Doc Rivers interview

[Al-Haqq]

Doc Rivers joined the guys on Dennis & Callahan to talk about Rajon Rondo’s comments, whether he’ll ask Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to sit out the All-Star Game and which team he likes in the Super Bowl.

Compared to Christmas Day when you beat Orlando and now when you’re struggling, give us an overview of where you are?

We didn’t play well in January. We had some pretty special circumstances, and so I don’t take my eye off of that. You lose Paul Pierce going out west and you lose Kevin Garnett out west, it’s tough to win. So I keep that in perspective. I also understand that we’ve lost two games not playing great basketball to two of the best teams in the league by one final shot. So, the way I look at it, I like our team a lot. And, if we can get healthy, which I think we will at some point, I’ll take us against anybody.

Can you project or assume that this team will get healthy?

It is. It’s not like our injuries, minus Kevin … our injuries could happen to anybody playing basketball. [Nineteen-year-old] Brandon Jennings, if someone falls on his ankle the way someone fell on Paul Pierce’s ankle, he’s going to be injured. That’s just part of the game. That has nothing to do with Paul Pierce’s age. That has to do with Paul Pierce getting in the wrong spot at the wrong time. You know, it happens. But I do think we will get healthy and I think we’ll be OK.

What do you make of Rajon Rondo’s assertion that there are too many agendas creeping in?

I think Rondo was repeating, and I said it [Wednesday], basically what I told the team about three weeks ago. It was almost exactly my speech to the team. The agendas that we were talking about was more focus agendas. We are heading into the All-Star break, guys are focused on making the All-Star team. Guys are focused on going on the break, it’s just too much stuff. Not enough thought about basketball.

Did it hurt you on the floor?

I think it bothers every team. I was making a statement that this is the dog days. It happens to every team. You look at all the team during that stretch, you struggle a little bit. When we were going through that, with the injuries that were happening at the same time, my point was we need better focus to get through this.

Can a player like Ray Allen actually lose focus because of trade rumors?

I think it can affect anybody. Let me answer it both ways. I hope not, but I think he’s human. If you hear enough at some point, no matter how many times I’ve told him, ‘We’re not out shopping you,’ it’s tough to hear it every day. I think it does have some impact. I don’t know if it’s affected his game, to be honest. I just think Ray went through a tough little stretch.

Is there a mindset that you want to take one more shot with this team as currently constituted?

Yeah, it is. That doesn’t mean if someone call us and there’s a great deal out there that we’re not going to listen. Having said that, we do like this team. After the Orlando game everybody thought this was the team, then all of a sudden we got old in three weeks. I really do like this team. I like it a lot. Are we inconsistent at times? Yeah we are. Do I think we’ll be able to solve that? I have no doubt about that. If we can improve our team, or add to our team, we will. I think there’s a chance that we’ll do that. I don’t know if it will be with a trade or later in the year when some of the veteran players are buying out of their deals and want to go to a different team. I do think there’s a chance that we can add to our basketball team.

Did you emphasize Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace posting up more against the Heat?

It was a problem, but I also thought it was the speed of play. The one game I was disappointed in was the Orlando game, where I thought we had that game and we kind of lost our focus during the game. I said it at halftime, we were up 11 and our guys were happy and I was furious. I thought we should have been up 20-25 points. Then the Laker game I thought we stopped playing. We played like a team that’s not used to winning and we tried to hold on to the lead. We started walking the ball up the floor. We were working the clock and I think that contributed to why there was a lot of tough shots and not enough post play.

The last two games, we got the ball back up the court quicker. We got into our sets and back to continuity. That’s how we have to play and not for three quarters. We have to play that well for four quarters and especially in the fourth quarter.

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, why is Rondo not on the floor with seven seconds left against the Lakers?

You want shooting. You want all shooters on the floor. I knew I was going to Paul Pierce. If you’re not going to go to Rondo, and put the ball in Rondo’s hands to make the play if it’s a final shot, then you want your five best shooters on the floor. It’s not the only time we’ve done that and it’s why you do it.

