Straight from Sam's Shoulder (SSS)

The State of the Celtics

Throughout the early going of the season, I've been saying it wouldn't be wise to try to develop a read on this team until the 20-game mark. Well, it's now the 20-game mark. So here goes.

An .800 winning mark for a team integrating some important parts speaks volumes.

A team with a predominately older core doesn't go 16-4, despite having suffered significant injury hits among nearly half of the rotation (JO, Shaq, Rondo, Delonte, Perk), without giving us all reason to be legitimately excited. Yes, they still have to face some of the league's iron for the first time (particularly the Lakers, Magic and Spurs). But it's not the quality of the competiton, or even the winning record, that most excites me.

It's the balanced way they're playing.

Earlier Garnett Celtics teams had defense as their trump card, to varying degrees depending on the season. I never thought their offense was particularly smooth or reliably dominant, as there often seemed to be an internal tug of war as to offensive playing styles. Now they all seem to be on the same page in presenting a variety of offensive looks—all of which are netting some high-percentage shots and relatively easy hoops. Thus, they are developing consistently dominant trump cards at both ends of the court.

Everyone knows that I'm not a slave to basketball statistics—far from it. But look at these per game averages for the most recent five games and (where I could find them) for the 2008-09 Celtics champions:

Rebounds: Celtics 41.5, opponents 37.2, 2009 champions 42.1
Assists: Celtics 27.6, opponents 19.6, 2009 champions 22.7
Points in the paint: Celtics 54.0, opponents 36.1
Fast break points: Celtics 13.4, opponents 10.5
Turnovers: Celtics 12.6, opponents 14.4, 2009 champions 15.6

For an older team to lead opponents in categories reflecting power, tempo, teamwork, and ball protection? Those are directions in which these Celtics are headed; and it's all pretty impressive stuff.

Sure, I know it's hardly fair to compare five games (in which the best opponent was either the Blazers or the Bulls) with an entire championship season. But it is interesting to have some point of reference for the trends in which this team is making positive headway. And they're doing it home and away.

Their replacement parts are filling needs seamlessly.

Last season, I felt that lack of player combination continuity (mainly due to injuries) cost the Celtics dearly throughout most of the season, although they fortuitously seemed to recover for the playoffs.

This season, they're also suffering from discontinuity, and yet it's not seeming to matter much. There's an amazing ability of players to step in and immediately fill in beautifully and without much (if any) loss of efficiency (Shaq, Davis and Semih for Perk and JO, Nate for Rondo, even Wafer for West today). In his short stint, Delonte West had absolutely no difficulty in meshing with the new bench.

There may be a multi-player tie for most improved player on the team.

Who is the most improved holdover player on the team? KG? Glen Davis? Rondo? Nate? Quis? These are at least five legitimate candidates (two of them veteran starters) among the nine most prominent rotation players. That added value in something like that could be the equivalent of adding at least one all-star to your team.

The single best energizer/jump-starter in the league may be a guy who ironically can't even jump.

I seldom care about individual awards; but, if Glen Davis isn't the runaway league leader for sixth man at this point of the season, I'll eat my hat. As a predominately bench player, he leads the league in charges taken and has made almost an art form of it. Among Celtics who have been rotation players for all or most of the season, Glen ranks:

2nd on the team in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes
2nd among big men in assists per 36 minutes
2nd on the the team in LACK of turnovers per 36 minutes (GREAT hands)
3rd on the team in total rebounds per 36 minutes
3rd on the team in steals per 36 minutes
4th on the team in free throw percentage
6th on the team in points per 36 minutes
6th on the team in assists per 36 minutes
6th on the team in LACK of personal fouls per 36 minutes

He's shooting .500 from the field. He's their best creator of power points in the paint while also possessing a very accurate jumper from outside the key. He's Doc's center of choice down the stretch—the very embodiment of Red's credo that what matters is who finishes the game, not who starts.

He comes as close as any Celtic to being a secret weapon. And he's still improving.

