by Lundberg - June 11, 2010 - - Comment Now »
Doc Rivers used to receive unfair criticism. People credited him as a motivator but discounted him as an X’s and O’s coach. Well, for any doubters remaining, I’ve got news for you, Doc River is an awesome coach, period (enough commas for you?). I love the guy.
Rivers seems like such a good and honest dude. He appears to be the kind of guy who will set expectations for you and lay them out clearly. He looks like the kind of guy who will give you constructive feedback. He’s the kind of guy you just want to play for.
Exhibit A of this is the play of the large infant Glen Davis and the spastic Nate Robinson or Shrek and Donkey as Robinson referred to them. Both of them are emotionally unique. Big Baby is known to tear up and clearly has an unusual amount of energy (which Lamar Odom and the rest of the Lakers frontline cannot handle). Nate Robinson needs to be tranquilized at times. Doc knows how to manage them both. That is a skill.
He left Shrek and Donkey in for an extended period of the fourth quarter in lieu of Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. He trusted them. That’s probably something they’re not used to, particularly Robinson, who was vilified by Mike D’Antoni as a member of the Knicks. They rewarded him by dropping 30 points and ensuring that this soon to be classic NBA Finals would be knotted up at two games a piece.
Not many coaches have the guts, instincts or gravitas to make that decision. Doc Rivers does. I’d run through a wall for the guy and I’ve never seen the point in running through walls. He’s quite simply a fantastic coach.
And oh, by the way, I told you about lil’ Nate. Word apppp!
Tags: basketball, big baby, celtics, kobe, lakers, nate robinson, nba, Sports