If you only need two points, he can’t help with penetration?

Not if Rondo doesn’t have the ball in his hands. If it’s a low clock situation and Rondo does not have the ball in his hands, then Rondo’s guy will be the help guy. If you take that situation off the floor, then you have a great chance of having a one-on-one situation with Paul Pierce. Or what happens is they do double and the ball got swung to Ray Allen who was open. That’s natural basketball.

The way the Lakers played him, backing off him, and the way the Wizards hacked him: Do you worry about those two things catching on?

Everyone in the league is starting to do what the Lakers did. We’re seeing that a lot. Rondo’s handling it pretty well. I thought he handled it very well in that game. In the second quarter there was a stretch where Rondo basically got us back in the game and dominated the game. I was talking about that a couple of weeks ago. He’s grown in that area and I think he’s handling that. The second thing, I expected that to happen earlier. I’m surprised that it finally just happened and I think it will happen some more. I can’t be concerned about it. I think Rondo will handle that OK.

When Rashard Lewis and Ron Artest are able to get around Garnett, is that fatigue or is that the injury?

The Artest play, he was trying to deny the pass in the paint, so Kevin was just in the wrong spot. Then the Rashard Lewis play, he just took him off the dribble. Rashard Lewis is not a slow guy, but somebody else should have stepped up. That doesn’t concern me much at all. With Kevin, each game he’s going to get better. He needs more minutes and he’ll get those minutes and he’ll keep improving.

What happens when you tell Rasheed get down on the low block and he doesn’t do it?

A lot of times it is Rasheed. A lot of times it’s the play calling and the situation. In transition we call the first pick to the post, we don’t go to the right set, Rasheed rolls out and takes the shot. Rasheed is going to continue to take 3’s, and I don’t mind it as long as they’re open. I don’t ever want him to think about not taking a wide-open 3. Not just Rasheed, the whole second unit, especially right now with Paul out, it will be Ray, Eddie House, Rasheed Wallace, that’s a lot of shooting. But I don’t want them to fall in love with being jump shooters. I think Rasheed understands that.

Is this the Tony Allen we’ve been waiting for?

It is, but it’s also the Tony Allen that’s playing for a long period of time and get some rhythm, get some timing back. Defensively he’s been absolutely terrific.

With him starting you don’t get that energy for the second unit?

Hopefully it won’t be long until Paul gets back. We’re hoping Sunday that Paul will be back so we just have to get through it for a couple of games.

This is probably a better question for the GM, but we’ll ask you: Wouldn’t Ray Allen be more valuable to a team that’s trying get under the cap?

I think he would be. It depends on the team. Most of these teams are set up, but there’s a couple of teams that can get under the cap, but it’s unrealistic for those teams to get under the cap because they’re not going to get LeBron James. Teams that think they can get the LeBron James’ of the world, they’re pretty much are under it.

The only thing is that nobody knows what the [salary cap] number will be, so those teams will be aggressive. The thing that’s happening right now is everybody’s trying to give away their [expiring contracts] to those same teams and those same teams are trying to get a bargain. Eventually the trade stuff will end up, I don’t think with us, but around the league everybody’s trying to take advantage of everybody.

You know the term “sneaky fast.” Is that what makes Dwyane Wade so effective offensively?

I don’t know if that’s sneaky. It was pretty obvious last night. What sets him apart is his ball-handling ability. He’s a great ball handler. he changes direction as quickly as anybody I’ve ever seen. That’s what gives him his edge. Obviously he’s got great quickness but he also has great change of direction. Barry Sanders would be like Dwyane Wade if you put it in football terms. Jim Brown would be LeBron James.

Did you recruit him to Marquette?

No, I did not. I remember his freshman year, I was sitting with [former coach] Tom Crean. At the time the coaching staff thought that he would not make it and that he was too soft. Obviously that’s all changed.

What we’re you talking to Rondo about late in the [Miami] game?

