Doc's Contract Extended

[eja117]

freshnthehouse said:

flceltsfan12 said:

if he was a good coach he would have done a better job with the players he had.

That's the key part of the sentance. These other teams you mentioned, they were full of veterans that know how to win. The Celtics were trowing out an AAU team every night. Like I've said before, there is no coach in the league that could've gotten this team to win.

I totally agree. When was the last time we saw Phil Jackson or Larry Brown coaching like 5 teens and 3 NBDL guys?

[Roadrunner]

I can't say I am all for Doc's extension, but let's be fair. The Celtics are the NBA's youngest team; their only "superstar" player went down; and I think the team made alot of progress. Doc did an admirable job. Van Weakly would have quit mid season; Larry "I quit" Brown would have thrown everyone under the bus; and Phil Jackson would have needed another hip replaced. Next.

[DERRENMATTS]

Yes, but we mustn't forget some of the questionable things that Doc has done; such as overplaying Brian Scalabrine, using Delonte the wrong way (Delonte didn't know whether he should be a Point or a SG--and his FG% suffered because of that), overusing Wally when his ankles were banged up, not using Leon Powe enough, when clearly he does damage on the boards and gets And-1s, etc.

He better turn into a really good coach cause otherwise, we won't be contenders.

[Roadrunner]

derrenmatts said:

Yes, but we mustn't forget some of the questionable things that Doc has done; such as overplaying Brian Scalabrine, using Delonte the wrong way (Delonte didn't know whether he should be a Point or a SG--and his FG% suffered because of that), overusing Wally when his ankles were banged up, not using Leon Powe enough, when clearly he does damage on the boards and gets And-1s, etc.

He better turn into a really good coach cause otherwise, we won't be contenders.

Good points. However, I think those are minor aspects. Mostly lessons learned (we hope).

[freshnthehouse]

derrenmatts said:

as overplaying Brian Scalabrine,

I'd say most of the time, playing Veal was the right thing to do if we wanted to win. the dude can play defense, which something about 80% of our team cannot say.

using Delonte the wrong way (Delonte didn't know whether he should be a Point or a SG--and his FG% suffered because of that),

DWest is going to be a combo guard his entire career. he'd better get used to it.

overusing Wally when his ankles were banged up,

agreed. that was pointless keeping him out there/

not using Leon Powe enough, when clearly he does damage on the boards and gets And-1s, etc.

I didnt see anything out of powe to say he warrented any more minutes then he got. the dude played well--in garbage time. ihave a hard time believing he's much of an upgrade over veal and gomes.

[DERRENMATTS]

Powe has a knack for grabbing offensive rebounds and converting "and-1s". Without Jefferson in the game, it was Powe who would provide us the necessary inside work to counter our outside attack. From my observation, Powe was a weapon that Doc failed to utilize because the more he was able to play, the more damage we did inside. And this is even without Powe using his low post offense--the guy was doing all of his damage scoring garbage points. He's a pretty solid low post scorer, second to Jefferson on the team.

Yeah, I don't think Powe outplayed Gomes, and at one point, Scalabrine was playing really good basketball (knocking a bunch of three's and playing a lot of hustle defense), but in time, we are going to see just how valuable Powe's game is because we just don't have a lot of low post strength and depth.

[meangreen]

Doc's got an extension AND [/i]we've got the #5pk in the draft . Any1 REALLY excited 'bout this upcomin yr, any1 really expect Doc 2get it and/or the #5pk 2yeild enough 2get us in2 the playoffs and not just by the skin of our shamrock

[DERRENMATTS]

Ummm .... I do ;D I thought we should have had a good year last season, and if any good came out of this past season, it was the development of our younger players (especially Jefferson). We should be healthier this season, and that'll help us to be closer to where I think we should be.

I'm still not thriled about extending Doc's contract, but this is now his time to prove that he can coach a team to the playoffs.

Ainge is also going to feel the pressure to put out a winning team. He's going to have to make some really big decisions this offseason.

[Roadrunner]

Making the playoffs is over-rated. Exceeding in the playoffs is under-rated.

[meangreen]

I agree w/u RR and that's my point . DMat, right now Im not a little bit excited 'bout the upcomn season . IF and that's a big IF we make the playoffs are we gonna be an 8th seed that's just glad 2have made it so that we can get blasted by the top seed. What makes u think that a light is goin 2all of a sudden come on 4Doc and he's goin 2get it? Doc's the type of coach that needs high caliber talent on the team already 2compensate 4his lack of coachin skill. HE'S not the right coach 4this team. If they don't make some real changes in this team durin the offseason 2get people 2think that this yr will be significantly different than last yr, no1 is really goin 2b excited .

[DERRENMATTS]

Oh, I agree, that Doc may not be the right coach. Under Doc, I don't know if Rajon will ever get to show off his true potential. The way I see Rondo's situation, it reminds me of his collegiate career at Kentucky, where Tubby Smith limited his role as a PG. Doc does the same thing in his system. We hardly run pick and rolls and the ball is out of Rajon's hands half the time.

As far as making the playoffs, we have to look at it as baby steps. If we make the playoffs, that in itself is an accomplishment (assuming we make the playoffs on the right merits, and not because the east is so weak). I am not crazy enough, or hyper optimistic enough to think we'll be title contenders next season. Making the playoffs should be our first goal, and then further goals will be set thereafter.