Doc's orders: stay the course
In the world of coaching, patience is not merely a virtue. Sometimes, it is a requirement.
Particularly when things might get a little worse before they get better.
"I think sometimes you’ve got to wait on your team and sometimes you’ve got to push your team,’’ Celtics coach Doc Rivers said in a secluded corner of the locker room Wednesday night, shortly after an 89-85 loss to the Houston Rockets, his team's sixth defeat in the last eight games. "I think right now, this is one of those stretches you’ve got to push 'em in practice and you got to wait on ‘em in the game. You’ve got to wait on 'em to do all the right stuff that they know they can do."
And so, as the wait extends, the weight builds.
Once the possessors of a sterling 27-2 record -- the best 29-game start in NBA history -- the Celtics are now 29-8 entering tonight’s reunion with the Cavaliers in Cleveland. The Cavs have the best record in the NBA. The Cavs have not lost at home this season. While going a perfect 18-0 at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland has defeated its opponents by the average score of 105-89, staking its claim as Boston’s primary threat in an Eastern Conference that generally has looked like a two-horse race.
At the moment, this meeting has the makings of a potential Cleveland landslide.
But then, there’s a reason the games are played.
A picture of patience throughout his time in Boston, Rivers is now as he was then: unshaken. Two years ago at this time, the Celtics had just begun a club record 18-game losing streak that ultimately produced 22 losses in 23 games, a stretch that forever altered team history. As a result of the nosedive, the Celtics thrust themselves into contention for the No. 1 overall selection and ended up with the second-worst record in the league. In one manner or another, the fallout led to the ground-shaking events that brought Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and, as it turned out, championship No. 17 to Boston.
Maybe that is why Rivers looks at the Celtics’ recent dive and shows not a hint of concern.
After all, he has been through much, much worse and come out quite well off.
"I wasn’t that [patient] as a player and I probably wasn’t that way as a coach early on in Orlando,’’ Rivers admitted. "At the end of the day, you just kind of evolve into that, and I think that’s the best way to be."
Truth be told, the problems with the Celtics of late might be easier than one might guess. For the good of his team, Rivers just isn’t the kind to say it. Entering the Christmas Day defeat to the Lakers in Los Angeles -- the one that started this slump -- point guard Rajon Rondo had been playing like an All-Star. But during the six recent losses, Rondo has shot 21 of 54 (38.9 percent) with a disturbing ratio of 42 assists to 25 turnovers. Against Houston Wednesday, Rondo took just four shots and had four of his five assists during an aberrational Celtics burst late in the fourth quarter.
The rest of the night, Rondo had one assist; in the final three quarters, the Celtics scored 54 points. For all of the emphasis the Celtics internally have placed on defense -- they believe that defense triggers their offense -- they have averaged 89.5 points in their most recent six losses and only once scored as many as 90 points. That instance came in Tuesday’s 114-106 loss at Charlotte, a game that went into overtime.
And then there is this: In those same six losses, the Celtics have been outscored by 54 points in the second half. Their inability to execute in the fourth quarter, in particular, has evoked memories of the pre-K(G) Celtics, a young and spirited group that lacked the discipline, experience and, yes, talent to close out games.
Much of that reflects poorly on the point guard, only fueling speculation about Stephon Marbury.
Through it all, of course, Rivers has remained typically levelheaded, though that should hardly come as a surprise. Where many coaches might have started to tighten their grip, Rivers instead has elected to loosen it some. The Celtics might have practiced yesterday in anticipation of tonight’s affair with the Cavs, but Rivers instead opted to give his team the day off in the wake of a travel and game schedule that has had the club running ragged for the last few weeks.
Maybe this why Celtics players last season spoke of Rivers’s ability to recognize them as human beings first and basketball players second.
"Since Dec. 23, I think we’ve been home a total of three days,’’ Rivers said. "Let them go home and see their wives, their families.’’