A fresh and free spirit

The Russell Celtics were not always the most conventional aggregation. But even the unusual, quirky things they did seemed to have a way of improving things. That's Shaq in a nut (pun intended) shell. He has incredibly become as easy to like as he was to hate. But, more than that, he is contributing an ingredient that was previously lacking on the team. In essence, he has become yin to KG's yang. A constant reminder that intensity is great, but even intensity needs an occasional respite to maintain its edge.

When one thinks way, way back, the most apt comparison to Shaq's current playing style was the man to whom Shaq reached out not long ago—George Mikan. It would be over-simplifying things to suggest that George just stood there, caught the ball, and dropped it into the basket, because George's game included many nuances such as positioning that enabled his uniqueness. But Shaq at both ends has a sort of—how shall I say it—physical solidarity and stability that's definitely reminiscent of old number 99. And, like George, Shaq knows how to parlay his singularity into winning basketball. His desire and the collective desire of the rest of the Celtics represent a perfect match. And his influence is a major element in what Jeb correctly refers to as keeping them loose.

The shaping of a potent ethic

Just as a child's personality is formed (according to Freud) during the first three years of life, what seems to be an indelible Celtics team ethic is coming together during the first quarter of the season. It features tenacity; remarkably intuitive, shared instincts; teamwork; extra effort; complementary skills; an insatiable desire to improve; joie de vivre; coachability; an inventory of interchangeable parts; intense focus; and a gradually growing instinct for closing out games. Continuing to hone this last factor (the killer instinct) will be an important goal with the passage of time, as will avoiding a tendency to play down to the opposition, re-integrating the walking wounded as they return to the fold, and girding against the ever-present specter of injury.

In regard to the possible impact of injuries, the best deterrent the Celtics possess is arguably the guy who deserves huge kudos for orchestrating everything else I've been talking about—Doc Rivers. It was evident last year how much Doc believes that a truly contending team requires players who are not more than minimally compromised physically. His policy is to rest a player until he is well; and, if time runs out on the rehab, so be it. Unless a bird can fly, he's better stay under cover even if he can still walk. The current situation in South Beach alone is evidence that we will never be able to honor Doc to the degree he deserves for his contributions to the Celtics franchise—especially in optimizing the effectiveness of a group of veterans. If we are fortunate enough to watch a victorious parade next summer, it would be only fitting if Doc were situated at the head of the duckboats attired in—what else—a Roman toga. I happen to believe that Bill Belichick has nothing on Doc.

Hopes of an inveterate non-predictor

I've seen all I need to in order to establish what the potential of this club is; and it should only improve with a fuller complement of players. The potential is quite obviously of championship caliber. The task of capitalizing on this potential against all comers will hopefully challenge these guys enough to keep them fully invested throughout the season and throughout the playoffs.

Go Celtics! Toga! Toga!

And best to all.

Sam

Sam

I really loved that last post,in another thread worse and I were complimenting Doc and his system and Rondo,KG,Pierce,etc on how well they have integrated Shaq into this system and how effective it has been;something Lebron could not figure out.

To see KG and Shaq patrol that paint with Pierce doing his thing and Rondo and Ray doing his thing,no wonder Rondo has so much more assists.You can't leave Shaq like you could get away with Perk,hes gonna clog the middle for Rondo,limiting his drives,hes gonna be exposed on the pick and roll?......nada.

Shaqs positive impact and KG's return to health have been the best thing about the season so far,thats why Rondo has been able to go nuts on his assists.Even if the ball doesn't go to Shaq,all the pressure he wreaks to not allow him to get to his spots,opens up so many lanes for our new and improved offense.He has opened up the floor and our spacing has never been better.

To see 4 HoFers on the floor with a young speed demon like Rondo directing things and all playing unselfishly off each other has really carried the team,despite all the injuries,and been a joy to watch.Look out when we really get all our parts back.

cow

Cow,

No argument from me on anything you say. I believe Shaq's impact on the Celtics is actually greater than if he were earlier in his career. It's like a perfect storm. Four guys have skills that have eroded just enough so they complement one another rather than being superfluous and getting in one another's way. And the fifth guy is at a similar point, except that his skills are on the rise. Basically, it's a starting lineup with five specialists, each of whom is just about the best at what he does, but with just enough overlap to make the combination seamless. The ultimate in complementary role-playing within a milieu devoid of excessive ego.