We were talking about the play we were about to run. Rondo if has one problem, and he does it some times, if there’s four options on a play he’ll predetermine. I’ll always remind him let your instincts take over. Do not predetermine where the ball is going. And then I told him the next four things that we could run. His call, in transition, I’ll say here are the four things that I’m looking for. You call them. You don’t need to look at me.

Will you encourage Paul and/or Kevin to skip the All-Star game?

No, I won’t. Kevin if he plays, he won’t play a lot so I’m not worried about him. Actually I like them playing a little bit. Paul, it will depend on where we’re at with his health. I’ll give you an example. If Paul for whatever reason doesn’t play Sunday and Wednesday and is ready to play in the game against Sacramento [after the break] I would encourage him to go out and play in the All-Star game just to get a run. I think it would be good for him. Other than that, if it’s pain or of he needs a rest, then I would encourage Paul [to sit out.]

Pierce has to be one of the tougher guys in sports. We’ve seen him go down and think he’s out for a month and he’s back two days later.

Oh he is. He may be the toughest guy that I’ve coached or played with, as far as injury-wise. It’s amazing how he’s able to channel it out. Even at halftime of the Washington game. I know him well enough now. I said, ‘How are you?’ And he says, ‘Well, I’m just going to get through the game.’ To me that was a warning sign. That’s something he never says. That told me that he was in pain. That’s why I watched him and took him out and didn’t play him again. He’s a tough guy.

Who was the softest guy?

No names! There were a few there’s no doubt about it. You look at Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant, those two guys right now I’m amazed that both of them not only their ability to play with pain, but they’re ability to perform well with pain. It’s amazing.

Do you miss Leon Powe?

I’d love to have him I could tell you. We miss him now because of injury. That’s why you have Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis. Those guys and the combination of [Brian Scalabrine] and Shelden Williams, I think they’ll be fine. I just miss Leon Powe, period. That’s one great guy to have on your basketball team.

Who do you like Sunday?

I’m going with the Saints just because everybody is picking the Colts. So I’m going with the Saints. I have no knowledge on why I’m making that pick, but that’s who I’m going with.

[darrendaye]

Do you miss Leon Powe?

I’d love to have him I could tell you. We miss him now because of injury. That’s why you have Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis. Those guys and the combination of [Brian Scalabrine] and Shelden Williams, I think they’ll be fine. I just miss Leon Powe, period. That’s one great guy to have on your basketball team.

Would have loved to have followed that response with a more penetrating question. Something like, what discussions did you and Danny have that led to Powe not being re-signed? Did you believe you would play/need Giddens and Walker in 09/10 or was it completely a cost issue?

[Celts17Pride]

Al-Haqq,

Thanks for posting, much appreciated.

[ryaningf]

Why is the normally verbose Doc Rivers surprisingly brief when talking about Tony Allen? Not only in this interview, but in other ones I've seen this season? Any theories?

Is this a motivationaly ploy, where Doc doesn't want to praise him too much so as to keep him humble?

[MyInsatiableOne]

Why is the normally verbose Doc Rivers surprisingly brief when talking about Tony Allen? Not only in this interview, but in other ones I've seen this season? Any theories?

Is this a motivationaly ploy, where Doc doesn't want to praise him too much so as to keep him humble?

Probably so that none of TA's flaws are mentioned so Danny can dupe another team into taking him in a trade

[ryaningf]

Why is the normally verbose Doc Rivers surprisingly brief when talking about Tony Allen? Not only in this interview, but in other ones I've seen this season? Any theories?

Is this a motivationaly ploy, where Doc doesn't want to praise him too much so as to keep him humble?

Probably so that none of TA's flaws are mentioned so Danny can dupe another team into taking him in a trade

If that was the case, Doc could have easily given us 2 paragraphs of praise. Obviously, something else is afoot, since Doc can go on and on about ANYBODY. The fact that he deflected and held back was a conscious decision.

[darrendaye]

Why is the normally verbose Doc Rivers surprisingly brief when talking about Tony Allen? Not only in this interview, but in other ones I've seen this season? Any theories?

