Assessment of O'Brien

["Alden Brosseau" <aldenb@xxxxxxx>]

OBrien is the anti-Patino.  College ball is the charismatic coachs game; pro
ball, the players game.  Patino makes the ideal coach for college kids;
OBrien, the ideal coach for seasoned pros.  (This explains their dramatically
contrasting records in the 2 venues.)

Patinos strengthsego, recruiting, intensity, dominance, imposing his system,
developing talentare critical to success in college.  OBriens
strengthslow-key self-effacement, respect for and easy dealings with
veterans, tailoring offensive and defensive systems to the talent, disciplined
management of these systemsare critical to success with established pros.
OBriens weakness is studied avoidance of immature talent: no interest in
having it, no comfort in dealing with it, no smarts in understanding it, no
skill in developing it.

Don't expect OBriens Celtics to bring in raw talent and develop it into a
Bryant or McGrady.  OBrien doesn't want them, so even if the GM gets them,
theyll suffer the fate of JJ or Kedrick.  And don't expect
talented-but-flawed players like Walker to get any coaching help in sanding
down their rough spots or developing new skills.  Itll only happen because
they do it on their own, as Pierce has done.

Does that mean theres no hope?  Our new owners might push OBrien to dedicate
one or more of his assistants to developmental work, butas experienced
businessmenthey probably know that trying to force someone to change is
generally counterproductive.

Alden