Doc Optimistic About 07-08

I’d be optimistic too, if they’d just fire Rivers.

Kind of interesting that Doc mentions Rondo, TA and DWest like this… but fails to mention Gerald, who on the surface might be the most likely to make major strides next year.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Gerald is the most likely to be dealt this offseason, and Doc knows it.

I’m afraid we’re going to move Gerald just to make “the trade” that Danny has promised us, and we’re gonna regret it in 2-3 years. I hope I’m wrong.

I think Doc has got a lot of nerve seeking an extension. If the Celtics truly want to leave the current morass they are in, a new coach is imperative. I’m glad Doc thinks we need at least a top two pick, no time to go on a win streak now. Take the money and run, Doc.

mcpu40

Agree with you, I also look at the bright side in that we will be adding another strong fixture to our club for the next few years… I my opinion the top three are Oden, Durant, & Wright.

Bring back this team healthy, another key Veteran and we will be in the playoffs next season, bearing another key injury.

Okay, so we suffered for 1 year to improve.

We took one step back to take 2 steps forward.

Too many of you are way to angry in here, instead of looking at the positives, everyone is reflecting on the now and not what the future brings…..

We have key young players, but Alan Ray, Powe, Olowokandi, Ratliff, and probably Telfair will not be with this team next year.

Dennis & Callahan (Dickerson fill-in ) this morning had a good discussion about Doc and his value to the team

Doc is an awful coach. Let him go!

No, the kool-aid induced optimism on this board is much more insidious than the negativity.

While were in the process of firing Rivers and the dancers, lets get rid of that idiot Dickerson too.

From what I hear (OK, that’s BS) Danny is thinking about going in a new direction.

How about Reggie (Solid Gold Dancer) Theus? Defensive minded, NBA experience, solid college experience and most imporatantly, played against Danny in the 80s, so they can commiserate about the way things used to be.

No self-esteem problems here, either; Check out his website www.reggietheus.com

mcpu40: your in a good mood today.. i seem to remember you as one who is often very negative?

:)

i think we’d easily make the playoffs if it wasnt for our injuries this season.. add oden and we might be a contender in a year or two depending on how our many kids develop…

but please shut PP down and let GG play his minutes. Milwaukee is going to overtake us. They are serious tankers. if shutting down bogut is good for them, then shutting PP should be good for us!

I could see Doc back next year as a viable approach for Ainge and ownerships. Let’s say he is unwilling to take a financially acceptable buyout, and there is not a optimal replacement.

There is a good chance a bunch of guys will start getting grumpy next year:

1. Gomes, West, Allen, Telfair could all be playing for their next contract.

2. West, Allen, Telfair, Wally, Green, Gomes will all be competing for limited minutes (assuming Pierce SG/SF, Rondo PF, Jefferson PF are all getting 35 min / game.)

3. Many of those guys will be feeling the pressure of an impending trade.

Doc already has an apparently good relationship with most of these guys. If things blow up, you have Doc as a skapegoat. If not you can make decisions about who is in and who is out at year’s end.

My personal opinion is that Wally, Gomes, West, and Telfair are most likely to be moved because they are all redundant, more expensive (or soon will be more expensive) than alternatives, and players who are at their ceilling, (except Telfair whose progress is blocked by Rondo.)

No extension for Doc. Just fire him and move forward. Don’t waste this off season and next year by keeping him.

Well, mcpu40, I’m not too dumb to count, and right now I count 21-49, and last year I counted 33-49. Would you like to check my math?

That’s not negativity son. Those are the facts.

I say, extend him for 1 year. That way you don’t have a lame duck coach for next year, when the team is still a little unsure of itself. If there are no injuries, and he still sucks, your only swallowing one year of salary to fire him.

And Justin, if Doc felt that Gerald was in trade ideas, I’m near 100% positive he would be talking about how Gerald is going to be amazing next year; and not the other way around.

Hey Hey Guys, no yelling at one another,

A thought:

If everyone was healthy and this team was 40-40 and made the playoffs are and we were knocked out in the first round or second round, would the season have been a sucess.

Or are we better being where we are today, hoping to land Oden or Durant and setting up a better future down the road.

We do have barganing chips with Ratliff’s salary coming off the books for next year.

So are we better off today or making the playoffs and getting knocked out in the 1st round.

