Who's a better coach, Doc or CBS?

[D.o.s.]

Feel free to substitute the question for 'which coach do you prefer' if you don't actually have any real opinion on the coaching style/ability of each, although that's less exciting. Also feel free to only consider Doc's first year + change as a coach if that helps you make a more even comparison.


However, at this point, however you define 'this point', who do you believe is the better coach, and why?

[fairweatherfan]

At the same point in their careers it's debatable, though Doc took a team about as bad as ours to .500 and the cusp of the playoffs his first season  (seriously, look at this roster, keeping in mind Ben Wallace wasn't Ben Wallace yet.)

At the present moment it shouldn't even be a conversation, though it will be since lots of folks around here have convinced themselves everything good under Doc happened in spite of Doc.

[D.o.s.]

Confession time: What sparked this thought was reading a lot of posts praising Stevens's coaching (which is good) this morning and then seeing this Clippers highlight over at Deadspin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT8JmzPx4x0


Which really reminded me of Doc's stellar ability to draw up a great play out of a timeout. That's a really, really nice play being executed pretty much perfectly.

[KeepRondo]

Good question.

I think both coaches can be chosen for this question. If its a veteran team who needs a motivational and strong leader then I would pick Doc. Rivers has that experience over Stevens. If its a young and less talented team I would pick Stevens to develop the team. Stevens is more flexible with his basketball philosophy and with player development.

[Evantime34]

We won't know until Stevens has the opportunity to coach comparably good talent to what Doc coached near the end of his tenure here.

As of now I'd say Stevens is a better offensive coach and Doc is a better defensive one.

[wdleehi]

Stevens hasn't had the chance to coach enough in the NBA to be compared to Doc.


He hasn't had a chance to even have a success yet.  He is coaching a roster that lacks talent and there is only a short window to look at in terms of player development.




It is unfair to compare him with a championship level coach. 

[mgent]

Let's see.

Doc is like a top 2-3 coach.

Brad has been in the league for like 2-3 minutes.

Hmm.

Of course, ranking coaches is one the most subjective things ever so I guess waiting to form a fully-developed opinion on BS is ultimately futile.

[D.o.s.]

Stevens hasn't had the chance to coach enough in the NBA to be compared to Doc.


He hasn't had a chance to even have a success yet.  He is coaching a roster that lacks talent and there is only a short window to look at in terms of player development.




It is unfair to compare him with a championship level coach.

Look at the team FWF posted. That was Doc's first team -- the '99 Magic -- and I'd argue that they were worse than what CBS had to work with in his opening year, despite the fact that they wound up at .500

Which is not to say I have dog in this fight, just curious to see what the feeling was on CB.

[Celtics18]

I voted for Brad (mostly because of wishful thinking, and because Doc was already in the lead by a score of 6 to 3).

Doc's a legend, but I do like Brad Stevens and have high hopes for him as a coach.  I like his game plan for us this season, and I think competing for the last playoff spot in the East is within reach.

If we can accomplish that, the gap will certainly close between the two coaches.  People are already high on Stevens' future.  I believe the future starts now. 

[Tr1boy]

Hate to say but Doc is better.... For now.

He has so much experience and knows how to draw up /execute plays after a timeout. He is a great third quarter coach (mid game adj).

What he is mediocre in is substitutions - heavily favoring vets  and developing young players (vs CBS).

CBS needs another year. 1st year get his feet wet/experiment, 2nd year build a system, identity  , 3rd year make adj from timeouts, after a quarter, after a half quicker. Finish the game strong

[hpantazo]

CBS is he better basketball coach , Doc is the better politician and better at delegating coaching duties.

[sofutomygaha]

The theme for the day is comparing dudes who haven't done anything yet to other dudes who have.

Doc Rivers is a better coach than Brad Stevens the same way Bob Costas is a better broadcaster than Brian Scalabrine.

[D.o.s.]

The theme for the day is comparing dudes who haven't done anything yet to other dudes who have.

Doc Rivers is a better coach than Brad Stevens the same way Bob Costas is a better broadcaster than Brian Scalabrine.

False analogy -- Bob Costas is a completely useless waste of oxygen. Scal is not.

[hpantazo]

Also, I enjoy watching the style of basketball the celtics play under CBS much more than the Doc Rivers style. Sure, CBS doesn't have the talent Doc had yet, but this team actually attempts to get offensive rebounds, moves the ball, utilizes big men down low, and pushes the offense as just a few examples.

[Clench123]

Very unfair comparison