Chandler wrote:Malcolm wrote:nixluva wrote:I don't know what it was but, Sometimes it's just as simple as you can't always fire the entire team and the coach is the easiest change you can make. Also at 5 games out they are still at the edge of being able to rally and get back into the playoff race. Not a lot of time but just enough time that a win streak could make a big difference. Often teams play better after a coaching change so we'll see.
Sorry . . . but I'm not as clear about this as most other people here seem to be.I maintain that NOBODY could have done better than what we had through the first half of the season.
It was a BRILLIANT achievement. I'm pretty demanding . . . but I didn't expect that much progress so soon. No one should have expected it -- and certainly not more.
So something drastic must have revealed itself to sink the chances of developing further from there.
It seems to me it's got to be a character issue of some kind: the Barnes debacle, lack of communication, lack of humility, etc.
Interesting. Perhaps I'm too greedy. I expected more. If your point of reference is last year, I get you. How much more could one want? But when I look at this roster I see more potential. I see some high quality players in Melo (who is playing with more balance) and KP, and some pretty decent players in Rolo AA
I look at the Celtics roster and am unimpressed by it. They're best player is a 5'9" point guard. After that you have a bunch of decent guys who would surprise no one if they were all on the bench. Their best big man is Sullinger. They are roughly 10 games over .500 now. We complain about Grant; they're (I think) number 6 pick (Smart) is coming off the bench; their first round pick this year was in the D league. They win because they have a great coach who has a system that he sticks to. (BTW when we played them we thought it was a good idea to go small and chase them all over the place, rather than play to our strengths)
That's the difference a coach can make.
Brad Stevens had admittedly a rough first season but Ainge allocated time and space. Stevens was very candid about the adjustment. My only gripe with Fish as he seemed to not relish the role and enjoy himself, or even be himself!!! I think Fish is a very intense dude and in hindsight appeared to not be very open with his public persona. If he was deemed arrogant and not respected by his team the first season would be accepted. Season two is a different story.
I'd say Phils off season signees being in and out of the dog house did not bode well for him. Would have hoped Fish could have grown into the job. Pop had a awful first season. The comments about Rondo, really no big deal but if asked just laugh it off. The Govan/Barnes thing? Its an issue when its public. Double standard I know, but that's life.
Even the Sixers coach didn't get canned, he got an extension!!! Something was up.
Yes, Brad Stevens is doing a great job in Boston in his third season! Good hire by Ainge and good they gave him time to figure it out.
2/8/2016 2:24 PM