Subject: Re: Trade now? No!

[kevin from singapore <bostonceltics17@yahoo.com>]

-----------original message---------- From: "Cecil Wright"

Most of us are in no position to compare with that of an NBA coach so
that does not compute.

I know you don't like Pitino, Dorine, and I respect that.  But this
team will not turn it around just because there is a new coach, one
with NBA experience.  And I can give you an example.

Paul Westphal was canned in Seattle, replaced by Nate McMillan, who
has no previous head coaching experience.  But the players seem to be
playing better now than they did with Westy at the helm.  Do you
believe that it was all his fault, or do the players bear the brunt of
the responsibility?  When Gary Payton gets suspended, then the team
retracts the suspension, followed by canning the coach, I am not sure
that the coach is the largest problem they have.

Clearly we have issues but they are not gonna be solved by dismissing
Pitino, who by the way, is hardly the only NBA coach who screams that
way during games.

Cecil

============================================================
Dear Cecil,

It is very refreshing to find a celtic fan who is still as patient as
you. Kudos to you.

I agree with Dorine that Pitino should go right now. I really
think/believe that Pitino's system (chicken outbreak and the yapping
along the sidelines) is not working with the players (or any other
players). I have experienced working for such type of hollering boss
and this is the result:

- first 6 months - you feel inspired from the teaching, even though it
is a little too loud for your liking
Result: We "overachieve" during Rick's first season

- subsequent 6 months - you feel that your're more capable and now
able to walk on your own (make little decision by yourselves). But the
boss still treats you the same, going thru every details of your work,
and you feel your numerous views/opinions/suggestions are always shot
down (there's only one way and that's the boss' way)
Result : we seemed to stagnate (if not regressed) during the 2nd
season (lockout season).

- 12months or more - you will feel "wtf, no point thinking how to do
it better, just follow the damn instructions, even if it doesn't make
sense to me"
Result : dunks and layup after layup by our opponents. Players don't
think right even after seeing the dunks and layups " we were told to
double team Bo Outlaw everytime, just following the instructions"

Funny thing is that I find the first six months the best training I've
got (on basics and fundamentals of the business), and it bodes well
for my future. And I think it is the same here. Based on past rep, I
think Pitino is a very good (if not the best) teacher of the game of
basketball but he can't be doing the basics even in year 4 can he? See
what Pierce said in the globe:

>>>>>start of quote<<<<<<<<<
Pitino has said if the team does not improve defensively, he will
leave. Asked if a change in approach, not necessarily a coaching
change, would help, Pierce said, ''It's tough'' and then paused as he
considered the option.
''When you get to this level, it's tough to teach guys the different
fundamentals,'' said Pierce. ''You're in the NBA and you don't really
have a lot of time to go over a lot of small things ... I think the
things he's teaching are pretty much basic things that I've learned in
high school and college. It's pretty much the same concept and
everybody should be getting it. I don't know what it is. The guys
who've been here two, three years should have it down. You can change
[your approach], but the basic fundmentals are still going to be the
same.''
>>>end of quote<<<<<<<


I think the Xs and Os of coaching is way overated. I think the best
managers/coaches are the ones that motivates the players to play FOR
him. I think players win games FOR the coach, not because of the
defensive schemes. Phil Jackson did it with the fakers and bulls, nate
macmillan is doing it now with basically the same unit he inherited
from westphal. Did you see the Dirk Nowitziki after the win quote
today:

>>>>>quote<<<<<<<<<<<
"We all like to play for Don Nelson. He's a great coach and he put the
team together,'' Nowitzki said. ''We really picked it up since our two
losses and we made it a nice trip for us.''
>>>>>>>>end of quote<<<<<<<<<<

I remember when Larry Bird came here with the Pacers, Jalen Rose was
saying something like needing to win the game for Bird and winning the
ring for Bird too.

I have never hear any Celtics saying they want to win FOR Pitino.
Yeah, Randy Brown said beginning of the season he promised everybody
will give 110%. 
After every loss, Pierce and Walker says we need to and we are going
to play defense. But NOBODY says "I don't want Coach to go" or "I will
make sure we get into the playoffs for Coach".

IMO, our players are not playing their best for Pitino. They've tuned
him out. Look at all our players who's been here 3 years or more, has
any improved? Not many, if at all. (Battie is just beginning to play
like a no. 5 pick and AW is having "ML" years)

I think we've got a pretty good team, ability and chemistry wise. I
would like a new coach to get the best out of them, as clearly Pitino
can't.

So this is my case for Pitino to go. Right now.

Cheers
kevin