Praise For Doc

by Jeff Clark on May 29, 2008 8:31 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Kelly Dwyer had some very complimentary words for Doc Rivers and his staff:

You can really tell that the Boston coaching staff had these guys ready to play. Plays were anticipated; picks were called out and steeled for seconds before the Pistons even got around to setting the damn things. Boston had Detroit's defense and offense sussed out from the absolute beginning.
And you know what? It almost didn't matter, because Detroit is that good. On the road, they still managed to make this a one-possession game in the final minutes, in spite of Boston doing just about everything right. God, what a game.

Also Chris Sheridan applauded Doc's choice of late game strategy:

Props to coach Doc Rivers, too, for having his team foul the Pistons twice in the final 15 seconds rather than let Detroit attempt a game-tying 3-pointer. If you ever want to get a lively debate among coaches going, ask them what the correct strategy is in that situation. Those who say you should foul are just as adamant as those who say you should not, but in this case, Rivers' strategy worked.

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Can’t believe I’m the first to comment. My ex-girlfriend always told me I was the first.

Anyway, regarding the topic, now you know why Danny hired the man.

by DrD on May 29, 2008 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

On the road, [Detroit] still managed to make this a one-possession game in the final minutes, in spite of Boston doing just about everything right. God, what a game.

Nothing to do with coaching, but what on earth is Dwyer talking about? The Celts did not do “just about everything right”. They committed way too many turnovers, gave up too many free points, and couldn’t pass out of the trap to save their lives.

I always thought the “foul or not foul” question was easy: you foul, so long as you have a couple of good free throw shooters on your team. To me, Doc’s call was a no-brainer, but Sheridan is right: some coaches would disagree.

by Roy_Hobbs on May 29, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

The Cs struggle vs Zones. They look very inept in those situations when the other team is down by a lot and have to resort to a gimmick. But the gimmick always seems to be effective. Just put Garnett on the foul line.

by Greg37 on May 30, 2008 7:41 AM EDT reply actions