Looking at it now, we should be a better team heading into next season.

Doc will have to change some of his philosophy with the team, but you can take this season and toss it away.

We can sit here with all the negatives or positives about Doc, but behind the scenes where not sure what management has said to him.

I’m torn about bringing him back for one more season

In the NBA, one guy can make a huge difference. IMHO, if we get Oden, I would be ok with having Doc here because he seems to have done at least a good job on the kids. With a big like Oden, this will allow Clifford Ray to work with him, which might not happen if Doc goes.

I think we will be so good and the pieces fit so well that Doc won’t hurt us if we have Oden. Oden, Perk at c; Al, Gomes, PP, Wally, Green, Powe at forward; Rondo, Tony, DW at guard. Even as poor a game coach as Doc won’t be able to screw this up.

Finally, if we aren’t doing that well with those riches, he will get canned, and that will be fine too

Let me add that if we have anyone but Oden, Doc will not be able to fit the pieces together. For example, Noah who is once again proving he is a terrific defender, rebounder, passer, leader and big game guy, if we pick at 4 or 5, Doc is going to not figure it out and I am using Noah as an example because he is obviously on the front line with Al. Would doc use him that way? I doubt it

Look in this sight, as in most things in life, it always seems to always break down to two groups of people. The “OPTIMIST” and the “PESSIMIST”.

“An optimist expects his dreams to come true; a pessimist expects his nightmares to.” Oscar Wilde 1854-1900

Each group gets frustrated with the others perception, Haters/koolaid drinkers, whatever! The truth is none of us can control things outside our immediate universe, but we do have control on how we choose to percieve things. Me I choose optimisim, and I stand proud to stand with others who do. For that is KEEPING THE FAITH, and that will RESTORE THE PRIDE, when those dreams come true.

â€Å"You take the same guys playing the same system and give them more experience, and I just think everything will be better. Iâ€â"¢m extremely optimistic about our team.”

I actually agree with Doc here. It’s been an awful year, but since most of the squad is young and still growing, I’m sure things will be better in 07-08. With the state the East is in, even without a top 2 draft pick, I could see this Celtics team backing into the playoffs next year with the 7th or 8th seed. Assuming the core players are healthy, of course.

If you’re trying to create an environment where teaching and gaining experience for the future are the top priority, I don’t think replacing Doc will help the situation one bit. If there’s a big trade for a major veteran, I could see bringing in a new coach as part of a fresh start in hopes of instant gratification. But otherwise, I’d rather see Doc continue working with the players. There are signs of development that he deserves some credit for, and for that I’d like to see him work with a healthier team for a while before showing him the door.

Brick those number are just stats, and statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.

If you guys who think its overwhelmingly neagtive here would look at the poll today, almost 90% think we are going to be in the playoffs next year. So, do you really think its negative here? Think about it, its pretty clear.

If the celtics make the playoffs with doc next year that means they would win at least 50 games with an adequate coach. FIRE THIS GUY, PLEASE!!!!!!!!

By the way, anyone who wants to make a big deal about Doc not saying anything about Gerald didn’t read the Mike Fine piece where he talks about how PP is mentoring Gerald and how nice it is to see.I don’t think he is down on Gerald at all, he just wants him to act like a grown up and play defense

here it is:
‘‘Paulâ€â"¢s having a lot of fun right now, and itâ€â"¢s nice working with Gerald,â€â"¢Ã¢â‚¬â"¢ Rivers said. ‘‘Heâ€â"¢s the only vet left standing, but I think heâ€â"¢s really enjoying his role right now with the team. Itâ€â"¢s really neat to watch. Heâ€â"¢s kind of overseeing the one-on-one games before and after practice. The guy most of the attention is on is Gerald. So I really like the relationship and whatâ€â"¢s going on with our team right now in that aspect.â€â"¢Ã¢â‚¬â"¢

Doc is the king of excuses among other things!

We have got to be careful what we wish for….
The first question is: How much are we willing to pay money-wise? Got to remember how much a mediocre are going for now-a-days? Have you seen Donyell Marshall(veteran) contract? or EDampier?

