[2short]

There's no two ways around this. It makes him look much better. Ainge, too. Total genius on Danny's part. Doc wanted to stay with us and run it back with his guys. Otherwise, he would just not coach and do TV. Danny smartly signs him to a long term deal with VERY STRONG non-compete language. OK, so if its only 2-3yrs and Doc quits, no loss. We get to that point and Doc says "I'm done". BUT, Danny says "Doc, if you want to keep coaching for a title, i think we can work something out that works for both of us...".

agree not sure how anyone can read anything different into it but what you state

[greenhead85]

Pop was patient enough to really develop and slowly integrated/incorporated them to the rotation

This is hilarious.

So Pop is "patient enough to really develop" players, and Doc "doesn't play his rookies unless he has to" -- even though they're pretty much doing the same thing (introducing new players gradually to an established veteran rotation).

I bet these 3 guys wouldn't get similar minutes under Doc's coaching style.

You don't have to "bet" anything. Just pay more attention to the careers of the likes of Glen Davis, Jared Sullinger, or Avery Bradley.

30+ minutes per game for aging PP, KG and Ray. They could bring the game to a competitive level but would most of the time fade in the 4th because they all lose gas. Where are the other players who should be contributing and filling out the "holes" while the Stars are getting their very short rest? This year alone, when we lost Ray, the transition (from the Big 3 to the young guys)could have come early because at the start of the season the team was never built to contend for the title but to compete and develop players for the future. Unfortunately,the competition was concentrated to a handful of players and it expanded only for a while when Rondo and Sully got down with injuries. Doc basically stunted the growth and development of young talents.

For me, Doc is only an excellent coach when he's got a lot of All Stars. I bet he wouldn't even achieve as close the Spurs performance as they did under Pop had he been the one steering Tim and company.

You surely jest. Duncan played more games and minutes per than Garnett this season.

And if you dig a bit more, Duncan also played more total minutes in 4 of the last 5 seasons, and more minutes per game in 3.

So much about that theory.

KG and Tim were utilized differently by their respective coaches. This is where Pop showed that he is far better than Doc. Tim may have played out more minutes but a lot of times was used to facilitate plays for his teammates - which included role players who really came in and contributed - thus, was used "sparingly" and wisely. KG was used for 30+ minutes  for a major role.

To me, this is how I see Doc's performance as coach. If he were the one coaching the Spurs, he won't reach were they got into this year.

[kozlodoev]

KG and Tim were utilized differently by their respective coaches. This is where Pop showed that he is far better than Doc. Tim may have played out more minutes but a lot of times was used to facilitate plays for his teammates - which included role players who really came in and contributed - thus, was used "sparingly" and wisely. KG was used for 30+ minutes  for a major role.

To me, this is how I see Doc's performance as coach. If he were the one coaching the Spurs, he won't reach were they got into this year.

To you, conjecture on the hypothetical ("Spurs would have never made it to the Finals if Doc coached them") seems to be more interesting than actual facts.

And the fact is that Duncan's role has been considerably more "major" than Garnett's (both as a scorer and as a facilitator), given that he's both taken more shot and passed for more assists per game with regularity over the last five season (or, if you prefer fancier stats, his usage % has been higher with regularity).

[Fafnir]

Pop was patient enough to really develop and slowly integrated/incorporated them to the rotation

This is hilarious.

So Pop is "patient enough to really develop" players, and Doc "doesn't play his rookies unless he has to" -- even though they're pretty much doing the same thing (introducing new players gradually to an established veteran rotation).

I bet these 3 guys wouldn't get similar minutes under Doc's coaching style.

You don't have to "bet" anything. Just pay more attention to the careers of the likes of Glen Davis, Jared Sullinger, or Avery Bradley.

30+ minutes per game for aging PP, KG and Ray. They could bring the game to a competitive level but would most of the time fade in the 4th because they all lose gas. Where are the other players who should be contributing and filling out the "holes" while the Stars are getting their very short rest? This year alone, when we lost Ray, the transition (from the Big 3 to the young guys)could have come early because at the start of the season the team was never built to contend for the title but to compete and develop players for the future. Unfortunately,the competition was concentrated to a handful of players and it expanded only for a while when Rondo and Sully got down with injuries. Doc basically stunted the growth and development of young talents.