Ironically, a similar phenomenon may be happening with the bench, especially if and when J.O. returns. (It's difficult to see how he'll now supplant Shaq in the starting lineup except when Shaq's injured, which could be one fly in the ointment.)

It appears that the Celtics already have at least three bench players (Davis, Quis and Nate) who are capable of filling in almost seamlessly (my new favorite word of the year) with the starters when needed, and I suspect Delonte will represent a fourth at some juncture. If J.O. can achieve that ability as well, the bases may be pretty well covered.

The wild card will then become Perk upon his return. That could actually occasion Doc's final major challenge this season—fitting 11 players into a 10-player rotation. Really 12 players, but I think Semih will wind up being a stopgap warrior who will see much less playing time when Perk is back and whom we will owe a debt of gratitude for playing in pain until that time.

The big question will be who will man the center position when Perk returns. Fortunately, they all seem to get along with one another. But I can't see Doc willingly breaking up the efficiency of the current starting lineup for reason other than injury. My guess is that, IF (a HUGE "if") Perk, Shaq and Jermaine are all good to go, Jermain will be the bench guy and Doc will find a way to give both Shaq and Perk relatively short, non-debilitating minutes with the starters—perhaps dictated by offensive and defensive matchups.

Of course, on the question of who finishes the game at center, the answer could remain "None of the above." The versatility of Glen Davis really seems to be a force in the clutch except maybe against a tall stud such as Bynum, Howard, or Bogut.

Ain't it great to have options? And to have that feeling of alternatives even with several players still unavailable? And to have three young, good-looking players developing at the same time? Talk about the perfect storm.

Gotta go out into the cold and do my daily dance to the Celtics health gods.

Sam

Sam - Agree wholeheartedly with your raves of Davis (I will go along with his wishes of not wanting to be called Big Baby anymore). He's really impressed me this year, improving in all aspects of his game.

Remember when it was a serious debate as to whether Glen or Leon Powe should be the player to keep since both of them were fairly redundant? I love Leon, and when completely healthy he was a very productive player but he couldn't guard centers (at least Glen's girth helps him do that) and he didn't have Glen's nifty moves around the basket and great hands. Or Glen's outside shot, which is becoming increasingly reliable.

Sam Steve,

Yesterday Davis had the ball on the right wing and drove with his left across the lane against Lopez and just made enough contact to keep lopez off balance and made a left-handed layup.

Plus those two highlight blocks he had the last couple of games ON DUNK ATTEMPTS.
see them here just scroll down to the Dec 4th entry.

http://www.redsarmy.com/

There really is nothing he isn't doing well. And as Sam has mentioned he is our closing big in tight games for now.
Not sure when his contract is up but he must be kept!

beat

Sam, I'm trying to picture the particular daily dance you do. Could it be similar to this? And are the wife and neighbors watching?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1cLOIxsQ8

Bob,

Great catch. It's almost identical, except that he is clothed.

A couple of neighbors watched once and had to run for barf buckets. My wife had to be hospitalized with laughter syndrome. There is this stray possum who comes around once in a while, but he's basically blind, and I have to be careful because he once tried to marry a part of my anatomy that he thought was his bigger cousin.

Sam

Sam, with my knee repaired I'm ready to join you in that dance. Perhaps at our next board event we can all try it!

Sam

Once Perk gets back,I would love to see Shaq and Perk together for a stretch,with a small backcourt of Rondo and Nate or Rondo and Avery,with Ray or Pierce at the wing.....or some stretches with either of the 4 BIG bigs at the 4-5 and Baby at the 3.The combinations Doc can throw at teams is gonna be hellacious for the opposition and so much fun!!!Heard Perk is looking good/great in all his drills,that you wouldn't know he was injured as hes going through things.

cow

Cow,

You know how I love versatility, and the mix-and-match possibilities are truly boundless. If they use a hippo frontcourt and a cheetah backcourt at the same time, is it possible the backcourt will be lapping the frontcourt all the time?