In Boston, especially, the job of manager or coach is a tenuous position at best, a fact for which Rivers serves as Exhibit A. Two years ago, amid a talent shortage and mounting frustration, some called for his dismissal. Last summer, we were all marveling at how Rivers, before the season even began, took some of his players on a tour of the city’s championship parade route. Now the Celtics are certifiable contenders and Rivers rests somewhere in between, a man who has an entire city’s trust and the utmost confidence in his team, the kind of balance that every club strives for, particularly at the most challenging times.
"I get irritated with 'em in some ways but it’s in practice. I would tell you that they would say if I go off, it’s in practice and that’s where we do most of our teaching,’’ Rivers said when asked if the play of his team ever angers him. "If I don’t think we’re doing something right or if they don’t think something is important in the execution phase of our defense, that’s when they hear me.
:The only time I get upset [in games] is if I think we don’t play with the right team spirit. And that happens,’’ continued the coach. "I didn’t think we played hard in a couple of [recent] losses because of fatigue or whatever -- I thought we got out-hustled -- but as far as positive spirit and guys playing for purpose of winning, I think we’ve pretty much maintained that. We just got to maintain that.’’
In the interim, Rivers does what a most reasonable and confident man would do.
He waits.
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Great Move briging up Giddens and Walker.
Now DOC, give them some minutes, and see who does better.
We'll need atleast one of them down the stretch.
Bill Walker showed promise in the D-league as well as Giddens.
Giddens is good, but he's no Sky Walker.
Play Gabe Pruitt and O'Bryant as well.
I blame the coaching, for most of this. Doc's been lazy, lately. Not making the needed changes, to win. Release Tony Allen, Sam Cassell, and Glen Davis.
Tony's always outta control, Glen has zero NBA moves, and Sam well, thanks for last year.
Maybe they need Mark Teixeira! Can he play basketball, too?
As William Wallace warned in the movie Braveheart, "hold", "hold", "hold."
Hold the line Doc. You're one slasher away from going from very good to ridiculously great. Help is on the way, I'm sure.
I thought he should have gone after the dismal 06-07 season. He has no clue how to manage players' time. Some of these recent losses can be credited to Doc (ie. keeping scallibrine in for half the game).
Players win championships, coaches can lose them!
THANKS DOUG HENRY,YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL! LET'S GET CROSHERE
GIVE PERKINS A SPANKING,GIVE THE NEW KIDS A CHANCE AND WE'LL BE BACK IN THE SADDLE.
Rondo isn't playing great but it is tough to get assists when someone like Ray Allen goes 0 for 9 from three point land from your passes and the next night Allen shoots 4 for 13. Last year the problems the Celts had in the first two rounds was that Ray Allen's shooting was horrid. He woke up in the Detroit and Laker series and that is why those series didn't go 7.
Ray Allen is like the line in the Forrest Gump movie. He is "like a box of choclates, you never know what you are going to get". When you have a guy who takes a bunch of shots shooting extremely erratically, that is why who lose!!!
I hate to think I am just a fair-weather fan, but I lost interest and have turned my attention to other things. No longer do the Celts have my full attention as they did last year and this year up until the Lakers destroyed em. Maybe some changes like dropping a few and inserting some new ones will help.
Matt, your an idiot! You do not sacrafic your older players in January just to win one game! What would you have done, keep Garnett in for 40 something minuets with a hurting calf muscle! Those who don't know squat about B-Ball should not comment on people who do!!!
This team stinks. Cleveland, Orlando, and even Atlanta will knock these paper tigers out of the tourney in time... sigh.
Doc it's a marathon not a sprint....give the young guys meaningful minutes. I 'm sure you'll be pleased in June.
Public persona is fine....If he really cares then he has surely lost some sleep, which I believe is closer to the truth.
Please win against Cleveland...Please make it to the Finals. We really want a chance at a rematch.
Sincerely,
Laker Fan
The Celts are a great team, but we can't forget the off-season losses of Posey and Brown. That force off the bench last year was the key discriminator between us and the other good teams. We lost two solid bench players (Posey - was more than solid - a legitimate 6th man award candidate) and did not replace them. Danny needs to make some moves or we be a great top 5 team, but not repeat champions.
