Doctor Cool

by Jeff Clark on Dec 5, 2009 12:07 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

You know, sometimes we don't appreciate Doc enough. Some coaches would have panicked or messed around with trying something drastically different and created more harm than good. Doc just played it cool and let his veterans figure things out. Via the Globe.

The Celtics' precise execution sent a message to the NBA that they are curing their early-season ills, but the past six days was even more critical to the teams' psyche. Three home losses and a couple of ugly wins caused apprehension, although coach Doc Rivers never showed a hint of panic.

Behind the cool demeanor and bright smile, Rivers allows his team plenty of room to find themselves. So while the region may have been uneasy with the 9-4 start, Rivers could be seen sipping on a Smoothie.

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Kobe

Why did I have to watch the last quarter of the Lakers game last night? I always like a day when the Cs win and Lakers lose. That’s mean spirited and my kharma caught up with me. Bynum is the key. If Perk can neutralize Bynum and Rondo get any kind of jump shot we can match up. I hope Baby is ready soon because we’re going to need bodying up in the paint. Is there any more annoying player than Pau Gasol?

by thereallargejames on Dec 5, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions

Will The Doctor win a second CotY?

Or will Phil Jackson win his second?

by adubson on Dec 5, 2009 12:44 PM EST reply actions

boo birds

Where are all the CHICKEN LITTLES this week. The sky is falling. This week Doc is cool. This week there is no mention of the team being “too old”. Writers write to get readers, to stir controversy. Fans remain fans. Everybody has an opinion. Fortunately, these opinions have little to do with the reality of what goes on with the team.

by old_fan on Dec 5, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions

You want "reality"?

The Celtics` 7 game winning streak has come against teams that are a combined 24 games BELOW .500!

San Antonio, at 9-7, has the best record of any of those 7 teams.

True, Boston has looked much better this past week.
But, let`s also keep things in perspective.

by Title 18 on Dec 6, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions

Who the heck

freaks out after a 9-4 start anyway? Memo to those who do: its not the end of the world if the Celtics don’t go 82-0 or even if they don’t break the 72-win record. Jeez.

by misterx2day on Dec 5, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions

100% agree. a couple of 7 game streaks are good to get the confidence up for the playoffs. championships are won in June.

by vgarcia890 on Dec 5, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

Doc's the man

Period.

by Greg Payne on Dec 5, 2009 2:19 PM EST reply actions

For what it's worth

After checking in daily over the summer to get my Celtics fix I actually had to stop visiting the blog because the negativity and bleak outlook was too much for me. Discussing trades after only a couple weeks… Posting polls about panicking… Bailing on the same guys we were ecstatic about two months ago…

Keep the objective analysis for Donny Marshall. Give me more Tommy.

by Seeing Green on Dec 5, 2009 2:43 PM EST reply actions

Keep in mind, some of those who were giving up on this season and trade Ray Allen are also the same people who declared themselves Toronto Raptors fans a few years back.

Some people like to pretend they have it all figured out.

by Cousin It on Dec 5, 2009 2:55 PM EST reply actions

never panic but realistic

Never have been a big fan of doc when it comes to using and bringing along our young guys ,the lakers are the champs and are stacked but mbenga,morrison,powell,brown,farmar,odom,every person gets playing time not just garbage time either and phil does’nt have to do that they could easily do the same thing we do but he knows they are on the roster for a reason and gives them opprotunities in real game time, but he will say he has to cut paul ray and kg minutes and will consistently overplay them and I will re-state that a backup pg is needed badly so let’s see what’s good with hudson or trade our expiring contracts and get one bcuz house nor daniels is gonna be sufficient come playoff time and it really wouldn’t hurt to get another big our only real post presence on the roster is perk kg does his midrange turn arounds and jumpers sheed stays outside to spread the floor and big baby is another mid range big and the whole ray ray thing if you are a C fan gauranteed at times this season and in the playoffs he will disapear for a couple weeks at a time and as we saw before for whole playoff series so excuse me if I get pissed at him when he can’t hit nuthin and decides to dribble his way into a turnover .I love our team believe me but if we want 18 we still have areas that need to be addressed and if we don’t believe me playoff time will remind us

by reggie_35 on Dec 5, 2009 3:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I think you have some legitimate points buried in there.

Unfortunately they ran off the page along with your sentence …

by mmmmm on Dec 5, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions

doc’s a good guy and a good coach, but it’s not all good or bad. i agree wth reggie 35’s points, and am rosier about ray.

by nazzbo on Dec 5, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions

Yes Doc did not panic ...

which was great since I also did not and posted various comments on posts during the C’s slump that all us Celtic fans should just relax and that the C’s would snap out of the funk they were in.

But he did deserve some criticism during the slump especially pertaing to the teams offense shot selection when during theri slump they were taking way to many deep outside shots and 3’s.

I give him credit recently for changing the offensive game plan during this winning streak in which we have now see the team is taking many more low post shots as opposed to outside shots and 3’s which is improving their field goal % and is helping them now win games again.

by fordescort on Dec 5, 2009 5:59 PM EST reply actions