..and then you have got to think about the consequenses:

Action – add a veteran pg
Result – Rondo and DWest don’t play more than 15mins

Action – add a veteran big
Result – probably traded GG or 2007 draft pick or both

Action – add a veteran Wing
Result – GG won’t get any pt

..I am just saying…..I am on board for a trade, but lets just not make a trade for the sake of bringing in a 30yr-old

"Alaska said:
  Brick those number are just stats, and statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. "

not sure i agree with this analogy in this particular context but i like it. im definitely gonna have to start using that one.

coco said:
  We have got to be careful what we wish for….
The first question is: How much are we willing to pay money-wise? Got to remember how much a mediocre are going for now-a-days? Have you seen Donyell Marshall(veteran) contract? or EDampier?

..and then you have got to think about the consequenses:

Action – add a veteran pg
Result – Rondo and DWest don’t play more than 15mins

Action – add a veteran big
Result – probably traded GG or 2007 draft pick or both

Action – add a veteran Wing
Result – GG won’t get any pt

West will get plenty of playing time… on another team, as he will likely go in a trade for a point guard. Same with Gerald Green. Rondo is a young developing point, so it’s ok if he gets 15 mpg, although I think he will be able to get 18 mpg.

I’m going to give Ainge and the owners the benefit of the doubt here. Hopefully they make the right move and realize that doc and his system has been a major disapointement, along with the many other flaws of Doc as coach ( too many to write about for now) and they don’t renew his contract, or fire him for that matter.

I would bet that an anonymous poll of the players would show that they’d prefer to keep DOC as a coach. [/quote]

I suspect the same.

C’s alum Dee Brown, who was coached under Doc when he played for the Magic from 2000-2002 had this to say about Doc:
[quote]I think he is the right coach for the future of this team because he gets it. He gets that young players make mistakes and will learn if they are put in that position time and time again. He understands that his patience and persistence on teaching (he’s a great teacher) how to play and respect the game will eventually become second nature to these young players. And the players trust and believe in him and that he wouldnâ€â"¢t put them in a position to fail or that they couldnâ€â"¢t handle if it didnâ€â"¢t benefit them and the future growth progress of the team.

http://www.hoopshype.com/columns/celtics_brown.htm

 Keeping Doc could do more harm than good!! Firing him is a blessing! He did not develop anybody injuries forced his hand. Remember this is the same guy who had Telfair playing major minutes. If we had been healthy we would not know anything about our young players. They would still be riding pine. Some would be celebrating were still in the playoff race. Yeah! Only to be 4 and done! Doc has never coached a team to a playoff series victory! NEVER!!!
 Those who want him back say we are negative! I say we are being positive in our convictions that Doc is horrible. I think a different coach could better utilize the talent on this team something Doc has no clue about. When Scal is healthy Rondo doesn’t start. Does that make sense? He has proven to be the best true PG on the team and would be riding pine for a guy suited to be a career back up.

bucknerrevenge, LOL, thanks but it does fit. If you only use the win loss numbers as a statistic for evaluating the seasons, like the bikini your hidding whats vitial behind those numbers. ie; the injuries, but thanks feel free to use it, I felt it made a point while instilling some light humor, and this season we need that.

Rivers is living proof of Leo Durocher’s dictum that nice guys finish last.

I don’t care if the players hate the next coach, so long as they win for him. The players hated Bill Fitch, but they won. They hated Auerbach too— as did the rest of the league when he blew smoke in their faces. Auerbach wasn’t thinking about his next gig and did not pander to his players (except Russell, who responded to the preferential treatment by spilling out his guts on the floor every night). Auerbach only cared about winning.

And what’s this crapola about the team’s won-loss record is only “suggestive.” That’s like saying that the profit or loss of a company is only “suggestive.” Wins and losses are the bottom line.

Rivers has more re3asons for losing and more excuses for losing than any coach I’ve seen in 40 years of following the NBA. If the Celtics had normal owners instead of a bunch of preppy amateurs, Rivers would have been summarily fired after completely botching the Indiana playoff series. The fact that he’s still here— and even worse that he may be offered an extension— is simply incredible.

Just to make sure I clarify, if the injuries didn’t desimate this team, I feel we would of exceeded last years win loss record. Just as I agree with Doc on is assessment on the future potenial of this group on a growth stand point alone. Next year watch for Perk, Green and Rondo to make huge strides.