Sam

Sam

That hippo frontcourt and cheetah backcourt can swarm on perimeter and let BIGS pound in the paint,might struggle without KG's passing and shot making ability in the halfcourt,but while their racing frenetically down the court in uptempo/fastbreak mode off the blocks,rebounds and steals would be so much fun to watch.

cow

Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Tolerate the Bomb

As everyone knows, I'm not a big fan of the three-point shot because I think it has served, over the years, to dilute some of the beauty of the game. But it bothers me most when I think the Celtics are what I'd call "inefficient" with the three-pointer.

I measure three-point efficiency by the number of missed three-pointers per game. That figure reflects both (1) the number of attempted threes with (2) the accuracy of the threes that are taken. The greater the number of missed threes, the less efficiently they're being employed, either because they're over-using the shot or shooting it poorly (or both).

Last season, the Celtics missed an average of 11.4 threes a game—slightly ahead of opponents' 11.0.

This season, the Celtics have missed an average of 8.0 threes a game—well under the 10.0 missed by opponents.

So the Celtics are much more efficient with their threes this season, compared with both last season and with their opponents' records. Which pleases me, because I figure, if the shot has to be around, it should be utilized as efficiently as possible.

Just one of a number of things the Celtics are doing better this season than in some time.

Shifting Responsibilities and the Russellian Quest

Two factors have spearheaded the vast improvment in the fluidity and effectiveness of the Celtics' offense this season.

1. In the past, there was a tendency (especially embodied by Paul Pierce) for them to think that they had to create shots. That mentality has now done a "180" to the point where Rondo is the primary creator, and the others concentrate on getting into good position. This may seem like a subtlety, but it's really a big deal. They get into position...Rondo hits them. It's so simple that it's almost laughable.

2. This willingness to count on others to do their jobs has allowed players to focus on what they do best, whether it be to set picks (which are much more effective this season), spread the floor, run their curls, run the pick and roll, isolate in the corner, camp out or jump in underneath, beat their opponents down the floor, or whatever. When you get a bunch of highly talented players who are content to play their optimal roles while trusting skilled teammates to play their optimal roles, the results can be astounding. I remember a time when the results were astounding for 13 consecutive seasons.

3. Moreover, the more intuitive that system becomes, the easier it is to execute, which is why a minute of play for the veterans this year is not as physically taxing as a minute of play for the veterans in preceding years. It's why Rondo can play with three injuries and still drop 13 dimes. It's not as easy as falling off a log, but it's becoming ever closer.

I kid you not, and I exaggerate not one whit, when I say that this team has the potential to become scarily Russellian. That's my equivalent of the Medal of Honor. I just hope they don't become chronic recipients of the Purple Heart.

Sam

But does any of these Celtics have a wife would could hold her own against him at his own game?

The Celtics have played a number of games recently in which they've looked off their feed early but have rallied for the win. Conventional "wisdom" might conclude that they're playing with fire by "nonchalanting" it under the assumption that they can turn it on any time they wish.

I think that's an incorrect analysis. And here's why.

Guess what word is key to what I'm about to say. "Discontinuity." What a shocker, eh? But I keep using that word because it continues to be important.

In every game, lately, they've been forced into makeshift combinations. In such circumstances, every single game forces them to figure out the winning formula for that unique game, given the combination of players who are not only available but are also productive that night.

Tonight, although they had a lot of centers available, which might have represented a major strength, none of the really tall guys was consistently effective on offense (although KG was great on the boards and JON really played strongly on the defensive end during the second half). Therefore, the offensive load had to fall primarily on Paul, Quis, Ray and Glen. That's not something that can be predicted in advance; it comes to light, by trial and error, during the game itself.

It takes time to make the necessary adjustments during the course of the game. I liken it to my guy Andre Agassi, who I always hoped would lose the first set so I could watch him scope out what was required to beat the other guy. Move him around, play the angles, surprise him at net, drop shots, whatever.

Once Andre discovered the right formula, he was relentless in executing it. That's also true of these Celtics. It's usually their offense that is under adjustment, and they execute the adjusted offense better as each game progresses. The main adjustment in the defense is to play it harder, which they tend to do more of as each game wears on.

I believe this is one of the biggest differences between this year's and last year's Celtics. Last year, they had difficulty identifying the right formulas when shorthanded. When they were at full strength, they were very dangerous.

