I know it has only been three games thus far, but to me, the team has far exceeded my expectations on the court. I'm not seeing much sloppy play at all, and both the offense and defense looks calculated, well organized and very effective. To me, it's amazing to see a team, where a solid majority of its players never played together before, play so well together in such a short period of time. Is this a result of good coaching, or are these players so good that not even the worst coach in basketball could slow them down?</p>
He's not the best coach out there, but he does a good job. Even last year with so many injuries that we had, we were in the game in most of them, it was having so many young guys that we couldn't win them.</p> Also credit goes to KG, Ray and Pierce who at this point don't even care whether they get 20 or 30 points a night, or who will do what, they just want to win and they've shown it in the past 3 games. Lets hope it continues. (i'm pretty sure it will)</p> We have a special team 44Thrilla. </p>
Here's what David Thorpe from ESPN said about him ...</p> "Like most former stars, I think (Doc Rivers) lacks the teaching ability for the most "nuanced" aspects of the game. And I'm not convinced he does a good job manufacturing points and stops after whistles. "</p> I was never impressed with Doc River as a coach either and I'd say he's in the hot seat this year if the Celtics don't make it to the ECF or maybe even the Finals (if healthy.)</p> Having 3 veteran All-Stars who have put their personal success behind them are hungry to win a ring makes Doc's job a lot easier. I think more than anything his rotations are something to keep an eye on and also how he handles this team if they get on a losing streak or deal with some controversy during the season.</p>
The real coaches are KG, Allen, and Pierce. They're the ones who want the rings. They will be the driving force behind every victory this team gets. It really doesnt matter at all what coach this team has.</p>
I think bringing in thibodeau to be the defensive coach and the fact that the team had informal practices starting in September has helped them to play better D and play cohesively early.</p> Doc.. not entirely sold on him. The playoffs will either prove his worth or exposehim IMO. It's in a 7 game series that a coach makes the necessary adjustments to win and proves he's good.</p>
Certainly not a product of Rivers.</p> I'd rather give credit to the combined leadership of Peirce, Allen, and KG.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I think bringing in thibodeau to be the defensive coach and the fact that the team had informal practices starting in September has helped them to play better D and play cohesively early.</p> Doc.. not entirely sold on him. The playoffs will either prove his worth or exposehim IMO. It's in a 7 game series that a coach makes the necessary adjustments to win and proves he's good.</p> </div></p> Bingo, I agree with that entire post. The first part about Thibodeau is 100% true, and the reason we're playing so well. It's no fluke that we are #1 in team defense (FG defense - opposing FG%) right now, and were all through preseason as well. Tom Thibodeau is a defensive guru, one of the best in the business, and has been his whole coaching career. He was an incredible pickup by the organization. Opposing fans keep saying, after we play them: "We couldn't hit anything tonight. I don't know what was up with us." Well... they don't believe me, but it's no fluke. We've held everybody to under 40% shooting, and despite the stat sheet saying Denver shot 45% last night... it was really about 37% until garbage time hit.</p> This team is no joke on both ends of the court.</p> </p>
So basically, nobody gives Doc any credit.</p> This is the first team with real talent he has ever coached (ORLor BOS), so this is the first chance we will have at seeing what kind of coach he reallyis.</p>
We could say that he's driving KG, Pierce and Allen. ;-)But honestly, I don't think he can deserve much credit.Last year he had a bad team, we finished with an awful record.This year he has a good team, we'll finish with a good record. I think it's as simple as that.
Honestly he's always been a good offensive coach. His glaring weakness has always been his retarded gambling defenses. So hiring a good defensive coordinator has, in essence, plugged the biggest hole in his coaching. His weak clock management is helped out by the shiny new personnel. But, offensively, he's getting every last drop of performance out of his guys.
I dont think he's a good coach. and i think if the celtics don't live up to expectations it'll be because of him</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ehmunro)</div><div class='quotemain'>Honestly he's always been a good offensive coach. His glaring weakness has always been his retarded gambling defenses. So hiring a good defensive coordinator has, in essence, plugged the biggest hole in his coaching. His weak clock management is helped out by the shiny new personnel. But, offensively, he's getting every last drop of performance out of his guys.</div> Thethree20+pointpergamecareerscorers?</p>
Like I said, I don't think we can judge him until the playoffs. That's when his coaching ability will have to come in to play the most.</p> Yes there will be tight games this year but with 2 killers in Paul and Ray to take the shot it makes it easier on Doc too.</p> Also his handling of their mins as the year wears on will be important too. The big 3 could have dead legs for the playoffs if they're overplayed just to get more wins in the regular season. (Dumb coaches will do that)</p> </p>
What I like about Doc the most is that he's a great communicator and I love listening to him talk before and after the game. (unlike belichick)</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ehmunro)</div><div class='quotemain'>Honestly he's always been a good offensive coach. His glaring weakness has always been his retarded gambling defenses. So hiring a good defensive coordinator has, in essence, plugged the biggest hole in his coaching. His weak clock management is helped out by the shiny new personnel. But, offensively, he's getting every last drop of performance out of his guys.</div> That was Tony Brown's defense.</p> If you're going to credit Thibodeau with the good defense, then you have to credit Brown with the bad.</p> </p>
I think this year Doc has a bit of SamMitchellitis, where he finally has a little talent to play with and looks like a better coach then he really is.</p>
I ask the same thing about Skiles as coach of the Bulls. Without Gordon, Deng, and Nocioni, he wasn't a very good coach.</p> Thing is, when you have the players and win, you probably are a good enough coach. When you have the players and lose, you're clearly a terrible coach </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ehmunro)</div><div class='quotemain'>Honestly he's always been a good offensive coach. His glaring weakness has always been his retarded gambling defenses. So hiring a good defensive coordinator has, in essence, plugged the biggest hole in his coaching. His weak clock management is helped out by the shiny new personnel. But, offensively, he's getting every last drop of performance out of his guys.</div> Thethree20+pointpergamecareerscorers?</p></div> </p> The Celtics have been unbelievably efficient on the offensive end. They're like a machine. Yes, it's largely because of the personnel, but it's also because the offensive set maximises their abilities.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (44Thrilla)</div><div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ehmunro)</div><div class='quotemain'>Honestly he's always been a good offensive coach. His glaring weakness has always been his retarded gambling defenses. So hiring a good defensive coordinator has, in essence, plugged the biggest hole in his coaching. His weak clock management is helped out by the shiny new personnel. But, offensively, he's getting every last drop of performance out of his guys.</div> That was Tony Brown's defense.</p> If you're going to credit Thibodeau with the good defense, then you have to credit Brown with the bad.</p> </p></div> </p> Tony and Doc have been running together for a long time. And Boston's defense, until this year, was the same gambling defense that the Magic used when Doc was coaching there. Thankfully the Celtics dumped Brown and brought in a great defensive assistant to change the way they play.