Alaska! Where have you been? Loved your “bikini” analogy because of its timeliness in bringing an air of leivity to a fast developing conflagration. Gratias!

Time for another “change of pace” question. Both Gerald Green and Durant have been labeled as “can’t-miss” pros. Gerald has had the benefit of two years of NBA professional experience. Durant has had one year of college. Both are of a comparable age and both play the perimeter, shoot well etc. Which has the brighter future?

The rhetorical questioned asked has a purpose. While BOTH have outstanding potential they differ markedly in “rate of development” and in basketball I. Q . In fact, Gerald seems to be developing at a sails pace when compared to Durant. Just look at rebounding or scoring consistency etc.

The point of this discussion? Refer back to Doc’s comment that all our young players will show improvement in the coming season….and the one player to show the most improvement will be Rondo….who has made MAJOR strides in his first year against NBA competition. No mention of Gerald Green who has improved but not as much as his hype would expect.

The bigger question is whether he will “eventually” reach his potential before he’s too old to make a difference? Great players develope rapidly and mediocre players (despite their inflated potential) seem to take forever to develop their GAME.

 They will make greater strides under someone who actually knows how to coach. I cannot believe some actually think he is responsible for Al see (Clifford Ray. All the players mentioned would still have been riding pine. How is that player development? I do not get that the only way to get better is to actually play the game.
 I agree we will be better next year kinda hard not to be better. Do I think Doc what Doc deserves is a kick in the * out the door.

If my last posting doesn’t create another conflagration perhaps my next assessment will. Delonte West is NOT an NBA calibre PG!

The foremeost necessity for a true PG is to make good decisions. Delonte still hasn’t learned when to shoot or when to pass. He is showing steady improvement but the work-in-progress is moving about as slowly as Gerald Green’s development. This is, after all, West’s third year in the NBA. Contrast his development with that of Jefferson….both have had past injuries…but only Jefferson is among statitical leaders at his position. Jefferson has also been far more consistent than Delonte.

Delonte has shown himself to be a useful/valuable bench player but he lacks the talent and instincts to be a difference-maker at PG. We’re fortunate to have Rondo on board and await his development as an offensive weapon to complement his defensive prowess.

Wow!…I just deleted an extremely acidic attack-dog type post for fear I was getting carried away…
But this I’ll say, this team healthy next year easily makes the playoffs, as is…
Doc already has coached us out of Randy Foye with his last second heroics in Miami last year…If in an effort to look a smidgen better as a coach, Doc Rivers coaches us out of the 2 spot in the draft, how do you spell Benedict Arnold???
Bring on Billy Donovan…

Trade Powe? It’s been repeatedly suggested on this board but he, like Rondo makes things happen. Although undersized, he’s got GREAT instincts and his game has room for improvement as he gains more NBA experience. In only his first year, Powe rarely disappoints but rather continues to amaze despite being “undersized”. We don’t yet know his upside and the rate at which he has developed his game suggests that we won’t have to wait forever to fing that out!

Powe needs to develop a midrange game this off season and to work on ball-handling. He has the potential to be a very good shooter and I base that opinion by citing his improvemnt at the foul line. He does have a “touch”.

Hey!, “The Big Three”…with all the writing and deleting, I didn’t even see your post…Bravo!

Brick:
And what’s this crapola about the team’s won-loss record is only “suggestive.” That’s like saying that the profit or loss of a company is only “suggestive.” Wins and losses are the bottom line.

Yes they are the same. As a successful businessman, when I am looking at a possible buy out of a business, I do not just look at the profit and loss statement as a representation as to future viability of the business. As it is “suggestive” as it too without digging deeper hides what may be “vital” ingredients as to the why’s. If your mind can not grasp this then I am sorry, you have closed it off. And striking out with words like “crappola” only makes me think of another quote:

“When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plantiff.” Marcus Tullius Cicero 106-43 B.C.

So, Alaska, when you buy one of these losing businesses for its future viability, do you keep the same management that has been losing $$ or do you replace it?

Brick…time to take a rest. You’ve MADE YOUR CASE and gamely, even valiantly defended it. True, statistics do tell a story (they are what they are) but the way statistics are used (or abused) can also tell a story. To cite win/loss as a statistical tool without qualifying significant VARIABLES like (1.) Injuries to key personnel or (2.) fielding a team of raw “bench” players as a starting NBA unit constitutes ABUSE of statistics.

