Would A Team Meeting Help At This Point?

by Roy_Hobbs on Feb 20, 2012 12:03 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

The Celtics players, just like everybody else, are asking themselves what needs to be done to light a spark. A current topic of conversation? Whether a team meeting would help:

O’Neal: It’s time for a talk - Gary Washburn - Boston Globe Celtics Notebook

Jermaine O’Neal believes it’s time for a meeting. Captain Paul Pierce doesn’t believe it’s that time quite yet. They both agree that something has to change if the Celtics are going to make any impact on the playoffs in eight weeks. ...

"I think at some point over the next 48 hours, I’m sure we’ll have a conversation just amongst our team in terms of where we’re at mentally,’’ [O'Neal] said. "Because that’s the key, mentally for us right now. I don’t care what’s going on, we shouldn’t lose to Detroit twice in a five-day span. They’re playing good basketball but they shouldn’t beat us twice.’’

When asked if he will organize the players to meet, Pierce said: "I don’t see me calling a meeting right now. I’m not going to use the excuse that we didn’t have [Rajon] Rondo for the second half or missing out on [Kevin Garnett] or Brandon Bass. We just have to be more competitive. It doesn’t take calling the guys in for that.’’

Does Pierce's reluctance to hold a team meeting say anything about his leadership? Absolutely not. Pierce was acting like the captain he is last night, trying to get the team fired up in the huddle.

Rather, this seems to be an example of Pierce thinking that team meetings just aren't that effective. From where I'm sitting he's probably right, too. The players know they're playing poorly. They know they need to execute better, and they know they shouldn't be dropping two games to the Pistons in the span of a week. Doc has called out the team publicly and privately, appealing to their pride. Danny has threatened to blow the team up. What's a meeting going to do for them?

Between age and injuries, it's probably fair to say that this team could play with maximum focus, energy, and heart every night, and would still be mediocre. Team meetings don't give Pierce and Ray fresh legs, or Rondo a jumpshot, or JO the ability to play like a league-average center. Rather, they lead to finger pointing and hurt feelings, but no real ability to solve this team's actual issues: an old, broken team with no competent center, no ability to rebound, and a stagnant offense. Until somebody comes up with a solution to solve those things, words are basically irrelevant.

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A meeting to discuss how to turn back the clock?

Just too old. JO is giving us all he can and still looks momified(sp). PP/KG can do a good game every other week if we are lucky, Rondo looks beaten up and tired, and RA desapears way too often…trying to get Rondo off.

by cocofan on Feb 20, 2012 11:41 AM EST reply actions

+1

Exactly. Classic case of denial among not only the players but the coach as well. There are limitations to what they can do now but apparently they refused to believe that is the case. They think more practice time, talking, etc. can change how quick they move their feet on defense or run pick and rolls in the 40th minute of a grueling game.

by yakyakyak on Feb 20, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

No, the only thing that will help is a trade

And Rondo is clearly the only guy who has value on this team. Sell high on Rondo.

by Celticsdude on Feb 20, 2012 11:50 AM EST reply actions

This will sound crazy but...

This is what I would do (in my non expert opinion). I would move Paul to the second unit. I am starting to think that him and Rondo’s games really don’t fit as well as they did in the past (as Rondo takes the lead roll it hurts Paul’s game). Also I believe the “starter minutes” are wearing Paul out. IMO Paul would do better; A : with a point guard like Avery, B: playing against 2nd string players, C playing less minutes, and D: not in a situation where he is easily double teamed because they play off of Rondo. I think the current starting unit has too much age and the 2nd unit has too much youth. By moving Paul you would help a bit with this problem. The second thing that needs to be done is fine a Center. KG has to work too hard without a good Center on this team and I believe it is killing his game. Yes, I fully understand how hard that one is to fix.

by warriorspirit on Feb 20, 2012 11:53 AM EST reply actions

I would move Paul to the second unit.

o_0

by ap3604 on Feb 20, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Won't happen

Because this mix up of youth and experience would mean that Doc would need to show guts and be creative. He’s not capable of either. He won’t hurt poor Paul’s feelings.

by green solution on Feb 20, 2012 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

An exorcism may be more fitting.

by JPV on Feb 20, 2012 11:56 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Well.....let me see

I think Rondo’s jumpshot has been pretty good lately – I need to check those stats

I didn’t know Paul Pierce was in the huddle trying to fire his team up last night?….if he was..then good. Was he?