For me, Doc is only an excellent coach when he's got a lot of All Stars. I bet he wouldn't even achieve as close the Spurs performance as they did under Pop had he been the one steering Tim and company.

You surely jest. Duncan played more games and minutes per than Garnett this season.

And if you dig a bit more, Duncan also played more total minutes in 4 of the last 5 seasons, and more minutes per game in 3.

So much about that theory.

KG and Tim were utilized differently by their respective coaches. This is where Pop showed that he is far better than Doc. Tim may have played out more minutes but a lot of times was used to facilitate plays for his teammates - which included role players who really came in and contributed - thus, was used "sparingly" and wisely. KG was used for 30+ minutes  for a major role.

To me, this is how I see Doc's performance as coach. If he were the one coaching the Spurs, he won't reach were they got into this year.

Now you're just making up a huge difference where there isn't one.

Neither Timmy or Kevin was the center of their offense, both were facilitators for their teams, both shot within the same ballpark of shots per minute, etc....

[LarBrd33]

That article reads like a coverup for a potential tampering charge.  "no no... It wasn't docs idea to leave.... It was ours.  We initiated everything". It in Boston's best interest to paint a picture that they initiated contact with the clippers and doc didn't start negotiating without permission.  They want league approval

[SHAQATTACK]

That article reads like a coverup for a potential tampering charge.  "no no... It wasn't docs idea to leave.... It was ours.  We initiated everything". It in Boston's best interest to paint a picture that they initiated contact with the clippers and doc didn't start negotiating without permission.  They want league approval

yup........I've felt this was the case  all along.   Doc is a creep

[SHAQATTACK]

Glen is going where "HE" can get coaching help.   CP3 does 90 % of what happens anyway, all Rivers will do is what ever Paul says anyhow

[fantankerous]

That article reads like a coverup for a potential tampering charge.  "no no... It wasn't docs idea to leave.... It was ours.  We initiated everything". It in Boston's best interest to paint a picture that they initiated contact with the clippers and doc didn't start negotiating without permission.  They want league approval

It only reads that way if you impose that interpretation on the text.  It is entirely plausible, and consistent with Ainge's prior behavior, that he sought valuations for all of his assets, including Doc.

[nickagneta]

Seems like a story leaked to the Boston media from the Celtics to paint Doc in a poor light and make the decision to let him go that much easier on the management team. Makes Doc look bad and the Celtics look good.

... how are we reading this article and coming to the complete OPPOSITE conclusion?  Weird.

I'm addressing this to everyone that has asked me this question, not just you Snakehead. Doc made public comments that he wanted to be here through thick and thin, through a rebuild because of the faith Ainge and the Celtics showed him from before the Big three era.

Now reports are that he never planned on being around for a rebuild. I think that paints Doc as a liar and shows he doesn't have the same loyalty to the team that they showed him before the Big Three era started.

That's why I think it paints Doc in a bad light.

[LEHGOCELTICS]

disingenuous buffoon

[Celtics4ever]

Doc Rivers was a rehab case as a coach when we got him.   Had some potential, a coach of the year and lost his job shortly after.   He was damaged goods and in fact, was doing TV instead of coaching.   He isn't anymore, he is viewed as a great player's coach.   With that rep he has now,  the rebuild was never  really an option.  He has gave a lot to us, missed his kids playing sports, etc.   I wish him well.   I do not think he will "air" it out after he leaves but I did not think Ray would either.

[EDWARDO]

There's no two ways around this. It makes him look much better. Ainge, too. Total genius on Danny's part. Doc wanted to stay with us and run it back with his guys. Otherwise, he would just not coach and do TV. Danny smartly signs him to a long term deal with VERY STRONG non-compete language. OK, so if its only 2-3yrs and Doc quits, no loss. We get to that point and Doc says "I'm done". BUT, Danny says "Doc, if you want to keep coaching for a title, i think we can work something out that works for both of us...".

agree not sure how anyone can read anything different into it but what you state

People need to find crazy conspiracies everywhere, even when the situation is completely logical. I think we have people arguing both that this is both pro-Doc spin and anti-Doc spin, when the its pretty obvious what has gone down here and everyone's motivation is crystal clear. Pathetic attempt to try to believe the worst in every situation. Sad.