Thursday, February 23, 2012

Where's Doc? Celtics in need of a doctor!

Eye On Sports says Boston Celtics head coach
Doc Rivers isn't doing a very good job this season.

The aging Boston Celtics are on life support as they head into the annual all-star break with their collective heads spinning from a trio of emphatic losses to Detroit, Dallas and Oklahoma City – and now, they need a doctor in the worst way … as in Doc Rivers.

Despite being regarded as one of the best head coaches in the game today, I think Rivers has actually done a poor job this season in failing to recognize – and adjust to a couple of very important facts this season.

Celtics' second-year
point guard Avery Bradley.
First and foremost, Rivers should now clearly be able to see that the team’s aging core trio or Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are playing at a much slower pace now – and simply can’t keep up with their younger counterparts. Making matters even worse is the fact that the veterans are being pushed to their physical limits because of the truncated regular season.

Instead of taking a cue from Western Conference counter[art Gregg Popovich and playing his younger players a lot more, Rivers continues to ride the same aging veterans, even on the second night of back-to-back games.

Celtics' rookie center
Greg Stiemsma grabs rebound.

Instead of playing young players like Greg Stiemsma, Avery Bradley, JuJuan Johnson and E’Twuan Moore, Rivers plays his young players far too sparingly – while leaning on his veterans far too much at this point.

Playing his younger players would also serve a twofold purpose for Rivers and the Celtics as Bradley and his reserve teammates would gain invaluable experience while also saving the Big Three’s tired legs for the stretch run portion of the regular season.
Jajuan Johnson (L), E'Twuan More (R).




I know not many people will call Doc Rovers to task for his recent failures as the Celtics’ head coach, but I will! I always say that I call it like I see it … and from where I’m sitting, Doc Rivers has failed to help his team over the first half of the season – and I’m going on record right now to say that if Rivers doesn't start playing his younger players immediately, Boston could be on the outside looking in come playoff time!

No comments:

Post a Comment