Doc was right, Popovich might be rethinking

[keltsfan]

Jaycelt, 

I understand your logic but if I'm Popovich, I force anyone but Pierce to
beat me. He's proven time and time again, he's going to deliver in crunch
time, especially when defended singly.  And he's proven time and time again,
that he can't handle a quick and effective trap during that same crunch
time, should it occur.  I'd take my chances leaving West and Ray open under
those circumstances.  With an effective trap Pierce has a good chance of
turning it over and if he doesn't and West or Ray makes the big shots, then
so be it.  Poor, poor decisionmaking on the part of Popovich and nice
adjustment by Rivers as you suggested.

Ravi

> -----Original Message-----
> From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com 
> [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Jaycelt58 at aol.com
> Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 1:40 PM
> To: celtics at igtc.com
> Subject: Doc was right, Popovich might be rethinking
> 
> Playing Rondo Ball in the 1st and 3rd quarters got us a 
> 19-point lead.  Going away from that relentless pace and 
> drive almost cost us the game in  the 2nd and 4th.
>  
> 
> I think the only conspiracy administered in last night's game 
> was  by Popovich.  Not trapping Pierce in crunch time??  I've 
> never seen  a poorer coaching job
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> These two posts are exactly why Doc deserves some credit for the win.
>  
> When Rondo was in during the fourth quarter they were not 
> only using his  man to double Pierce and make him give up the 
> ball, they were also able to use a swarming defense on Al 
> which led to a Spurs block party.
> Doc took Rondo out, put in shooters Ray and Green to go along 
> with Pierce and West.
> That meant we had four shooters and Jefferson on the floor.  
> So if  you're Popovich who are you going to leave open?  If 
> you have an all NBA  defensive player to play Pierce, 
> wouldn't you be tempted to trust him to get a  stop and play 
> everyone else straight up?  At least the first time if not  
> the next two. 
>  
>  We were +8 with Rondo on the bench down the stretch.  That's 
> +8  against one of the best defensive teams in the league.  
> Doc must have done  something right. 
>  
> Until Rondo develops some sort of offensive game he will 
> continue to be a liability on the court down the stretch of 
> close games when our scorers need to score.  I've never been 
> a Doc apologist but in this case he did the exact right thing 
> and it resulted in a win.
> 
> 
> 
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