Bill Simmons pointed out some flaws in Doc Rivers coaching style recently on ESPN.com. While I usually enjoy reading Bill Simmons, I can't help but shake my head when I read another columnist/ writer picking apart an NBA coach. The NBA is the most selfish team sport out there right now. Ultimately it comes down to the decisions the five on the court make. There is much less play calling and defense and offense reading in the NBA vs. say the NFL. With that being said there are some things that I would think, as a fan with no history of coaching (similar to Bill Simmons), where I would question Coach Rivers decisions. This is the way any columnist, blogger, or reporter should preface a critique/ complaint about a professional NBA coach.
In both the Atlanta series and the Cleveland series we've seen where the opposing teams go on a run behind some youthful exuberance. Atlanta would have Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, and Josh Childress play somewhat recklessly but they would crash the boards, take it to the hoop, grab a defensive rebound and sprint down the court. This really highlighted the Celtics shortcomings. KG puts so much effort into both his offense and defense, that at times he overwhelms himself and just can't keep up with these younger forwards. The reason being, Stone Hands/ Cement Feet Kendrick Perkins is getting outrebounded, pump faked, and beat off mediocre turn arounds, left and right. KG has to get Perk's back. Ray Allen, although at times seems to be a sufficient enough defender, gets caught up in screens and lost underneath the hoop on backdoor cuts, which leads to KG getting his back. Paul Pierce, who defended like he did in his early years, is sometimes just not athletic enough to defend against the Joe Johnsons and LeBron James's. Thus this leads to KG stepping into the lane to get Pierce's back. Ultimately, KG is often defending 4-5 guys every time down the court. That's just unfair to expect him to do this for 40+ minutes.
With that being said, the Celtics do have spark plugs on the bench who all season helped jump start the aging Big Three. Leon Powe is one of the hardest working players in the NBA. He may not have the athleticism of a Josh Smith, but he has ten times the heart and plays a lot more in control. It also helps that he has fresh legs. His biggest asset is probably his willingness to take a charge. Big Baby Davis is not athletically gifted but much like Powe, has heart and hustles every time down the court. He proved he can hang in this league in the San Antonio game this season where he gave Tim Duncan a hard time all game long (minus KG). He doesn't hesitate to throw his body on the floor or get a little physical underneath the hoop. Then there is Tony Allen who doesn't have the hops like he did pre-knee surgery, but still is extremely energetic and can control the rock on fast breaks. He will never be a player who will give you 25-30 quality minutes a game. He is the spark plug that you unleash for 10-15 minutes a game just to give players like Joe Johnson, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Kobe Bryant, fits. He's got the quicks and the instincts to defend the point. He's got the athletic ability to keep up with James and Bryant. If the Celtics get past the Cavs, then the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals and play the Hornets there, he is the best candidate to contain CP3.
Then Rivers has the veterans on the bench who change the tempo of the game. I don't blame Rivers for not giving Eddie House as much time on the floor as he did in the regular season. Teams do not run a full court press during the regular season like they do in the playoffs. The Celtics are constantly being pressed and this is something House cannot handle the rock under those conditions. He's never done it in his career and there is no way Rivers can trust him now. House cannot be the back up point, heck the alien can't and he's been doing it for over a decade. There really is no use for House unless the C's are desperate for a three at the end of the game or need to give someone a breather. House is a hot and cold shooters and often takes too long to heat up. In the playoffs you can't give a bench guy that much court time just so he can heat up.
James Posey and P.J. Brown are musts. Posey is an excellent defender and can hit the clutch three. He's also athletic enough to get up and down the court without putting his hands on his knees. Brown is obviously old and can't give Rivers that much quality time on the court, but he is still physical, he can still d up, and can hit short jumpers better then any other big on the Celtics besides KG. You can afford to send Brown out there and get physical which is huge in the playoffs.
With all of this being said, I am not a professional. I am only critiquing from a bar stool. I have no idea how to coach professional players and professional egos in the preseason, regular season, or post season. I do know that all three seasons are coached way different. I ask that Simmons and other columnists not question coaches for why they aren't doing something because there is a reason. There is also a reason why Bill Simmons is writing ESPN.com and not coaching the Celtics or even calling the game.