So I think it's a lot of bunk that this team is too casual at the beginnings of games. They often struggle early, just as Andre did. But inevitably the professionalism and versatility take over, determine what will prove effective, and work it, work it, work it.''

Any game they lose while in these circumstances of discontinuity suggests to me that they did a poor job of adjusting. i think that happened against Orlando. It happened to Andre. But not often.

Sam

great breadown sam, as a tennis player i concur on yur andre analogy ..probe probe, find it, HAMMER it.

Keep the pressure on and get in their heads by showing them you know exactly where they are weak

You are probably on the right track there Sam. It seems that the lineup is changing constantly and the guys are thrown together who are not used to playing together in "game time" minutes. Practice is one thing, Gametime is
something else. It was obvious tonight, because the spacing on the floor in the first half was terrible. They were bumping into each other every time down the court. Thank God PP took matters in his own hands and turned the tide of the game the Celtics way. It was a great win for the second team, I thought Marquis was great, as he has been recently. Now, let's keep it up.

Oh the Horror!

I usually make it a point to avoid discussions of referees because I frankly think such conversations, while a necessary diversion in sport, just take years off people's lives needlessly. And I, for one, can't afford that.

Once in a while however, the Law of Averages finds me sticking in my two cents on the subject of referees. After all, things are getting terribly out of hand. This season's edition of the Celtics has now had six (6) more fouls called on them than their opponents. SIX MORE WHOLE FOULS!!!!!!!!!

And, and, and, (pant pant) and, and given the exceptional ballhandling of the Celtics (especially recently), I can't begin to fathom why the Celtics have been charged with only 35 fewer turnovers than opponents this season.

Obviously, referee larceny at the Celtics' expense has reached runaway proportions. As Elmer Fudd would say, "Oh the howwow!" Woe is us! What to do! What to do!

While reprisals are in the process of being plotted, I'd just like to offer a few thoughts, and I appreciate the fact that I seem to be in the great minority. (Everyone knows how I cringe at that thought! Oh the howwow!)

(1) As a rule, refs reward aggressiveness, particularly on the offensive end. Opponents are driving to the hoop many more times than the Celtics are. Opponents are crashing the boards much more frequently than the Celtics are. That's called aggressiveness. In recent games, especially, opponents have been far more aggressive than the Celtics in defending the passing lanes.

(2) These Celtics tend to be a finesse team to a much greater extent than many opponents. Perhaps, aside from age, it's a matter of experience versus desperation. Several Celts were more aggressive in going to the hoop in the past (Pierce, Shaq, JO, even Rondo before he became concerned about shooting freebies). But then is then, and now is now. Finesse teams seldom get as many calls as aggressive teams. Maybe that's because finesse teams have more of a reputation for reach-in fouls.

(3) I'd call Glen Davis the most aggressive Celtic right now—at both ends. In general (and with some obvious exceptions), I believe he gets more borderline calls than other Celtics do—when he's taking charges and when he shoots fouls on drives that would have resulted in blocked shots in previous years. I don't think this link of aggression with reward is coincidence.

(4) The more dysfunctional the Celtics become due to my old friend discontinuity, the less likely they will be to get the long end of the stick from referees. People have every right to bemoan that fact as they wallow in antacid. Or they could choose to remain cool, recognize the situation for what it is, ride it out, and hopefully enjoy what happens as the season progresses.

Go Celtics!

Sam

Or Sam they could just see it different than you do, discuss it how they see it and then we are left with our differences. Which makes for some pretty interesting conversation and a lively forum.

Luckily we are all adults and fully formed and as such can see with our own eyes and make decisions based on what we see and our own knowledge of life and the rules or lack of rules that apply to it.

cheers buddy and happy new year

That certainly is their right, Jeb. There's nothing better than having an opinion. Unless it's having a substantiated one rather than an emotional one.

By the way, which of my assertions about today's Celtics and their likely impact on referees do you suppose people would disagree with?

Sam

Cause It Was...Versatility (to be sung to the tune of Lloyd Price's "Personality")

Since the preseason, I've been touting the versatility represented by the Celtics. And I'm talking about the preseason of the 2009-10 season.

