AFTERMATH: Doc Rivers

During the magical 2004 Red Sox season, a lot of us used to rip skipper
Terry Francona for his seemingly odd move, or lack thereof. As he sat on
the dugout steps observing the game, many fans (me included) started calling
him "Francoma". It was as much for his calm, seemingly passive demeanor, as
it was for sticking with players who weren't delivering.

Then in a span of two weeks...!BLAM!...all of that changed. First there was
the humbling of the long time bully Yankees, followed by the first World
Series victory in 86 years.

Buh-bye "Francoma". Only those that don't get it still criticize him.
Terry Francona has earned the respect of Red Sox fans.

Fast forward to 2008 and the Celtics. Maybe Doc Rivers ascension was not as
quick and dramatic. It does share a lot with his Red Sox counterpart. Both
defer all credit for success to the players, while expecting those players
to play the game "right". Both are thoughtful and understand their games
deeply. Very deeply and it is apparent in the way they talk about their
respective sport, the way they coach and the way their teams approach each
game.

For years, Doc has endured a wide range of criticism. Some of it was
nitpicking while others questioned his overall competency. However, I thnk
most of us recognized that no matter what Danny Ainge gave him, no matter
what injuries the game dealt him, Doc played the hand he was dealt, and he
made his players do the same. No excuses were made, and none were
tolerated.

Prior to this season, when the talk was of the C's being a few years away
and building on the foundation of young talent, it was palatable because we
saw that these young guys were playing hard, never quitting, never making
excuses. We could see the improvement (well, at least those of us that
wanted to). Remember all those "close, but not quite" nights of two seasons
ago when the Celtics lost 20+ games by 5 points or less? Celtic fandom was
willing to bring these kids along and support the team through losing
seasons to find the promised land because of that.

Then GM Danny Ainge shuffled the deck and delivered not just 2 more aces,
but he threw in a few kings for good measure. With a stacked hand and under
the microscope, Doc was forced to change plans. No longer was he
babysitting and teaching kids how to walk. He had a team that had to get it
done and soon.

Ownership delivered him the NBA version of the "Dream Team" and the pressure
was now officially on. It's one thing to manage a group of kids that you
are free to mold as you like. It's a different matter getting veterans to
play the right way. These were not NBA journeymen. These were legitimate,
NBA all stars with league wide player cred. Yet that is what he did. He
pulled all the right strings. Said all the right things. Did all the right
things.

Think about it. You're Leon Powe. You're Eddie House or Sam Cassell. You
haven't played in days, weeks even. Then Doc calls your number. You
haven't complained, and here is coach throwing you out there in the BIGGEST
GAME OF THE YEAR...what are you going to do?

We saw what those guys did. They stayed ready because Doc told them too.
They contributed, each and everyone one of them while never complaining
about the lack of minutes. For that, they did their parts in brining a
championship home. They are the ultimate winners because they did what Doc
said.

On June 17, Doc Rivers had completed the task put before him. In the
process, he unmasked the charlatan that had been called the NBA's best
coach. He has earned the right to have his named mentioned along side his
NE contemporaries Francona and Belicheck. He is not just another coach,
like Chris Ford or Jimmy Rodgers. If Danny Ainge has become the front
office heir to Red, then legitmately, Doc has become the coaching heir.
Defense first, your offense will com from that.

He can never be criticized again. Doc got the job done, and for as long as
he lives, he should never have to pay for another dinner or drink when he is
in town. None of us who ever second guessed him ever has the right to again
and those who called for his firing...well, just shut up.

Robert Chin wrote:
> During the magical 2004 Red Sox season, a lot of us used to rip skipper
> Terry Francona for his seemingly odd move, or lack thereof. As he sat on
> the dugout steps observing the game, many fans (me included) started calling
> him "Francoma". It was as much for his calm, seemingly passive demeanor, as
> it was for sticking with players who weren't delivering.
>
> Then in a span of two weeks...!BLAM!...all of that changed. First there was
> the humbling of the long time bully Yankees, followed by the first World
> Series victory in 86 years.
>
> Buh-bye "Francoma". Only those that don't get it still criticize him.
> Terry Francona has earned the respect of Red Sox fans.
>
> Fast forward to 2008 and the Celtics. Maybe Doc Rivers ascension was not as
> quick and dramatic. It does share a lot with his Red Sox counterpart. Both
> defer all credit for success to the players, while expecting those players
> to play the game "right". Both are thoughtful and understand their games
> deeply. Very deeply and it is apparent in the way they talk about their
> respective sport, the way they coach and the way their teams approach each
> game.
>
> For years, Doc has endured a wide range of criticism. Some of it was
> nitpicking while others questioned his overall competency. However, I thnk
> most of us recognized that no matter what Danny Ainge gave him, no matter
> what injuries the game dealt him, Doc played the hand he was dealt, and he
> made his players do the same. No excuses were made, and none were
> tolerated.
>
> Prior to this season, when the talk was of the C's being a few years away
> and building on the foundation of young talent, it was palatable because we
> saw that these young guys were playing hard, never quitting, never making
> excuses. We could see the improvement (well, at least those of us that
> wanted to). Remember all those "close, but not quite" nights of two seasons
> ago when the Celtics lost 20+ games by 5 points or less? Celtic fandom was
> willing to bring these kids along and support the team through losing
> seasons to find the promised land because of that.
>
> Then GM Danny Ainge shuffled the deck and delivered not just 2 more aces,
> but he threw in a few kings for good measure. With a stacked hand and under
> the microscope, Doc was forced to change plans. No longer was he
> babysitting and teaching kids how to walk. He had a team that had to get it
> done and soon.
>
> Ownership delivered him the NBA version of the "Dream Team" and the pressure
> was now officially on. It's one thing to manage a group of kids that you
> are free to mold as you like. It's a different matter getting veterans to
> play the right way. These were not NBA journeymen. These were legitimate,
> NBA all stars with league wide player cred. Yet that is what he did. He
> pulled all the right strings. Said all the right things. Did all the right
> things.
>
> Think about it. You're Leon Powe. You're Eddie House or Sam Cassell. You
> haven't played in days, weeks even. Then Doc calls your number. You
> haven't complained, and here is coach throwing you out there in the BIGGEST
> GAME OF THE YEAR...what are you going to do?
>
> We saw what those guys did. They stayed ready because Doc told them too.
> They contributed, each and everyone one of them while never complaining
> about the lack of minutes. For that, they did their parts in brining a
> championship home. They are the ultimate winners because they did what Doc
> said.
>
> On June 17, Doc Rivers had completed the task put before him. In the
> process, he unmasked the charlatan that had been called the NBA's best
> coach. He has earned the right to have his named mentioned along side his
> NE contemporaries Francona and Belicheck. He is not just another coach,
> like Chris Ford or Jimmy Rodgers. If Danny Ainge has become the front
> office heir to Red, then legitmately, Doc has become the coaching heir.
> Defense first, your offense will com from that.
>
> He can never be criticized again. Doc got the job done, and for as long as
> he lives, he should never have to pay for another dinner or drink when he is
> in town. None of us who ever second guessed him ever has the right to again
> and those who called for his firing...well, just shut up.

Well encapsulated, Bob. I've always been a Doc-supporter, but I've
always put less emphasis on the importance of coaching than others
might. He's a true student of the game and its history and I'm as
happy for him as I am for Pierce.