Wheter Doc is a good or bad NBA coach should be addressed in light of all the facts and not through MISUSE of statistical data merely to defend a “personal” opinion!

It’s like saying that the defenders of the ALAMO were not good soldiers because they lost the battle (whithout qualifying that they were vastly outnumbered etc.).

ding, ding, ding,,,,,,,,,,,,, Yoooooo Adrian !!!

Guys that’s what it’s like in here today

We’ve must of eaten our Wheaties this morning……… Many of us are split down the middle with all this.

Common sense guys….. Wait till after the season to critique this team…..

Rivers might make the decision for us…..

And let’s wait and see where we land in the draft order……….

This year was an aberration…. we didn’t expect the rash of injuries to this team and we did see what Green, Jefferson, and some of the other young guys brought to the court.

All this criticism of Doc. What about how he’s nurtured and coaxed Scalabrine into the holder in perpetuity of the Walter McCarty Little Big Man award. Does anyone out there really believe that without Doc’s coaching Veal would be the player he is today. By the way, let’s hope the Celts don’t rush Veal’s return to the lineup and aggravate the Little Big Man’s injured hammy.

Moskqq, thank you brother but I am always here everyday. Remember, Silence is one of the hardest things to refute. LOL But really living in Alaska I’m 4 hours behind your time, so when I read comments I find that fellow optimist like yourself, Acient Red, Truegreen, Eric W and others make great post to counter the pessimist. I do not feel repeated post per thread on the same points show ones wisdom, but takes away from the importance of when one does need to post.

That said, on answer to your Green/Durant question. My humble opinion would be Durant as being quicker to develop. My reason for this in the article I read awhile back where it said one of Durants earlier coaches did not let him play pick up games but instead work on drills so as not to pick up bad habits. As good as Green is I think along with teaching a coach has to break even good players of “bad habits”. Of course this is subjective, and we won’t know until each plays out, but objectively this would be how I would bet…Keep the Faith, Restore the Pride!

Every team has injuries. It’s part of the game. Celts have been hit hard by injuries but so have other teams. It’s how the coach and players respond to the injuries. Other teams with injuries have already fired their coach. A free pass based on injuries is merited with a good coach. Doc is not a good coach. To his defenders I say, have you watched the past 3 seasons? I have, every game. Doc is not a good coach. Not a good games coach and certainly no a good X’s & O’s coach. And Brickowski, I agree with 95% of your basketball opinions.

oh and I feel both will reach thier potential within a very acceptable time frame. Peace

What Scal lacks in talent he more than makes up for in basketball IQ. He moves well without the ball, passes well, constantly sets screens as he moves through the paint etc. and makes very good decisions. He plays a tough defense and in most respects he acts like a “coach on the floor”. It’s regretable that our team basketball IQ, undersized balance and talent level has been so low this year that Scal has received significant PT but he has played to the best of his ability and the efort is always there.

I have to admitt I am having fun today….LOL

â€Å"You take the same guys playing the same system and give them more experience, and I just think everything will be better. Iâ€â"¢m extremely optimistic about our team.”
—————————————————————————

…….and what “system” are you referring to, Doc?? Is it that epic defensive “system” where your center ends up at half-court after running at the perimeter shooter when the shot goes up? Can one get better at not guarding the inbounds pass? Can a team get better at running a play when one isn’t called on the last possession of a game?

I’d settle for an AAU coach right now….at least they’d teach a zone defense….and probably could break one offensively, too.

I’m with Brick.

I agree with Brick. Let’s fire Doc and bring Reggie Theus in here.

Doc has done a good job keeping the locker room together, acting as a father figure and establishing a level of professionalism for the team. There really have not been any off-court issues with this team and that’s to Doc’s credit. But his actual in game coaching is not that good; an improving team needs a top level X and O guy.

Wow, I come back and refresh and the post have a new oder I have to laugh. Moskqq you proved my point brother by answering Bricks question to me without me having too. Variables, management might not be the only reason profit and loss is down, many variables should be taken in to make any sound decission. Do do anything less would be folly. Sometimes to see a problem clearly is to step away from it, don’t let your emotion, (closeness to it) overrun your objectivity. Same as when if your to gamble, they always say, the worst team to gamble on is the team your a fan of.

