Post by esco33 on Dec 30, 2005 12:06:04 GMT -5
I saw a poll on another message board that asked what the reason was for our poor defense. There were different choices, and I first thought that lack of coaching might be the logical choice. As I thought about it a little more, I came to the conclusion that lack of good leadership is the key reason behind this.
This is no jab at Paul Pierce. He is having an MVP type of season, and I would not trade him for anyone but a few people in this league. (I am not for the rebuilding plan just yet. It is too early.) But he isn't a vocal guy. He doesn't motivate the people around him. This isn't a bad thing. That is just who he is. He does not talk a lot but quietly goes about his business and averages 26 points, 8 boards, and 4 assists.
Two guys that we had last year, that are no longer here anymore that probably were the two most vocal guys we had were Toine and Payton.
Despite Antoine's erratic style of play, and his shortcomings, this guy LOVED to play the game of basketball, and he was always able to lead the players around him. Same goes for Payton.
I will never forget, even though we lost the series to NJ that year how Toine got into the ear of Pierce, and basically said "forget him, forget him", not quite in those words, when Kenyon Martin and others were getting into Paul's head. We winded up winning that game.
This is what is missing from this team today. Doc is a pretty good motivator, although lately I am not so sure. But we need someone on the court that is vocal, that can rally the troops together, and get everyone on the same page when their not.
Pierce has even partially admitted as much in the paper's today talking about him and Ricky being the one's to do this, and setting the table defensively for the rest of the team.
What do you guys think? This is essential. I think some of our players either need to become leaders like this, or we need to acquire players that have this type of ability. I think if we have actual leaders that the young guys especially, and the rest of the vets can look to then they will start to play better defense individually as well as a unit.
I think Delonte can eventually become this type of guy, but right now he is still young and understands this, so he is waiting his turn.
This is no jab at Paul Pierce. He is having an MVP type of season, and I would not trade him for anyone but a few people in this league. (I am not for the rebuilding plan just yet. It is too early.) But he isn't a vocal guy. He doesn't motivate the people around him. This isn't a bad thing. That is just who he is. He does not talk a lot but quietly goes about his business and averages 26 points, 8 boards, and 4 assists.
Two guys that we had last year, that are no longer here anymore that probably were the two most vocal guys we had were Toine and Payton.
Despite Antoine's erratic style of play, and his shortcomings, this guy LOVED to play the game of basketball, and he was always able to lead the players around him. Same goes for Payton.
I will never forget, even though we lost the series to NJ that year how Toine got into the ear of Pierce, and basically said "forget him, forget him", not quite in those words, when Kenyon Martin and others were getting into Paul's head. We winded up winning that game.
This is what is missing from this team today. Doc is a pretty good motivator, although lately I am not so sure. But we need someone on the court that is vocal, that can rally the troops together, and get everyone on the same page when their not.
Pierce has even partially admitted as much in the paper's today talking about him and Ricky being the one's to do this, and setting the table defensively for the rest of the team.
What do you guys think? This is essential. I think some of our players either need to become leaders like this, or we need to acquire players that have this type of ability. I think if we have actual leaders that the young guys especially, and the rest of the vets can look to then they will start to play better defense individually as well as a unit.
I think Delonte can eventually become this type of guy, but right now he is still young and understands this, so he is waiting his turn.