He looked tired to me once again, and he was shooting three’s when he should have been driving to the basket… but I love Paul Pierce.

You don’t make someone Captain if you aren’t going to listen to him ….and if he says “no meeting yet” then he should be in charge. You know …why pay a lawyer if you aren’t going to follow his advice…which is why I seldom hire lawyers.

If I were conducting the meeting (in my dreams) I would say:
Quit shooting threes and long jumpshots – drive to the basket!!!

Everybody but the PG quit releasing so quickly after we shoot the ball!!! everybody crash the offensive glass (but the PG) and I don’t care if we get beat up the floor a few times on Transition D!!! Just crash the dang offensive glass!!!!

Jermaine O’Neal learn how to not foul so much…you’re a veteran. If you are that slow that you have to foul then go sit down!!!!

Pietrus – do you know how to crash the offensive glass? Do you have a post up move? Can you shoot something besides threes when you are not on fire? You remind me of Antoine Walker and we cut him!!!

Rondo – keeo shooting and keep posting up?

When RR posts up I want slahers to the baskets off of screens up top!!!Avery play Defense ….distribute the ball and quit shooting unless you are driving hard to ther basket!!!!! go for the offensive weak side rebound if you are playing the SG position off the wing!!!

Dooing – quit shooting threes !!!! Slash to the basket like Tony Allen!!!!

Steamer …..you need to speed up and quit being so timid on the offensive glass – box out!!!! rebound .

JJJ - go the hole more and keep crashing the glass. Lear how to play with your back to the basket!

Ray – you’re the only one allowed to shoot threes with more than 12 seconds on the shot clock …everyone else NO NO NO …go the rim and everyone follow him to get the rebound!!!

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Feb 20, 2012 11:57 AM EST reply actions

Pierce did indeed try to fire up the guys in the huddle...

It just didn’t work out too well.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Feb 20, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, they mentioned on the broadcast that he was

by 34green on Feb 20, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

Hard to argue with the captain

The problems seem to be effort based rather than with things you can’t point out. The big 3+Rondo should know what to do, it should be second nature. The new guys should be picking things up or they just lack basketball IQ and will never pick it up completely. Then again this team playing hard every game is probably still not enough to win it all, though they remain a team no one wants to face in the playoffs.

by kg2128 on Feb 20, 2012 12:10 PM EST reply actions

I bet Detroit wouldn't mind facing us...hehehe

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Feb 20, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

This team is too soft....

And it needs to upgrade the center position….If JO’s the best we can trot out there…we need a center…..

by Kuberski33 on Feb 20, 2012 12:51 PM EST reply actions

When looking at our center production between Oneal and Bass, I think we are doing fine

Between Jermaine Oneal and Brandon Bass manning the C position we are averaging about:
17 points
12 rebounds
2.5 blocks

by ap3604 on Feb 20, 2012 12:59 PM EST reply actions

Of course we want more production from that position… but every team has a weakness at some position they have to deal with

Rondo, Allen, Pierce, and Garnett are strengths at all the other positions imo. I’ll take those odds =)

by ap3604 on Feb 20, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Love is blind

The Big Three are ancient, and Rondo is inconsistent, tempermental and immature. I’d call this more than just a simple weakness.

by green solution on Feb 20, 2012 7:29 PM EST up reply actions

shake them up Doc

Let the starters warm the bench for a while.
Pierce 15m, Garnett 20m, Rondo 10m, Allen 10m, and all the captain said is that they need to be more competitive….well duh, for that money you should eat someone alive. I don’t know what to say. Basketball is their job. Try to be “not competitive” at any other job, and you will see a boss’s finger pointing at the door in a week or two.
I am against the trade for two reasons: 1) there is nothing good that we can get in return for big 3 2) i think that they still can make a good run ( to bring a second round against Chi or Mia to 6-7 games).
But for what is happening right now…it’s IRRESPONSIBLE

by Shandoo on Feb 20, 2012 1:07 PM EST reply actions