But many of my expectations for last season's versatility were predicated on hopes for Sheed that just didn't come to fruition. Moreover, I was hoping for great veersatility from Marquis; and, after a good start, he got injured and never again got in the flow.

In terms of versatility, this season seems light years removed from last year. Where to start? No problem. I'll begin with Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels. Glen's the sixth man of the year so far. Doc Rivers has stated, "Our record is where it is because Glen Davis is on our team." And, when Glen reinforces his versatility by moving to the starting unit (at either of two positions), Marguis does a pretty good imitation of being a sixth man of the year.

The versatility of Quis was underscored by his ability to join the "small ball" unit last night and to make a number of key contributions: great defense; getting free again and again for bunnies; setting the pick to free Ray for a key three—a pick about which Doc went into raptures later; and, at the very end, being part of the double-team that contained Ginobli so long that Manu only had one desperation shot avenue available to him...and Paul knew it and blocked the shot.

That kind of versatility transcends being able to play multiple positions (which both Davis and Daniels do). It transcends being potent weapons at both ends of the floor (which both Davis and Daniels are). That kind of versatility delves deeply into the area of alertess, timing, anticipation, Basketball IQ, and (in a word) chemistry.

There's another form of versatility that was exhibited in spades by Rondo last night. The ability to be a premier enabler first but also to chip in with his own scoring when needed. Tell me he wasn't looking for his shot on those late jumpers and the floater. Doc said, after the game, that he had noticed Rondo taking shot after shot following practice, girding himself for precisely what happened in the game.

There's even versatility in the form of the Celtics' center by committee. I'm not sure how it will all shake down when Perk returns, but one thing's for certain. The center position will not become less versatile.

And how about the versatility of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in quickly adapting to play PF and SF, respectively, in the small ball scheme?

I would submit that versatility is the single most important differentiator between the Celtics and the Lakers this season. And anyone who counters with comments about how the Lakers have improved their bench simply doesn't "get" what I'm saying. The Lakers improved their depth but not their versatility. At least not noticeably.

It seems to me that the Lakers keep playing the same way regardless of the opponent or situation or roster disruptions. Phil Jackson has always tried to force fit his rosters to his system. When everything's going well, and there's a good match between players and system, the system really works. But the ideal is not always the norm.

That's when versatility is important and when a coach is needed who knows how to adapt to take advantage of versatility available to him. Heck, Phil is even pretty stubborn about the way he tries to motivate players. Maybe calling them out and getting them angry is simply what we hear most about; possibly he has many more subtle motivation techniques. (Oh yeah, I forgot about the books.) But it seems to me that he's pretty inflexible on the whole.

In comparison, one of the most versatile elements of the Celtics involves the coach. Who can deny that Doc is one of the best (if not the best) at customizing his coaching to contingencies that arise?

So here''s to versatility—and to the opportunity we have to watch it in action several times a week.

Sam

Sam wrote:Cause It Was...Versatility (to be sung to the tune of Lord Price's "Personality")

Since the preseason, I've been touting the versatility represented by the Celtics. And I'm talking about the preseason of the 2009-10 season.

But many of my expectations for last season's versatility were predicated on hopes for Sheed that just didn't come to fruition. Moreover, I was hoping for great veersatility from Marquis; and, after a good start, he got injured and never again got in the flow.

In terms of versatility, this season seems light years removed from last year. Where to start? No problem. I'll begin with Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels. Glen's the sixth man of the year so far. Doc Rivers has stated, "Our record is where it is because Glen Davis is on our team." And, when Glen reinforces his versatility by moving to the starting unit (at either of two positions), Marguis does a pretty good imitation of being a sixth man of the year.

The versatility of Quis was underscored by his ability to join the "small ball" unit last night and to make a number of key contributions: great defense; getting free again and again for bunnies; setting the pick to free Ray for a key three—a pick about which Doc went into raptures later; and, at the very end, being part of the double-team that contained Ginobli so long that Manu only had one desperation shot avenue available to him...and Paul knew it and blocked the shot.

That kind of versatility transcends being able to play multiple positions (which both Davis and Daniels do). It transcends being potent weapons at both ends of the floor (which both Davis and Daniels are). That kind of versatility delves deeply into the area of alertess, timing, anticipation, Basketball IQ, and (in a word) chemistry.

