I hate blaming the coach. Basketball isn't like football. In football, you get a formation and a play, you basically have a couple of audibles and options to run, should a defense adjust on the fly. That is why I don't like blaming basketball coaches at the NBA level.
But, when you see Rick Carlisle with a less-talented Detroit team dominate the league for a year, in a time when the West was arguably even stronger than it is now...well, you see that the coach has game management responsibility, and time and time again, Doc has shown that he just can't do it.
Below are just a sample of some losses where Doc mismanaged the game.
1) The Detroit loss in December
Tony Allen is on Billups, and fouls him because he left his feet (Hoops 101...you just DON'T DO THAT). Granted he might be one of the better perimeter defenders on the team, you don't put him in the game at that point when Billups isn't even that quick.
2) Back to back losses to Washington
These were both poorly managed games at the end, with strange substitution patterns and questionable play calling on inbounds. Undisciplined three-point shooting also played a role.
3) The Utah loss
In March, and at home. After Ray Allen went out with an injury, the rotation of Posey, House, and Tony Allen seemed to contradict logic, as it played to the length and size of the Jazz.
Overall, he misjudges defensive matchups, as we have seen in this series with the Hawks. He is letting KG and Co. simply get tired. As a result, they are settling for threes, abandoning the ball movement and penetration that made them so well balanced and unstoppable this season, and are not attacking the basket and getting the other team into foul trouble.
When the Celtics have Posey, KG, House, etc. going nuts on the court and on the sidelines, the team is energized. During the two games in Atlanta, the Celtics seem to be going through the motions. The Hawks youth and athleticism killed them. In a playoff environment, playing on the road, are the Celtics being exposed for being aging, and able to win only in ideal circumstances?
Cassell has been a disaster, and why Eddie House isn't playing more is beyond me. He simply cannot stay with the quicker and younger guards. Davis and Powe seem to be able to compete with Horford and Smith, and Powe can guard the perimeter. Both can throw some bodies around. At the moments when the Celtics can use their young energy, they should do so in small stretches.
Josh Smith is having the series of his life, but KG should be eating him up on offense. Not sure why Doc has KG shooting jump shots, and the rest of them spread out on the perimeter. As a result, the Hawks are able to take off down the court after a missed shot and score quickly.
How the hell was Ray Allen allowed to stay on Joe Johnson while getting torched? Even after a timeout? Then Cassell came into the game for Rondo, at a time where they probably could have used Rondo's penetration and distribution skills. Pierce looked as if he was bewildered by his incompetent coach's decision at the end of the game.
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8 months ago
I think with these two teams a coach cannot get out-coached. The players are so distant, talent-wise, that if Boston losses it will be soley on the players and their inability to win over a mediocre team.
The coach factor in the Spurs-New Orleans series will be far greater.
8 months ago
I too have not liked what I've seen of Doc in the post season.
A. Leaving Allen on the Joe Johnson was clear mistake. With Johnson lighting it up Allen just didn't have the size or quickness to deal with him. When Johnson starting taking over the game they should have switched Posey on to him. I can't say why they didn't
B. I also don't like how inconsistent the Celts rotation has been. When you win 66 games you should enter the playoffs knowing who you are going to play unless a desperate situation occurs. In this series sometimes guys like Powe, Davis, Brown, and Allen are expected to produce and get a DNP others. This should not be the case.
I don't think you can balme Doc for KG not dominating down low b/c well that's KG's M.O. he not and never has been an agressive offensive player. Thats on KG.
I do agree with what you said about PP and taking it to the hole and cant help but wonder if his back is brothering him some.
Overall, it seems like the Celtics still have some identity issues. I'll give credit to the Hawk for playing very tough but if Boston wants to win an NBA championship they are going to have to put these parts together and be agressive in there roles. It seems like they are still learning right now. I'm a Knick fan but I'd like to see this Celtic team do well hopefully they will pull together
8 months ago
A buddy of mine wrote this in response to my email about a similar topic yesterday...I told him I was putting it up for him...thanks TMK
It seems the NBA teams become the persona of their superstar. Examples: the Spurs with Tim Duncan; hard-working, low-key winners. The Nuggets and Carmelo; flashy on offense and lazy on D. The Lakers and Kobe: he has matured this year and so has the team; he decided to be unselfish and so is the team as a whole. Dallas and Dirk; soft. The Suns don't know who their star is, thus have no one identity. Is is Amare, flashy runners, or Nash, poor on D? Who knows? Last of all the Celtics......with the three-headed monster of Allen, Garnett and Pierce, they don't know who the superstar is. It is undoubtedly KG, but his persona has not yet been able to take over and become the persona of the team....thus they are still unsure.
As far as the Celtics are concerned, I agree and disagree here...
When Pierce is causing problems for defenses, the Celtics dominate. If he hesitates, they struggle. He's the most important aspect of the team in that sense. Overall? The team has KG's ATTITUDE, as its the first time since the Jim O'Brien days that the Celtics have made defense any sort of priority.
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