A Few Questions for Doc's Detractors

Doc Rivers was named Coach of the Month for November, and while the award appears to be one that is perfunctorily given to the coach of the team with the best record, it is not an entirely meaningless award when you look at the three coaches who have won the award the most: 1. Pat Riley (10). 2. Phil Jackson (9). 3. George Karl (9).

The announcement didn’t seem to deter Doc’s detractors. “Doc could be named Best Coach in the Universe and that still wouldn’t make him a good coach,” was a sentiment expressed by many of the naysayers.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but at some point Doc’s critics should look in the mirror and ask themselves a few questions.

The first question might be, by what criteria do you measure the quality of a coach?

My suggestion is that a coach should be evaluated by their 1.Ability to lead; 2. Ability to motivate; 3. Ability to build chemistry; 4. Player relations and player loyalty; 5. Ability to diagram Xs and Os; 6. Ability to make in-game adjustments (or game-to-game adjustments in the playoffs); 7. Results.

Building Chemistry

Whether you want to give Doc credit or not, the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics have come together quickly. The trip to Europe accelerated the bonding process, and it is apparent to anyone watching the top nine or ten rotational players that they like each other, play well together, and are a very close group.

Many of the players have said that their chemistry was built from the top down. During training camp, Rivers introduced the concept of Ubuntu, which loosely translated means to sacrifice personal goals for the greater good. To be successful this year, Rivers told the players the season can't be about personal things, such as touches, shots, and individual egos. It has to be about the team, and how it's doing.

"We, not me," as Garnett has said in both commercials and press conferences.

Motivational

I already wrote a piece on Doc’s ability to motivate. Since then we’ve learned that Doc also selectively posts bulletin-board-worthy quotes from pundits and opposing players who criticize roster players 4-12 as a glaring weakness on the team. The dissed Celtics players in question have admitted responding to these criticisms by going out and having big games shortly after the latest critique was offered up.

Player Relations, Player Loyalty

At the Big Three Press Conference, KG told reporters that he decided to come to Boston in part after speaking with Doc. After Doc returned to the team sooner than expected following his father’s funeral, KG told reporters that Doc’s mere presence perked everyone up. Posey, House, and Pollard said that before they decided to sign with Boston, each of them appreciated how Doc talked to them more as a fellow player than as a future coach.

Even when the Cs were abysmal over the last two seasons, the players had Doc’s back. “If you want to blame someone for the losing streak,” Al Jefferson said, “blame the players. Coach isn’t the one playing the games.” When Danny signed doc to a one-year extension later in the season, Kendrick Perkins said “A lot of things he does for us come under the table. It doesn't really come to light just how much he means to this team, but he means a lot.”

Respect of his Peers

Doc has also won the respect of his peers. Pat Riley recently called him a “great coach,” and we all know how disinclined Riles is to praise any member of the Celtics family. Before that, Doc won Coach of the Year in Orlando. In between, Doc’s peers rose to his defense against those who criticized Doc over the past two years in Boston. One coach said: “At least four of his players didn't play in college and only a few graduated from college. The program was set back years because the team was stocked with kids who barely knew how to pay a bill let alone figure out a back-door trap.”

Xs and Os

Sure, Doc will always be assailed by some as something less than a great Xs and Os coach. But keep in mind what Larry Bird said about Xs and Os, and also what he did when KC Jones went to the trouble of diagramming a play. Further keep in mind what John Wooden, considered by many to be the greatest coach ever, told his players about his own play-calling ability: “I don’t ever want a player looking over at the bench for direction from me during a game. By opening tip, I’ve done everything for you I can.”

In-Game Adjustments

The jury is out on Doc’s ability to make in-game adjustments and game-to-game adjustments in the playoffs. Many Doc critics still blame him for losing to an undermanned and hobbled Pacers team in the 2005 playoffs. I gave my thoughts on that criticism here. This year the Boston Herald also noted that the Cs have won thirteen straight third quarters, a testament to Doc’s ability to make adjustments at halftime.

After a come from behind win against Philadelphia, Garnett was asked what adjustments the team made. Without being specific, Garnett siad that "Doc's not afraid to get in your [tail]. That's what I love about him. He's not afraid to tell you that you're messing up. He's not afraid of challenging guys and letting us know that this is what needs to be done. And we respond.

But the true test will come, of course, in May and June.

Leadership & Results

One could argue that of all the criteria by which coaches are evaluated, the only one that matters is results, and that getting results by definition makes a leader great. US Grant is considered a great leader and a great general and George B. McClellan is considered a poor leader and a poor general. Why? Grant won the Civil War while McClellan fiddled and diddled.

So how does Doc measure up?

In four full seasons in Florida, Doc averaged 43 wins and made the playoffs three times. True, he did not win a series, but it's not like he was playing with a a star-studded team. Besides having Tracy McGrady and Juwan Howard for one season, he was dealing with a team of low- to mid- level players, plus a Grant Hill who got into uniform for only 47 games through Rivers' final three seasons.

This year Doc is off to a 14-2 start, which represents early confirmation of the points Danny and Doc were making last spring when Doc’s contract was extended another year.

``I am confident that Doc, given the right talent, can win in this league,'' Ainge said. ``There is no doubt in my mind. ``I have no doubt about it,'' Rivers agreed. ``I've always believed in that. Every time I've had a decent team, we've won.”

In the end, Doc's critics are today saying the Celtics are winning in spite of Doc, and they will say the same thing if the Cs win banner #17 next June.

For the rest of us, let's give Doc an early tip of the cap.

We've seen the results, and we approve.

And don't be concerned about drinking the ko0l-aid, optimism is part of our genetic code.