Is this a motivationaly ploy, where Doc doesn't want to praise him too much so as to keep him humble?

As I've mentioned before, TA's got to be a difficult player to coach, in that he's high maintenance. I also don't think Doc has ever found a consistent niche for him on offense. On defense, he is exceptionally versatile, whereas on offense, it's my theory that he should rarely space himself on the ball side of the court.

He should work almost exclusively on cuts and swing passes when he's on the perimeter or posting up when you invert your offense with shooting bigs. For the most part, they have followed that script, but I do see some instances when Rondo and TA are on the same side of the court with a big posting up. That just spells disaster because of the likelihood of either Rondo or TA being forced to shoot.

So I don't know that you can say anything specific about his offensive game because he doesn't get consistent opportunities on that side of the ball. It requires his teammates to set him up for driving opportunities.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Dunno. Doc has shown he isn't crazy about TA over the last few years, so he probably didn't feel like talking about him at all...

[darrendaye]

If that was the case, Doc could have easily given us 2 paragraphs of praise. Obviously, something else is afoot, since Doc can go on and on about ANYBODY. The fact that he deflected and held back was a conscious decision.

Ryan, hope I'm not out of line in offering this advice. But, I have learned who on this board is open to a discussion on this topic and who just parrots the same one-liners in every thread.

[MyInsatiableOne]

^dunno what you're talking about, he and I were having a discussion...he likes TA, I don't, we're discussing it...what's your problem with it?

Ryan, I agree, something may be afoot...maybe they're heavy in trade talks involving TA? Maybe not? It is strange...

[ryaningf]

Why is the normally verbose Doc Rivers surprisingly brief when talking about Tony Allen? Not only in this interview, but in other ones I've seen this season? Any theories?

Is this a motivationaly ploy, where Doc doesn't want to praise him too much so as to keep him humble?

As I've mentioned before, TA's got to be a difficult player to coach, in that he's high maintenance. I also don't think Doc has ever found a consistent niche for him on offense. On defense, he is exceptionally versatile, whereas on offense, it's my theory that he should rarely space himself on the ball side of the court.

He should work almost exclusively on cuts and swing passes when he's on the perimeter or posting up when you invert your offense with shooting bigs. For the most part, they have followed that script, but I do see some instances when Rondo and TA are on the same side of the court with a big posting up. That just spells disaster because of the likelihood of either Rondo or TA being forced to shoot.

So I don't know that you can say anything specific about his offensive game because he doesn't get consistent opportunities on that side of the ball. It requires his teammates to set him up for driving opportunities.

I think you make some great points about TA's offense and why and how he's wasted to a degree on this team (and why Daniels was wasted before his injury). Doc isn't good at excentuating the offensive abilities of guys who can't shoot well from range.

My point, and I probably didn't make it well enough, is that Doc praises everyone who deserves it, and sometimes those who don't deserve it. In fact, he's praised TA multiple times in the past, especially in the championship year when he basically pumped him up after every little good thing he did. He seems to have changed tack this season and I don't think it's out of some new found animus. I suspect it's a motivational ploy, and I think he's trying to purposefully downplay TA's contributions in order to keep TA humble. To me, that's interesting becaue I can't think of many examples in Doc's history where he's so clearly attempted a new motivational technique--usually, he picks one and sticks with it.

[Prophet_C]

Great read

[BillessuR6]

Thanks, Al-Haqq!

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, why is Rondo not on the floor with seven seconds left against the Lakers?

You want shooting. You want all shooters on the floor. I knew I was going to Paul Pierce. If you’re not going to go to Rondo, and put the ball in Rondo’s hands to make the play if it’s a final shot, then you want your five best shooters on the floor. It’s not the only time we’ve done that and it’s why you do it.

If you only need two points, he can’t help with penetration?