There's another form of versatility that was exhibited in spades by Rondo last night. The ability to be a premier enabler first but also to chip in with his own scoring when needed. Tell me he wasn't looking for his shot on those late jumpers and the floater. Doc said, after the game, that he had noticed Rondo taking shot after shot following practice, girding himself for precisely what happened in the game.

There's even versatility in the form of the Celtics' center by committee. I'm not sure how it will all shake down when Perk returns, but one thing's for certain. The center position will not become less versatile.

And how about the versatility of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in quickly adapting to play PF and SF, respectively, in the small ball scheme?

I would submit that versatility is the single most important differentiator between the Celtics and the Lakers this season. And anyone who counters with comments about how the Lakers have improved their bench simply doesn't "get" what I'm saying. The Lakers improved their depth but not their versatility. At least not noticeably.

It seems to me that the Lakers keep playing the same way regardless of the opponent or situation or roster disruptions. Phil Jackson has always tried to force fit his rosters to his system. When everything's going well, and there's a good match between players and system, the system really works. But the ideal is not always the norm.

That's when versatility is important and when a coach is needed who knows how to adapt to take advantage of versatility available to him. Heck, Phil is even pretty stubborn about the way he tries to motivate players. Maybe calling them out and getting them angry is simply what we hear most about; possibly he has many more subtle motivation techniques. (Oh yeah, I forgot about the books.) But it seems to me that he's pretty inflexible on the whole.

In comparison, one of the most versatile elements of the Celtics involves the coach. Who can deny that Doc is one of the best (if not the best) at customizing his coaching to contingencies that arise?

So here''s to versatility—and to the opportunity we have to watch it in action several times a week.

Sam

sam,

What's not to agree with? I think the results are speaking for themselves.

IMO, one of the differences between Doc and Phil is that Doc is a "matchup coach" while Phil is a "system coach".

Doc looks at what's on the floor and says "this isn't Shaq's night, I'm gonna go with JON". Doc sees that Marquis is a longer, stronger player than the guard he's been assigned to (versatility!) and posts him up until the other coach makes an adjustment.

The triangle is designed to have players that fit the roles in the triangle. Rondo, for example, wouldn't do well in the triangle with the team the Lakers have now because he's not a dead-eye shooter from the corner. Phil bitches about Kobe blowing up the triangle. Kobe's response was, basically, "the triangle wasn't getting it done, so I adjusted" and that pissed off Phil (especially since they lost. If they won Phil wouldn't say jack). Kobe's game didn't fit his system.

Now, I understand that ALL coaches have systems and when a Celtic starts playing what Doc calls "hero ball" he gets pissed off (at least, when "hero ball" makes us lose), but Doc's system isn't so rigid that it's strictly fixed role driven regardless of who's on the floor (from either team) and if you're playing this position in the system then that's what you do. Period. With Doc, If you can take advantage of matchups you take them and if you can't then you make the pass to the open man and don't try and be a hero. With Phil, his system is largely "player independent" and is more "cookie cutter". If your job is to hit open 3s in the corner and you can do that, you're in and if you can't then it doesn't matter if you're a good penetration dribbler, you're not fitting into the triangle.

bob

.

BobH,

Obviously, I agree. Being a "cookie cutter" coach is the main reason I believe Phil Jackson ranks well down on the list of best coaches of all-time. A cookie-cutter coach who is handed teams that fit his mold is not nearly the same as a coach who is readily able to innovate, adjust and adapt to whatever contingencies come along.

Sam

Sam wrote:Cause It Was...Versatility (to be sung to the tune of Lord Price's "Personality")

Since the preseason, I've been touting the versatility represented by the Celtics. And I'm talking about the preseason of the 2009-10 season.

But many of my expectations for last season's versatility were predicated on hopes for Sheed that just didn't come to fruition. Moreover, I was hoping for great veersatility from Marquis; and, after a good start, he got injured and never again got in the flow.

