Has it ever felt so good to be right about Doc ;D

Jeff said:
  to the Doc critics: has it ever felt so good to be so wrong?

I’ve been wishy-washy on Doc and I’ll say Jeff, your comment is SO on point: no matter how we’ve viewed him, the bottom line is he got it done, and he deserves credit.

As for his effect on Paul’s development, I think you are spot on. It may be tough at first, but you have to have guys buy in and follow you, or else you’ll never get there.

Congratulations Doc for a great year and a great job coaching this team. I have supported you vocally on here since the beginning because of your leadership and ability to keep the team together even under diversity. You may not have been the best x’s and o’s coach out there, but I don’t think there is anyone out there that is a better chemistry and motivational coach. The great “Phil” included. We were a strong team in the first and 3rd quarters all year, so you were obviously doing something right!

It is great that you were able to progress and grow in your abilities along with this team. I’m thrilled that you stayed around and grateful for the commitment to this franchise. Keep up the great work and let’s do this again next year.

I remember that moment well and agree that doc was instrumental

Now, seriously, what was up with benching Eddie House?

Have you considered the possibility that the genius of Doc lies in his ability to get the best out of his players by knowing when to bench a player and when to play him?

The best rotations or substitutions are the ones that any fan thinks he or she could have made because it seemed so obvious. Like when the player finally gets his number called and proceeds to play as if they never deserved to be benched, we think we’ve proven our point at the expense of the coach. But that is precisely the point.

By the way, I think Doc silenced his critics in style… by winning against one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA, the “Zen Master” himself.

Yes – Pierce has been the playing his best ball since Doc came on board. The talent around Pierce and the system (especially on D) were in question.

Both Jeff and “Village Idiot” hit a nail on the head.

Jeff for his on target remark that a coach has to exercise his authority to gain the respect of his best players before he can get them to see the big picture.

And “Village Idiot” for noting that whatever the coach did not do is assumed to be what would have worked, yet that is, of course, nothing more than an untestable hypothesis.

Nice article Jeff, nice comment, VI.

I remember that moment. Doc had yelled “RUN!” PP didn’t, Doc benched him. If looks could kill Doc would eating dirt from the look PP gave him as he walked by. DOc just stared stright ahead. Great move by him. The junior players picked up their game after seeing that.

I was at that game and remember it well. Doc yelled ‘Run the floor!’ after Pierce was jogging behind the play. You really don’t do that for Pierce’s benefit as much as for the younger guys who are listening. It sets a tone. That’s a Red move.

I don’t know. Somehow I think Doc was a much better coach this year, with Garnett and Allen on the team. And not so much last year, with Gerald Green, Telfair, and the Kandy Man.

he did ok and i wouldn’t touch him right now. But come on the over praise is enough

many coaches in the league even college coaches could have tooken this team far enough to win

the talent is too immense to lose

i do give credit to doc by keeping these guys close, not having any fights with the players stuff like that but in terms of rotation and strategy the jury is still out

Doc is walking around right now with his * sticking out waiting for all you Doc bashers kiss it. Just get on your knees & do it, you were wrong.

Pashm you can coach the celts to a ring. The celtics could go on auto pilot and win. Stop kissing doc’s butt

Great job Doc! you deserve major kudos for your hard work and perseverence.

Master Po and Brickowski and Iowa Plowboy are noticeable absent.

I still think a caveman coulda brought home 17 with that lineup..

Maybe its time to lose that banner, eh wdleehi?

Good to see that you are still in mid-season form Jeff…next year’s additions and subractions will be very interesting..How many more vets will be willing to play for Doc and a shot at the gold ball…?

Triboy16 – We just won the championship and want to give praise to Doc for a job well done. As much as you’d like to not give him credit he is due a big heaping plate of it. He kept 3 stars focused on one goal for the entire season. He coached this team to 66 wins in the regular season. He consistently made the right calls and plays this year with few exceptions. Amazing job.

I disagree that just anyone could have “tooken” them far enough to win. I am glad he was smart enough to have “tooken” is there.

No one could ever be sure just how great K.C. Jones was as a coach. After all, he had Bird, Parish, McHale, Johnson and all the rest. But he got the job done, and won the championship. No one could’ve done anything more. Now Doc has done the same. If you can’t take your hat off to that, then you have to be a pretty hard case.

1. I read or heard somewhere that Red told Doc to stick with what you believe in and don’t let anyone change your mind.
2. KG has said how straight Doc is with the players and he’ll tell you, whoever you are, what’s on his mind.
3. I think Tommy talked about coaches who were afraid to confront certain players and do what is right.
4. I think Doc embodies the best of all the above statements. I do think he is not totally rigid in certain things, but he is when it comes to playing within the offensive and defensive systems. You need that structure. I’m sure there are some, but I’ve not heard of a former player for Doc saying anything bad about him. I notice when he plays against teams with former players you always see him talking to them at some point during the game. They often make it a point to approach Doc. I’m glad to see people finally appreciating how good a coach Doc really is. It’s more about people management than x’s and o’s and this is where he shines.

Doc is/was a TERRIBLE bench coach. He was never a bad coach in any other aspect of his job, and a very good locker room guy.
We know he has been rough on rookies and sit players for no apparent reason. We can give him credit and be happy to have him without being ridiculous about him.

wahz- Doc is not a terrible bench coach. I think he is better than what he was 2-3 yrs ago, but is not terrible by any stretch. Time and time again in these finals commentators/coaches made comments about what a great coaching job he was doing and also that he was out-coaching Phil. I think I will trust what I see and what these guys who know much more about coaching than any of us do.

I don’t know why it is so tough for you to say something positive about him without throwing in a negative. Kind of defeats the purpose…