Jake's Return
I always wonder if some of the coaches that have great players are sometimes overrated, I would say that I think a team with great players, but a bad coach, will always be better than a team with bad players, but a great coach. I think that this might be the case with Celtics coach, Doc (shiny nose) Rivers. I don't have a lot of stats to back up this theory, but I do know that his career winning percentage is 54%. Did you happent o see him acting like one of the players last night too? He got tossed and was high fiving guys on his way out. Very professional.
He was named coach of the year in his coaching debut in 2000 after helping the Orlando Magic to a 41 and 41 season, and just missing the playoffs. In 1999, the year before he was hired, the Magic were 33 and 17 ( a lockout year) and they were seeded #3 in the playoffs. Congratulations, on a well deserved award, Doc.
Coach Rivers, then climbed above 50% to 52% after General Manager, John Gabriel acquired Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady. A few years later Doc was fired after leading the Magic to the worst record in the NBA in '03-'04. They were 21 and 61 that year, but to be fair, Doc was fired early in the season when the Magic were 1 and 10.
The very next year he was somehow hired by the already playoff caliber team, the Boston Celtics. His first three years the Celtics went from 54% to 40% then in '07 plummeted to an awful 29% Before the Celtics had the chance to getting around to firing him, they were basically given three gifts. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and the fact that Paul Pierce then decided to stick around. Those players then of course gave Doc Rivers an NBA Championship.
Jake
SEAN'S TAKE
I agree Jake. I think Doc is overrated, and I think there are a few other coaches who are overrated. I hate Doc too, I couldnt beleive he got tossed last night complaining about the officiating. It was bad in the 1st half, for the Jazz, and pretty even in the 2nd.
The coach of the year award is a joke. It has turned into the "What team exceeded expectations that year" award. Remember how Byron Scott won coach of the year 2 years ago, only to be fired this year after 25 games?
The only defense I would say, is that I have read that Doc is big on chemistry and does a good job of getting players to mesh on a personal level and in the locker room. That can translate to some success on the basketball floor, but I dont think Doc deserves credit for getting unselfish, ready to win, veterans like Peirce, Garnett and Allen to mesh. They knew what they had to do. Plus, rumors are that they have had some chemistry issues this year.
Im glad that the Jazz havent had problems with coaching. The fact that the Jazz have had the same coach for over 20 years says a lot, and stability is maybe one thing other franchises can learn from the Jazz.
Sean
what if the nba did away with coaches? that would be interesting. Make the players take control and we'd see which players can really run their teams. obvious it wouldnt happen but it would be interesting. I guess the only thing that would be out of hand maybe would be playing time and subs. i mean, i often wondered what these coaches teach these guys at this level anyways? like in timeouts, whenever they have that "wired segment" they say things that are so general. "come on guys we gotta play some d. we have to rebound the ball and not turn it over"......nice coaching phil jackson
ReplyDeleteI have wondered that same thing. What could they possibly say to these guys that they don't already know? haha. But they can see things on the bench that the players might not be able to see while they are in the action. There are definately some coaches in the NBA that seem like they do nothing, but there are also coaches that are out there constantly telling their players whats going on. These players are on the road so much going from game to game that they don't have many actual practices to learn plays, so it really shows the skills of the team when they can play together so well.
ReplyDeletehere's the thing: doc is a very good offensive coach, and his teams execute their sets very well. he's also very good in terms of player relations and fostering team chemistry. he's not a great defensive coach, and he isn't a tactical genius. basically he's like 80% of the coaches in the NBA - very specific strengths and weaknesses, not really a true difference maker unless he has a lot of talent. there are only a few coaches (jackson, popovich, carlisle, sloan) who can get a team to play significantly above its talent level.
ReplyDeleteby the way everyone, when you're done here make sure to check out www.arjun-allthingssports.blogspot.com for candid and insightful analysis