Doc Rivers, anyone?

by Gordon for President on Jun 18, 2010 10:49 AM PDT

I've had this inkling that the Clippers have been super quiet on the coaching front waiting for the Finals to end to make a run at Phil Jackson. I'm not basing this on anything rock solid, nor am I claiming it is. Just my gut feeling.

Watching Game 7, I had what Jules Winnfield would call a moment of clarity. What if the Clippers aren't waiting for P-Jax, but for Doc Rivers? He's a former Clipper and reportedly loves Los Angeles (but then who doesn't). All this talk of leaving to spend time with his family I don't really buy. On top of that. the Celtics have one more year, if that.

What do people think of making a run at him? I've never been a fan of his coaching ability, I'm more into it for the fact he's been to two Finals in three years. He has legitimacy, that's what I want.

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He's going to take time off to hang with his kids or else stay with Boston

This isn’t happening, no way, no how.

….and no…I don’t think I have the SP reverse mojo.

by Newton Pham on Jun 18, 2010 10:57 AM PDT reply actions

After watching the Celtics give up late in these Finals....

I’m not so sure anymore that Doc Rivers is the kind of coach that will keep this team from giving up halfway through the season like they always seem to do. Phil Jackson seems like a FAR better motivator.

Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Panthers // Gators // Boise State
LA is the Clippers' city, the Lakers just play in it!

by 82-0 on Jun 18, 2010 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

Celtics give up late?

The Celtics just ran out of gas and it’s not uncommon for a team with as many older players to do so in the playoffs. Sheed and Garnett were running on fumes, playing against guys who are younger and longer. Allen and Pierce played 45 minutes game 7 and were wasted at the end. Artest wore out Pierce. Rondo, the young guy, played 45 minutes and was toast, too. The Lakers did a hell of a job on the defensive end, not allowing the Celts many open looks. The Celtics played with real heart to the very end, and Doc Rivers deserves credit for taking the Celtics this far in the playoffs.

by Mike Wr on Jun 18, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions

The Celtics gave up in Game 6 - the final score and watching even lower-tier players like Jordan Farmar embarrass them was evidence of that.

They also gave up in the fourth quarter in game 7. Yes, the officiating was questionable at best – but when isn’t it in the NBA playoffs? The Celtics’ poor shooting and refusal to attack inside, instead settling for bad jumpers and a half-hearted top of the key offense didn’t help matters. They looked like the team that lost to bad teams like the Nets and Wizards in the regular season, not the team that beat great teams like the Heat, Cavs, and Magic in the playoffs.

Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Panthers // Gators // Boise State
LA is the Clippers' city, the Lakers just play in it!

by 82-0 on Jun 18, 2010 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

How are the Heat a “great” team?

Twitter: @FlyByKnite

by FlyByKnight on Jun 18, 2010 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

As a team they weren't great...

but Dwyane Wade was lights out by himself.

Clippers // Chargers // Rays // Panthers // Gators // Boise State
LA is the Clippers' city, the Lakers just play in it!

by 82-0 on Jun 22, 2010 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Disagree with 82-0

Doc Rivers motivated his team…they just didn’t have anything left. Artest wore out Pierce. Ray Allen couldn’t hit shots because his legs were gone.

What’s annoying to me is that no one really highlights the road to the finals by both of these teams…the C’s had a much harder path and (almost) beat the top 3 consensus contenders. That is an amazing accomplishment that the got 2 of 3…and a good shot at the 3rd (lakers).

So, you’re throwing Doc Rivers under the bus because they couldn’t close it out? Please…

by banandy on Jun 23, 2010 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Confusing exhaustion with giving up

Perhaps, my understanding of giving up is different from yours. Giving up to me is when you fail to compete despite having the capacity to do so. The goal is to win the series. The Celts did in game 6 what many veteran teams do when down big: see if your bench can get you back into the game; if they don’t, save your starters’ energy to be as fresh as possible for a game 7. You don’t get style points losing by 10 versus losing by 20. Game 6 was just one loss.

In the end both teams were exhausted. The Lakers had just a tad more talent and won. They took it inside against the Celtics 4th quarter where they had a talent and size advantage. Using your logic, Kobe gave up in game 7 because he shot only 6 of 24 from the field and settled for bad jumpers. He was just exhausted and it showed.

by Mike Wr on Jun 19, 2010 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Celtics didn't give up

they ran out of gas. They lost yes but they went out on their shields. All of them played series-high minutes in game seven and simply didn’t have the juice to hold on. Its a entirely different way to lose than how the Lakers went out in game 6 in 2008. Now that team gave us as they lost by 39 points in the deciding game.

FA in 2010.

by ClipperChuck on Jun 19, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions

You cant say phil is a better motivator

the guy from spain is the only reason they won. If he was such a great motivatior then how did the lakers get beat by the suns being up 3 to 1 if phil doesnt have the best talent out there he loses. Look at the bulls with the same team with no jordan they were’nt winning anything. I could coach the bulls and the lakers with the team philly has had. It’s like playing spades and you have all the spades you cant lose.

by clip shot on Jun 18, 2010 11:36 AM PDT reply actions