Life is never as simple as black and white, no matter how much we’d like it to be.

Discussion is an exchange of knowledge/ideas; arguement is an exchange of ignorance.

Remember to discuss not argue.

Siggy said:
…There really have not been any off-court issues with this team and that’s to Doc’s credit.

Except for the Tefair “medallion” incident in NY (which Rivers made worse by lying about it)… and Tony Allen’s accidental punch (that happened to break someone’s eye socket)… and Orien Greene going 95 mph on Main Street in Waltham… and Delonte West’s crazy girlfriend… but hey, not a single conviction yet.

I wonder whether the decision to terminate Doc has been made, and communicated to him. To save face, Doc can say that he will not return for the final year of his contract, unless he gets an extension. The Celtics, in turn, only need to hold Doc to his original contract (and perhaps say that the situation will be reevaluated after next season).
Doc — being a man of principle — then appears to voluntarily walk after this season. There is no firing, but Doc won’t be back next season.

Sort of a “win-win” resolution.

Well, mcpu40 (aka Dr. Feelgood) I don’t hate Doc Rivers. I have utter comtempt for his coaching ability.

But I do hate bad basketball and I’m really sick of watching it. How can you have a 5 million dollar coach and a team with a 62 million dollar payroll without the vaguest idea of how to attack a zone? Or play a zone? And what’s even worse, in the NBA there is only one zone you can play, a 2-3. God forbid he had to coach against a 1-3-1 or a 2-1-2.

Am I missing something here?

Well Brick and mcpu40

Wyc on WEEI really didn’t endorse Doc going into next season and addressed some of his issues with leaving the team to visit his kids down in florida…

We’ll know the answer quickly after the season, but my guess from all intents and purposes he may just decide to hang it up.

Wow what a day on the blog. I needed to copy a few of those quotes down so I could pretend they are mine later when talking to my friends. I agree with the post indicating that we should wait until the season is over before we worry about who is coaching next season. No matter what the reason the players are playing hard, the right players seem to be getting the minutes, and moral on the team seems to be good even with the present record. Lets have a moratorium on the fire Doc and Danny line and see how the off-season transpires. A good draft pick, a developing young post player, and an exciting young point guard should be enough to fill the glass at least half full.

Rivers has lots of redeeming qualities. For starters he appears to be a nice guy and a good family man.

My late Uncle Vincent was a nice guy and a good family man too, but neither he nor Doc Rivers has any business coaching in the NBA.

Look mcpu40 and Brick, you should both agree to disagree, niether will convince the other to see it thier way. You both should of realized this long ago. Doc here or not is out of all of our control. Brick has said if Doc returns he will follow the Raptors, that he can control, my heart goes out to the bloggers there….LOL just kidding brick, and for hondo..one last quote.

“There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist.” – Mark Twain

OK one more from me…to leave the site on a laugh.

A pessimist is a man who thinks all women are bad. An optimist is one who hopes they are.

Why did we fire Jim O’Brien again??? Doc is a joke go back to TNT and commentate.

The real instigator is Jeff who consistently manages to come up with controversal (yet relevent) topics for discussion that somehow end up becoming a forum for POETS and PHILOSOPHERS. The combatants contrite handshake after a misstep reminds me of the forlorn friend who acts excited to see you and proves it with a hug (while he quietly lifts your wallet). A fun day to be sure!

Brick, I gotta ask you this question as I am sure all of the Bloggers would love to ask you Mr. Negativity. Do you like the modern day NBA where 18 year olds become millionaires? Red probably wouldn’t coach in this league bec in case you keep up with the nba which it is apparent you don’t, hated coaches don’t last. Denver is slowly crumbling bec Carl is a jerk. PJ Carlisimo didn’t last because Sprewell was not the only player he clashed with. Phil Jackson won titles yes! However, Shaq fell out of love with and look LA is struggling out West.

If some players like PP don’t necessarily like Rivers at least they respect the job he has done with the young guys and squeaking out this many wins when a lot of guys have been hurt and team unity has taken time to develope.

I haven’t answered the question of who should replace Doc because I can’t think of an single pro or college coach I would want. I have a friend who loves Larry Brown, I don’t know about that. Look what happened in Philly and then in New York regardless of Isiah. I don’t think any of the current and successful college coaches want to coach young Millionaire players.

