No Thib, now no Ray?

According to Julian Benbow of the Globe, Clifford Ray will not be returning to the Celtics bench.

In some ways, I can't blame him. I mean, who's his star pupil now? Perk will be rehabbing his knee until Jan/Feb and our other two key centers are both very experienced players (JO and Shaq). If I was a high-demand big-man's coach like Clifford Ray, would I stick around to tutor 3rd-string Semih Erden without having a pretty good idea that I'll get Doc's job next year? Maybe not.

I'm not liking the turnover in the coaching staff, not liking it at all.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69063/20100910/celtics_may_need_new_bench_coach/

bob

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bob I don't think Coach Ray has any aspirations for Docs job,hes a specialist and great at what he does,there must be some reason......either way its not good,Thibs will also be missed.

bobheckler wrote:According to Julian Benbow of the Globe, Clifford Ray will not be returning to the Celtics bench.

In some ways, I can't blame him. I mean, who's his star pupil now? Perk will be rehabbing his knee until Jan/Feb and our other two key centers are both very experienced players (JO and Shaq). If I was a high-demand big-man's coach like Clifford Ray, would I stick around to tutor 3rd-string Semih Erden without having a pretty good idea that I'll get Doc's job next year? Maybe not.

I'm not liking the turnover in the coaching staff, not liking it at all.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69063/20100910/celtics_may_need_new_bench_coach/

bob

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How long would you have liked Coach Tibs to sit in the background, when he had opportunities to be a head coach? The guy has been an assistant coach in the NBA for 21 years. Dont you think that was long enough for him to wait? If the Celtics were not willing to move Doc in favor of Coach Tibs, what were their other options?

I think Clifford Ray seems like a nice guy...but if Perk's 'regression' last season is any indication of his "great work with big men", I am not impressed. He will get an offer to work with a better young big man (like Greg Oden or DeMarcus Cousins) Not a big loss imo...and no need for any concern.

mrkleen09 wrote:

bobheckler wrote:According to Julian Benbow of the Globe, Clifford Ray will not be returning to the Celtics bench.

In some ways, I can't blame him. I mean, who's his star pupil now? Perk will be rehabbing his knee until Jan/Feb and our other two key centers are both very experienced players (JO and Shaq). If I was a high-demand big-man's coach like Clifford Ray, would I stick around to tutor 3rd-string Semih Erden without having a pretty good idea that I'll get Doc's job next year? Maybe not.

I'm not liking the turnover in the coaching staff, not liking it at all.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69063/20100910/celtics_may_need_new_bench_coach/

bob

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How long would you have liked Coach Tibs to sit in the background, when he had opportunities to be a head coach? The guy has been an assistant coach in the NBA for 21 years. Dont you think that was long enough for him to wait? If the Celtics were not willing to move Doc in favor of Coach Tibs, what were their other options?

I think Clifford Ray seems like a nice guy...but if Perk's 'regression' last season is any indication of his "great work with big men", I am not impressed. He will get an offer to work with a better young big man (like Greg Oden or DeMarcus Cousins) Not a big loss imo...and no need for any concern.

mrkleen,

I'm not begrudging Tom T his shot, I'm just saying it's a loss to us.

As far as Perk taking a step back last year, I'm not sure I agree. Statistically, he didn't by any significant degree.

On a 36mpg basis; his scoring average was the highest of his career (13.2ppg), his fg% was the second highest of his career (60.5%, 56.4% career, #2 in the league), his free throws dropped a bit (58%) but they've always hovered around 60%, same total rebounds as the previous year and the other stats like blocks and TOV and fouls are only marginally worse. Bottom line, I don't see where he 'regressed'. The team, as a whole, suffered defensively last year and defense is Perk's raison d'etre.

bob

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Perk's

sometimes new blood can be a very good thing

jeb65 wrote:
sometimes new blood can be a very good thing

True

I'm not concerned about either Thibs or Ray departing. I'm thankful for their work here and wish them well. Looking at the background and experience of the current coaching staff and that of the roster, I doubt we'll notice either former coach is missing.

As you point out Jeb; some new blood may also be very good.

bobheckler wrote:As far as Perk taking a step back last year, I'm not sure I agree. Statistically, he didn't by any significant degree.

On a 36mpg basis; his scoring average was the highest of his career (13.2ppg), his fg% was the second highest of his career (60.5%, 56.4% career, #2 in the league), his free throws dropped a bit (58%) but they've always hovered around 60%, same total rebounds as the previous year and the other stats like blocks and TOV and fouls are only marginally worse. Bottom line, I don't see where he 'regressed'. The team, as a whole, suffered defensively last year and defense is Perk's raison d'etre.

bob

I like Kendrick Perkins - but I just feel like he had a really poor second half of the season on the offensive end. I dont expect much from Perk, but he got back into bad habits of bringing the ball down after rebounds - and generally looking like he was lost a lot of the time. He was a complete non factor offensively in the playoffs. As for the whole "based on 36 mpg" - unless the guy PLAYS 36 minutes per game, it is a useless calculation.

November 2009 - 14 games - 164 total points
December 2009 - 14 games - 178 total points
January 2010 - 14 games - 157 total points
March 2010 1- 14 games - 111 total points

In the 2008-09 playoffs - Perk averaged 11.9 ppg and 11.6 rpg
In the 2009-10 playoffs - Perk averaged 5.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg

If that isnt "regression" I dont know what is.

Rumors are that Robert Parish may be the new big man coach. Personally I can't see Parish sitting in the background the way Ray did. Another rumor has
McHale coming here. That, I believe, is exactly what it is, a rumor. Why would
McHale give up his TV job for a job like that. Please don't say that he would be the next coach after Doc leaves, I really don't think that will happen. Franks is here for a reason.

Franks is a great assistant and has astute knowledge,but hes in way over his head as a head coach.