On January 19th, the Boston Celtics team took a rest and adjusted their status.
After the start of the new season, the Celtics were in a very bad situation. They suffered five consecutive losses.
This is the team's worst start to the season since the Big Three were formed in 2008.
The aging of the Big Three is becoming more and more serious, and the team's previous high-pressure defensive style of play consumes a lot of players.
Especially with the degradation of Kevin Garnett, the Hulk can no longer contribute to the league's strongest defense like it did in its peak period.
The team needs to seek innovation and change, change its overall operating ideas, and continue to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Rivers' coaching staff has been under a lot of pressure lately and they have to make adjustments.
Even though the Big Three have aged, the Celtics still have potential to tap after years of training and the remaining abilities of the players.
The Celtics' goal this season is not to fail, but to continue to go further in the playoffs.
Yesterday on the 18th, the Celtics finally won their first victory of the new season. They defeated the Toronto Raptors 96:73.
This score reminds people of an NBA game almost 10 years ago, a high-intensity defensive battle that could suppress the opponent's score below 80 points.
However, such scores are becoming increasingly rare in the current league. Only a few teams in the Eastern Conference, such as the Heat, Celtics, Bulls, and 76ers, still adhere to the Eastern tradition and carry out tough defense to the end.
In the West, the Denver Nuggets, Spurs, Thunder, and Clippers have averaged over 100 points per game.
The success of the Dallas Mavericks last season inspired many people. Every team is studying pick-and-rolls, three-pointers, and zone defense.
After the start of the new season, the Los Angeles Clippers' whirlwind of super firepower, scoring over 100 points in every game, has made every team feel the wind of the new era blowing.
It's just that the West Coast is too far away from the East Coast. As the Celtics, who benefit from defense, it is impossible to accept the new trend so quickly.
The trend is just a trend and has not really formed a trend. As a remnant of the old era, the Green Army must stick to their traditions.
In the conference room at the Celtics Training Center, Doc Rivers and his assistant coaches discussed the team's next steps.
The victory against the Raptors on the 18th allowed Rivers to breathe, otherwise he would really be on the verge of dismissal.
The team's losing streak cannot be entirely blamed on the coach, but the opponent at the start was indeed too strong.
The Pacers, Mavericks, Bulls, and Thunder are all very strong teams.
The Pacers have become one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference after signing David West.
The Mavericks are the defending champions, the Bulls ranked first in the regular season last season, and the Thunder are overflowing with talent.
The Celtics looked old and tired in front of them, but they couldn't fight defensively.
You let your opponent score 80 points, no problem, but you can only score 70 points?
So how do you win?
Therefore, Rivers hopes the team can make changes in the offense.
The assistant coaches each have their own opinions. Old partners like Armand Hill and Kevin Eastman believe that the team can maintain the status quo and make slight adjustments.
"In fact, there is no problem with our defense. We have shifted the focus of our offense from the inside to the outside, improved Rondo and Bradley's ball rights, further improved the state of Allen and Pierce, and alleviated Kevin Garnett's offense. Pressure, let him focus on defense, and finally, ensure Jermaine's health. We will still be fully competitive this season. The tacit understanding and experience of our team are the best."
"If Rondo hadn't been injured in the playoffs, Cleveland might not have been able to win us."
"This season is very special. Just look at the statistics after the start of the season. The scores and efficiency of each team have declined compared to last season. To be honest, Doug, we have experienced 1999, like this A shortened season will end up being a worse season. Whoever makes fewer mistakes will have the last laugh."
Armand Hill came to the Celtics as an assistant coach with Rivers in the 2004-2005 season.
He previously worked as an assistant coach for the Eagles and was one of the contributors to the Celtics' championship win in 2008. He has been following Rivers for many years and is the first assistant coach.
His words carry weight and make sense.
The number one problem for each team in the shortened season is not tactics and configuration, but injuries and running-in.
Injuries will definitely increase under an intensive schedule.
The preseason is cancelled, the regular season is shortened, and tactical adjustment will be a big problem.
Last season, the league just started a trend of some new tactics, but they did not continue well due to the lockout problem.
The offensive statistics of each team have declined, obviously affected by the long layoff.
Kevin Eastman also said: "Look at the Los Angeles Clippers. I heard that Smart resigned as head coach. Although they won 6 games in 6 games, the team did not produce anything special. Smart They are just messing around, making such a big lineup rotation. Their ability to win depends on the stability of the lineup and the running-in of multiple seasons. I think we should also focus on stability."
These two assistant coaches have been Rivers' right-hand men, and what they both said made sense.
But Rivers still looked at the others and asked them if they had any other opinions.
Jimmy Young and Longabadi are also Celtic veterans, and their opinions are consistent with Eastman and others.
The only one left who didn't speak was Tyronn Lue.
Lu joined the Celtics at the end of 2009 and is the director of the Basketball Development Center.
Simply put, it is to provide guidance and help to new players on the team.
After two seasons as the director of the Basketball Development Center, he became the team's assistant coach this season.
The assistant coach is a very important position in the team, similar to the "management reserve group".
Once you become an assistant coach, it means you have the opportunity to become the team's head coach or front office executive.
It is a transitional position between workers and leaders.
With Tyronn Lue's qualifications in the league and championship experience, his promotion is quite fast.
Tyronn Lue thought for a while and said: "I...I think it is a good choice to put Kevin Garnett more in the fifth position. Maybe we can consider letting Kevin play center completely and leave. One big and four small paths.”
In the summer, the Celtics gave up Shaquille O'Neal and signed O'Neal Jr. to form an inside partner with Kevin Garnett.
Seven or eight years ago, the Celtics' inside combination could simply sweep the league.
It's a pity that both O'Neals are late in their careers, suffering from injuries, and their condition is really not good.
Garnett's condition is still good. Occasionally Rivers will let him play center at the fifth position, and the effect is not bad.
Armand Hill immediately retorted, saying: "Kevin can only play center occasionally. If you ask him to play the five position, he will go crazy, and it will not be a good thing for his knees."
Tyronn Lue said: "I understand, but...but now the internal confrontation is not so fierce."
"The risk of injury is much higher when playing the fifth position than the fourth position. We cannot afford Kevin to be injured again."
Garnett's reimbursement in 2009 is an eternal pain in the era of the Celtics' Big Three.
Moreover, it is well known that Garnett dislikes playing the five position.
So when he signed up for the NBA draft, he deliberately reported his height lower.
Lu has a lot of ideas, but among the assistant coaches, he is the most junior and underrepresented.
Rivers seemed to simply want to listen to different opinions to show his openness.
Without too much debate, Rivers decided to focus on stability and the team continued to maintain its current style.
Appropriately increase Bradley's playing time, allowing Rondo to have more control over the team's offense, while Kevin Garnett further functionalizes defense and manages the team's injuries.
It can be regarded as a kind of fine-tuning for the unfavorable start. I believe that as the season progresses, the team's record will gradually improve.
Tyronn Lue doesn't have much else to say. As a new assistant coach, he still needs to listen more, remember more, and think more.
There is still a long way to go to truly become a head coach.
After coming out of the office after the meeting, Lu took out his silent cell phone and took a look at it, and received a text message from Jeff Ball.
"Tylen, are you interested in becoming the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers? If you have any ideas, please call back."
Some people died, but not completely...