In terms of versatility, this season seems light years removed from last year. Where to start? No problem. I'll begin with Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels. Glen's the sixth man of the year so far. Doc Rivers has stated, "Our record is where it is because Glen Davis is on our team." And, when Glen reinforces his versatility by moving to the starting unit (at either of two positions), Marguis does a pretty good imitation of being a sixth man of the year.

The versatility of Quis was underscored by his ability to join the "small ball" unit last night and to make a number of key contributions: great defense; getting free again and again for bunnies; setting the pick to free Ray for a key three—a pick about which Doc went into raptures later; and, at the very end, being part of the double-team that contained Ginobli so long that Manu only had one desperation shot avenue available to him...and Paul knew it and blocked the shot.

That kind of versatility transcends being able to play multiple positions (which both Davis and Daniels do). It transcends being potent weapons at both ends of the floor (which both Davis and Daniels are). That kind of versatility delves deeply into the area of alertess, timing, anticipation, Basketball IQ, and (in a word) chemistry.

There's another form of versatility that was exhibited in spades by Rondo last night. The ability to be a premier enabler first but also to chip in with his own scoring when needed. Tell me he wasn't looking for his shot on those late jumpers and the floater. Doc said, after the game, that he had noticed Rondo taking shot after shot following practice, girding himself for precisely what happened in the game.

There's even versatility in the form of the Celtics' center by committee. I'm not sure how it will all shake down when Perk returns, but one thing's for certain. The center position will not become less versatile.

And how about the versatility of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in quickly adapting to play PF and SF, respectively, in the small ball scheme?

I would submit that versatility is the single most important differentiator between the Celtics and the Lakers this season. And anyone who counters with comments about how the Lakers have improved their bench simply doesn't "get" what I'm saying. The Lakers improved their depth but not their versatility. At least not noticeably.

It seems to me that the Lakers keep playing the same way regardless of the opponent or situation or roster disruptions. Phil Jackson has always tried to force fit his rosters to his system. When everything's going well, and there's a good match between players and system, the system really works. But the ideal is not always the norm.

That's when versatility is important and when a coach is needed who knows how to adapt to take advantage of versatility available to him. Heck, Phil is even pretty stubborn about the way he tries to motivate players. Maybe calling them out and getting them angry is simply what we hear most about; possibly he has many more subtle motivation techniques. (Oh yeah, I forgot about the books.) But it seems to me that he's pretty inflexible on the whole.

In comparison, one of the most versatile elements of the Celtics involves the coach. Who can deny that Doc is one of the best (if not the best) at customizing his coaching to contingencies that arise?

So here''s to versatility—and to the opportunity we have to watch it in action several times a week.

Sam

Agree completely. And by the way, it's Lloyd Price (who I promoted a couple of concerts by in the 90's), not Lord Price.

It is wonderful to see Marquis flourish this year, because I believed he was so capable last year until getting injured. He just never came back after getting injured. I now feel much more comfortable when he is out there. I know he is no huge offensive threat, but you feel safe when he is out there. Maybe Tony Allen was a defensive specialist, but when he received the ball on the offensive end, one was never sure just what would take place next. I feel that 'Quis is a steadier ball player. Am I the only one who feels this way?

bobheckler wrote:......
The triangle is designed to have players that fit the roles in the triangle. Rondo, for example, wouldn't do well in the triangle with the team the Lakers have now because he's not a dead-eye shooter from the corner. Phil bitches about Kobe blowing up the triangle. Kobe's response was, basically, "the triangle wasn't getting it done, so I adjusted" and that pissed off Phil (especially since they lost. If they won Phil wouldn't say jack). Kobe's game didn't fit his system.
.....

Bobh,
Interesting observation.
Now, let me continue it and, please correct me if I'm wrong. So, this system (triangle) works and works until some teams adapt and find effective countermeasures; now this system doesn't work against those team and PJ has to adjust it or find a new one; but until he does the team has to adhere to the current system; but KB and maybe PG want to make adjustments themselves, be ahead of the master; therefore the conflict and poor performance.
Thanks,
AK

Rosalie,
RE: MD vs TA - agree 100%. Also, IMHO, MD is a better post-up player, especially if he's taller than the opponent.

Rosalie

Tony is NOT a card player thats for sure

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5990552

beat