Doc the Demon?

[Tom Murphy]

Sorry Kim, I won't accept you simply trying to stuff words in my mouth. 

I left it open as a question of missed communication or differing interpretations for you to follow up on. I even sought to reach a common ground by focusing on what we agree on (Doc is incompetent) and refocus the discussion on basketball issues - what his incompetence may mean for the future development of our players.

But NO you insist on trying to say you understand what I wrote better than I do. Maybe you don't empathize with the example of the overbearing boss because - if this exchange is any indication - you tend to identify with them. Many a boss views breaking a subordinate's spirit as part of the process of remaking them into a more malleable employee. Hell, isn't it a large part of the point of boot camp (unless I'm mistaken, which I may well be)? My point is that I don't see that as a productive strategy when there is no *consistent* system to assimilate to and identify with (as exists in the armed forces).  

I've appended the original post - feel free to exercise your hermeneutical skill in pointing out where I state that Doc is actively evil, megalomaniacal (or 'passively evil' for that matter). Or even better, why don't you address the basketball issues raised pertaining to Doc's incompetence rather than diminish or dismiss what I have to say by relegating it to the lunatic fringe of those who would claim that Doc is "actively evil" and "megalomaniacal." 

This is a pretty sad state of affairs, since when you take all into account, since I don't think we differ that much in our assessment of Doc. You say you view him as incompetent. Maybe you don't see Doc's inconsistent allocation of minutes as 'jerking the players around.' Maybe you don't see his such inconsistency as possibly screwing with players minds to the point of demoralization. Or the fact that what he says doesn't always jive with what he does. I do. I don't think an assertion of evil is necessary to explain such behavior - just incompetence, the kind that - whether through arrogance or idiocy - doesn't even recognize how truly incompetent it is.

Pitino was bright, but he was a megalomaniac. Doc isn't bright enough to be a megalomaniac, he's just what he is - in over his head. 

TGIF -TomM
------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:28:48 -0500
From: Kim Malo <kmalo17 at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: Doc the Demon?
To: "Celtic list" <celtics at igtc.com>
Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.0.20070103232522.01adec98 at verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

At 08:40 PM 1/3/2007, Tom Murphy wrote:
>Wow! Kim, are you wearing X-ray specs? Because you seem to have read 
>a lot more into what was written than was actually there: Doc "an 
>actively evil megalomaniac"?!?

No, I didn't. You made it out that Doc is intentionally jerking the 
players around and you specifically said he was trying to break their 
spirit, which strikes me as bordering on evil megalomaniac behavior. 
As I said, I think he's just incompetent.
Kim 

>>I agree with the many comments that Rondo looks like the eventual answer at the point some years down the road.

But however the PG spot turns out I don't think that this team is rich enough in talent that we can afford to basically sour on players, destroy their self-confidence and then discard them. Unfortunately, that is what I see happening under Doc. This applies not only to Telfair but to Delonte and every other young player on the team as well (although Delonte has a longer leash than most he was victimized by Doc's "I don't need no stinkin' rotation" earlier in the season). Right now Telfair is playing his worst ball of the year. Does is seem farfetched that the deterioration might have anything to do with the Doc's mixed messages? ("I value D and unselfish ball - but I'll sub you out if you're not scoring enough!")

No matter how 'mentally challenged' the players may be, the game basics are still fairly straightforward. If the coach can't translate those basics to the players in a way they can grasp, then he is committing the same error as Pitino. If you recall, he had a wonderful system, just never the 'right' players to make his theory a reality. Well Doc is facing a similar situation - you've got to play with the players you have rather than lamenting their shortcomings and constantly bemoaning how 'young' they are. 

The least Doc can do is at least build up the value of the players by actually teaching the players and fitting them into a *consistent* team concept rather than seeking to break their spirit through pointless mind games. It doesn't matter if Doc is receiving 'orders' from above - he is still the coach and it is his job to reach these players and motivate them. Doc likes to moan about lack of consistency - a good start might be consistency from the coach.

I think there would be a lot less concern about losses on the list and among fans in general if we could see any progress, but under Doc that does not ever seem to happen unless a player receives 'extra-curricular help' (hello Clifford Ray). Some players look like that they improved in the off season (Al Jeff, Green) and at least Tony Allen seems to have improved (by just getting PT and from what I can tell ignoring everything he's been 'taught' for the past two years) but the TEAM has not noticeably improved one jot. They still look as unprepared and uncertain as they did two months ago. <<