Not if Rondo doesn’t have the ball in his hands. If it’s a low clock situation and Rondo does not have the ball in his hands, then Rondo’s guy will be the help guy. If you take that situation off the floor, then you have a great chance of having a one-on-one situation with Paul Pierce. Or what happens is they do double and the ball got swung to Ray Allen who was open. That’s natural basketball.

I especially like these 2 answers. When Paul is the primary ball handler Rondo is useless on the court. Despite this fact in the last couple of years Doc had RR in on offense majority of time anyway...I am hoping this will be different from now on. Rondo`s poor free throw shooting is another reason to keep him off the floor. We saw what happened in the game against the clippers.

[ryaningf]

Thanks, Al-Haqq!

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, why is Rondo not on the floor with seven seconds left against the Lakers?

You want shooting. You want all shooters on the floor. I knew I was going to Paul Pierce. If you’re not going to go to Rondo, and put the ball in Rondo’s hands to make the play if it’s a final shot, then you want your five best shooters on the floor. It’s not the only time we’ve done that and it’s why you do it.

If you only need two points, he can’t help with penetration?

Not if Rondo doesn’t have the ball in his hands. If it’s a low clock situation and Rondo does not have the ball in his hands, then Rondo’s guy will be the help guy. If you take that situation off the floor, then you have a great chance of having a one-on-one situation with Paul Pierce. Or what happens is they do double and the ball got swung to Ray Allen who was open. That’s natural basketball.

I especially like these 2 answers. When Paul is the primary ball handler Rondo is useless on the court. Despite this fact in the last couple of years Doc had RR in on offense majority of time anyway...I am hoping this will be different from now on. Rondo`s poor free throw shooting is another reason to keep him off the floor. We saw what happened in the game against the clippers.

First of all, this interviewer must be (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

Second of all, the real question isn't why Rondo was on the court when Paul was the primary ball handler--the real question is why Rondo wasn't the primary ballhandler to begin with, when he's our best ball handler, best decision maker, and was having a great game.

[MyInsatiableOne]

^no kidding...I love Paul but he has a long-standing tendency to cough up the ball when the game is on the line and/or if he's asked to handle it too much...

[BillessuR6]

First of all, this interviewer must be (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

Second of all, the real question isn't why Rondo was on the court when Paul was the primary ball handler--the real question is why Rondo wasn't the primary ballhandler to begin with, when he's our best ball handler, best decision maker, and was having a great game.

Why? Because he can`t shoot free throws. You saw what happened in the clipper game...

[sully00]

^ To that point you only have 7 seconds you don't want to get stuck with Rondo being forced to take that jumper, if you have 5 other guys who want that shot. We are seeing signs of Rondo being able to knock shots down especially the corner 3 but right now he doesn't want it and the other team is playing too for 7 seconds they can force Rondo to beat them from 18 -20 feet or just put him on the line. Situations are unique and there are times when having Rondo on the floor makes sense and times when it doesn't.

[Banks2Pierce]

Wow. I liked that interview. I hate those guys but they actually asked real questions.

Regarding the TA short answer: some guys will get fat and happy with too much praise and Doc has realized throughout the years that TA is a guy you constantly have to keep on his toes. You don't want him too content with how he's playing because he can still get better. He is the same way with Rondo. He is hesitant to praise Rondo because he knows Rondo can still be a much better player. Rondo has no ceiling still.

Also, reading between the lines, I'd bet Ray is the one hurting ubuntu. "worrying about all star game" Who else could it be?

[darrendaye]

Could be Perk. It's a stretch, but it is no longer ridiculous to discuss the possibility of Perk making an all-star game.

[sully00]

I do love how Doc explains basketball.

You also have to love how the Rondo honks are cracking Doc' offense for play calling, and taking the ball out of Rondo's hands, not sticking with what works and being too focused on keeping everyone happy and it is Rondo himself that is doing it.

I think it is good, especially with Pierce out, you can see that Rondo is putting his imprint on the offense and it is getting better and better and I think he does have more control over the offense now than in previous years and while it isn't always a masterpiece now the team itself will be better for it as the season goes along.