Brother Brickowski: Your name rang a nostalgic note so I’m wondering if the following info is any way related to you. August 14th, 1959, Bayville, New York?

Sorry for the NUMEROUS typos and misspelt words, as in relevent instead of relevant etc., etc. No excuse….

Hey, my wallets missing!

Opps, sorry my mistake….I have three, anyone missing one?

This board IS getting tired. Thanks for your kindness in not calling me for using the word misspelt (no such animal) instead of misspelled.

Doc longing for T allen is truly wishful. It took Tony’s head a long time to shake a meniscus tear. Full ACL and we may never see the T.Allen that I give Doc some credit for bringing back. Danny-Doc-the injuries-the talent…too hard to know what to change just yet but I wouldn’t extend Doc. Coach for your new contract Doc. Who do you think we are….the Knicks! And by the way, the Bruins changed everythng – GM, coach, players and are in the same place. “Sometimes [doing] nothing is a real good hand” as Cool Hand Luke said. Stay calm, stay the course. We will beat Orlando tonight and Gerald will score 25

Doc is the perfect coach for right now….so we can stay in the bottom 2 in the league and get lucky with those ping pong balls, if we get ODEN we are a contender instantly with Pierce Oden Jefferson Gomes Green Rondo and a new coach that can win close games, lets get Pierce a championship

Like Doc. I am positively tickled about the possibilities for next year. This group of players has most of the skill sets you need for a decent team. Defensive stoppers (TA, Perk, sometimes Al), Scorers (Al, Pierce, GG), Rebounders (Perk, Al, Pierce, Gomes [when he gets minutes]), PGs (Rondo [great upside], Telfair [needs the right teacher]). The only problem is the coach, or more specifically, the system.

What do all Celtics championship teams have in common? They played running basketball and played defense. The only teams currently that run consistently are Phoenix and Dallas. San Antonio can run if it has to, being so versatile, but don’t do it as a strategy to win most of their games. If you think about Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, and the Kings from 1999-2003, they had shared a lot of commonalities. Each team had 1-2 bona fide superstars (Nash/Stoudemire, Dirk, Duncan/Parker, Bibby/Webber), skilled role players (Marion/Barbosa/Diaw, Terry/Howard, Ginobli/Bowen/Horry, Peja/Vlade/Bobby Jackson/Miller), and a coach with a great system (D’Antoni, The General, Pop, Rick “don’t ask me to win a championship” Adelman). Hint: The best teams on this list Dallas and SA actually play defense.

The point is the Celts haven’t played good running basketball since 1988. That was how we used to hang all those banners in the Gahden. Don’t talk to me about people getting hurt, show me you got a system that can make absolute scrubs into household names. I mean, seriously, would you want to sign Doug Christie, Peja, Chris Webber, Bobby Jackson, Speedy Claxton, Michael Finley, Raef LaFrentz, or Stephen Jackson to a big time contract now? Oh wait, a whole bunch of teams did already.

Danny has made some good picks in the draft. The players have a lot of great skills that could exploited in the right system. Yet, we are forced to watch in horror as these kids try to learn different fundamentals of the game. The fundamentals are for off-season and training camp. Get these guys to LEARN A SYSTEM. Simplify the game to utilize their strengths. Move the ball with the pass down the sideline on fast freaks and spread the floor. In halfcourt, keep MOVING. Get Pierce to simply catch and shoot off screens. His midrange game is the best we have seen since the late Reggie Lewis! Look, the Utah Jazz basically only had one play (Pick and Roll) and every team knew it was coming, yet nobody could stop it.

Doc Rivers does not have the “winning system” we need. Plain and simple. Get someone who can coach that system to a group of talented players. Rick Adelman’s available. Someone on Phoenix, Dallas, and the old Kings staff should be available. Hell, K.C. Jones is available. Tommy Heinson would be available for 1 year. He’d teach those guys to run! If Wyc and the ownership don’t realize that, Danny doesn’t remember why/how his championship team won, and Doc can’t morph into Red Aurebach right now, then get rid of them all.

Had not thought about Adelman, not a bad idea. He did a lot with the Kings. Not a bad idea. Gotta make sure he is willing to work with young kids.