Analyze Doc Rivers...

[NorthCoastHorn]

Obviously coaching the winning team in the NBA finals silences a lot of critics.

I am wondering what most say are his strengths and weaknesses as a coach. Especially interested in the opinions that came prior to this season.

Thanks in advance.

Hookem

 

[groundss]

I thought he was a bum before the season and now I think he's a bum with a ring.

He was given three title-hungry superstars...proven offensive commodities. Then he lets Tom Thibodeaux install a physical, fundamentally sound defense. Mix in some bench production thanks to experience (Brown, Posey) or fiery youth (Powe, Perkins) and voila, you've got a contender.

I guess I can't rip a guy for winning a championship, but I'll certainly rip him for going 7 games against the freakin Hawks & Cavs. I think half the coaches in the NBA could've won a championship with the roster McHale and co. giftwrapped to the Celts...

The NBA...where collusion happens.

Yes, I'm bitter.

 

[hudsonhorn]

I thought he was a good coach before the season started and now I think he's a good coach with a ring. Good coaches with great players win rings - Auerbach, Jackson, Popovich, to name a few. None of the good coaches will win without the combos - Shaq and Kobe; Russell, McHale, et al; Robinson, Duncan, Parker - you can go on and on. If he wins some more rings, then he becomes a great coach. Rings are a result of great players, some luck, and lack of serious injuries and combining all those things on a regular basis makes great coaches.

 

[RockyBalboa]

I put him in the same category as Switzer coaching the Cowboys: Just smart enough to not screw it up.

 

[KingBobo81]

There are certainly better coaches in the league but there are also certainly many who are worse. That being said, he was obviously good enough to not screw things up and is a class act of a guy.

 

[bigup2dahorns]

been an orlando magic fan for a little while now, so followed him there. didn't really have the personnel to get the job done in orlando but am very happy he made it happen in boston.

doc is a great guy. still lives in winter park FL. his sons are solid players, one at georgetown and the youngest is supposed to be better (at winter park high school).

 

[PFD Hater]

Doc gets no love. Prior to the series, punidts generally said Lakers in 5 or 6. They were the better team and he was clearly outclassed by the "Zen Master." He matched Jackson tit for tat whether it be scheme or lineup. He also managed to get his team up off the mat on occasions where they could have just as easily folded like the Lakers eventually did.

 

[Statalyzer]

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[NorthCoastHorn]

It is true that most folks I read were predicting a Laker win in the series, and not a real close one at that.

I don't like Phil Jackson at all from a personal standpoint, but I do believe he is a great coach.

I think Doc stepped up a number of notches in many people's minds with the strong victory over LA. I know he did in my book.

Hook'em

 

[Statalyzer]

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