Post by eja117 on Feb 17, 2008 14:04:45 GMT -5
flceltsfan12 said:
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1074107&format=text
Rivers tosses defense out of plans
By Mark Murphy | Sunday, February 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics
Photo by AP
NEW ORLEANS - If there was any remaining doubt that Doc Rivers is the most microphone-friendly coach in the NBA, the notion was wiped off the board yesterday.
The Celtics [team stats] coach ran the Eastern Conference All-Stars through their only practice, such as it was. The 45-minute session, which was heavy on shooting contests and light on logistics, was conducted in front of a crowd at the New Orleans Convention Center, with Rivers wired for sound.
“Hey, he’s used to working in front of a mic,” Paul Pierce [stats] said with a laugh. “He’s been a broadcaster. He’s a natural.”
Sounding more like a game-show host than a drill instructor, Rivers didn’t disappoint.
The crowd found out about his strategy the same time as his players.
“The only two (plays) I want to run are on the break,” Rivers said, his voice booming over the sound system. “I’m not going to allow Tom Thibodeau to put in any defensive stuff, but he’ll be screaming at you to get back (on defense).”
As the two Celtics in tonight’s game know, Rivers has a great sense for when to throw away the clipboard.
“He understands what the All-Star Game is all about,” Pierce said. “He understands the players, because he used to be one.”
That’s why shooting contests, capped by a halfcourt shooting tournament with a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records on hand to put a new entry on the books, dominated the afternoon event before the Western Conference stars took the floor.
“He’s been here - he’s been on the players’ side,” Ray Allen said. “He understands what is going to be important to the game and what is going to be important to the fans. He enjoys what he’s doing, and that makes a big difference.
“His background makes it easy for him to put himself into our shoes. He makes sure that he makes a team decision when something has to happen.”
It’s not a surprise that Rivers, a transition-oriented coach, wants to run tonight against the heavily favored Western Conference stars.
Rivers gets to start Jason Kidd, who is still the most exciting transition point guard in the game. He also doesn’t want any part of a halfcourt slugfest with a Western Conference squad that includes power players Amare Stoudemire, Tim Duncan, Yao Ming and Carlos Boozer.
It would make a difference if Kevin Garnett was healthy, but beyond shooting during yesterday’s practice and even attempting a halfcourt shot, the Celtics forward will next log official minutes Tuesday night in Denver - provided he works out to Rivers’ satisfaction today.
“If we play halfcourt with that team from the West, we’ll get destroyed,” Rivers said. “You have Jason Kidd, what else would you want to do?”
Even the Nets’ point guard has been able to draw some relief from his All-Star role, with a pending trade from New Jersey to Dallas hanging in the balance because one of the principals - Mavs guard/forward Devean George - is blocking the trade.
“I’m just trying to enjoy the All-Star festivities,” he said. “I’m a Net until I’m told otherwise.”
In the meantime, it helps to have a former player running the show.
“I had no chance,” Rivers said of wearing the wire yesterday. “They told me to wear this and entertain the crowd. You’ve gotta let them have fun, and when it’s time for the game, stay out of their way.”
That was even true yesterday. When the practice ended, Rivers was able to check his BlackBerry immediately for a texted update on the game between Syracuse and Georgetown, where his son, Jeremiah, is a sophomore point guard.
“They’re losing by 12,” Rivers lamented.
It's kinda clever Doc is coaching no defense for the all-star game. They can hardly get them to play at all. It's also kinda funny the way the players all say he understands them so well cause he was a player. he played one whole all-star game. Sheed oughta stop complaining he didn't get to go to the beach