The Celts are a great team, but we can't forget the off-season losses of Posey and Brown. That force off the bench last year was the key discriminator between us and the other good teams. We lost two solid bench players (Posey - was more than solid - a legitimate 6th man award candidate) and did not replace them. Danny needs to make some moves or we be a great top 5 team, but not repeat champions.
YOU ALL NEED TO BELIEVE. YOU ALL SOUND LIKE YOUR GIVING UP HOPE.
WELL WOULD YOU LIKE FOR THE CELTICS TO "GIVE UP HOPE".... ????????? I THINK NOT.... SO BELIEVE IN THE 2008 NBA CHAMPS... BECAUSE THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT RIGHT NOW
Jim Rome isn't often wrong. But when he called Doc Rivers a "great" coach he was certainly wrong on that. Great players in basketball cover a multitude of coaching sins. Losing 6 of 8, maybe 7 of 9 in a couple of hours? Not a scenario for greatness.
Ever notice when Ray Allen's on we always win? Flash back to last year's playoffs against Atlanta and Cleveland, he was abysmal and the C's barely limped through.
With both Atlanta and particularly Orlando young and improving, whats needed is a "microwave" spark off the bench and another banger up front. Don't believe Marbury is the choice but trader Dan better get busy.
Agree with previous poster - Having been an Orlando fan for the longest of times, I never could accept Doc Rivers as much more than an average coach; Nice and well-spoken individual, but every year was another .500 record and a 1st round exit from the playoffs. Seems mean, but with as many franchise players as the Celtics have, even a schmuck like me could of coached them to at least a winning record. The success of this team has more to do with the talent on the bench, less so the man calling the shots.
Now, I'm not as negative as some of the other posters - The Celtics will eventually fire back and start rolling off wins; But if they don't (if they don't)....We'll, Doc Rivers will be out on his ass...
the celtics are an embarrassment. I have never seen a more gutless performance that what I saw tonight against Cleveland. What a humiliation. Do these guys have any pride at all? Or do they just want to collect a huge paycheck? Man, what a butt whippin' for a totally heartless team!
Boston had better get some bench help and quick. I don''t like Big Baby''s game at all and the only two quality subs we have are House and Powe. The Celtics need at least 2 players and they would match the 2 that they lost last year, they nee a guard/forward and a power forward or center. Until they get these additions all the NBA teams have their number. DOC can be patient all he wants, but they are crashing and burning fast. I am also tired of seeing people strip Paul Pierce, he needs to take better care of the ball.
LB
LB
Well, Cleveland won!
Now what?!
Doc needs to go. He ran us into trouble in almost every round of the playoffs last year. He consistenly mismanages the game, his players minutes, and the offense. I will hate to see thibodeau go next year, and I've been hoping for an end to this doc rivers experiment for the past three years. Promote tom t to coach and I'll be happy. Rivers it's been fun but you're an average coach. Let's take a chance on Marbury or thibodeau. Stay put and we lose in round 2.
Didn't George Bush Say the same thing "Stay The Course". Look at us now!
I am just sick!! I got the NBA Pass to be able to see every Celtic game. I hate to give up on Doc but.......He doesn't manage the stars minutes well. He lets KG sit out to long. He doesn't take Rondo out when he starts throwing the ball away with those crazy passes. He has too many mistakes. Maybe they are just tired? We need to bring somebody in to help. I think Doc needs to step it up or GO! Teams are calling them whimps! All talk and no action. Not KG! Not Paul!!!! Where is Ray? Get PJ back! Get SOMEONE!!!! Help! The Lakers can't be the champions!
Quick, somebody get Jim Kaplan's belt and shoestrings.
Folks around here are going way overboard. They went
overboard when we went on the win streak and now they're
going overboard when were losing.
Why does basketball exsist via tv....only broadcast 2 minutes of the 4th quarter....then I'll watch maybe,
All of you jokers that jump on and off the bandwagon, do us a favor and exit quietly at the next station. The real fans know that championships aren't handed out in January. We are the first team in the NBA to 30 wins....and are a game behind the Cavs for best record in the East. RELAX ALREADY.
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