Doc Rivers, Celtics Head Coach

Welcome back fourth and final -- dinners Dennis and Callahan a we conversation. With Doc Rivers is brought -- in part by Lexus of Watertown and arsenal street and by the McCallum graduate school of business at Bentley universal last and we took the -- the room. In seven and two yet says this -- least drops chatting -- yeah it's sort of got to thank. -- going to cause you got like a week ago just try to break -- they got a you know the numbers six loss in eight games scored eleven points in the fourth or last night. Outscored fifteen to six in the final minutes -- be concerned mode. Are you in the worried mode or you anywhere near the panic mode at this point --

Probably not although W always concern relative to lose one game or or win a game and and don't play well you are concerned. With that game bore all the way you do display in. But you know there's there's been good to improve and we'll look.

If you actually had practiced time in the gym and I know you don't. Of these three things that are glaring airs on -- like a hundred more on the coach's mind. Defensive lapses offensive futility and turnovers which one how would you rate those in rural what you would try to fix first of yet some gym time.

Well probably didn't have lapses. Because that's what we are and know doing the stretch we still in my opinion we've been a good because -- well we haven't been. It would close so good defense team and get in a strange. You know we we have Matt -- but it stopped you look at the Charlotte in. Your game and in the game last night. We played defense and total during stretches minus Charlie given that -- have a good -- very old right. But down the stretch when the game slopes. When he -- the negative stuff about something that. We can -- better. A lot of that is just our breakdown and some opening drive the -- up against doesn't. In the second thing would be to alternate. Golf and been great for the most part. You know look at will -- secular -- certainly didn't in the you know percentage. This. And -- down the stretch with -- that major now. Last night and the night before. We could guard within -- we got. What they just didn't go hand but you know like I told our guys in Europe in a game where you need to make a basket and those bastards are pretty. And that's where you can you gotta get a stop. There it would have been admitted that.

Rondo said after the game -- out hustled us and it. Do you agree with that dockers it to.

I thought -- thought New York game. Clearly wanting. Played harder and I thought the short game stretches that was true but for the most part I thought we played pretty darn shoulder about where -- You know alive you don't know but when you watch it on Nomar really do that probably -- last night -- we played hard last night but they're good -- You have to improve throughout the -- Menard did early on in games. The stretch when teams are playing well wouldn't that he couldn't see your couldn't leave well. We'll still win the -- In and also in and I think that -- have turned to overdone and it will.

Is it an act or more a problem of those intangibles of emotion and energy and other teams getting up for you or is it more of an x.s and those problem in this latest slump.

Well -- wear -- always Mexico and are probably very. The intangible for this there's probably. And then there's an earlier losses probably the major reason. But I think even through -- We just let it be better always try to pointed -- personal and that. -- you'll emotions. Or things like that always sports exchange -- Argument. And I just think that you know we have to focus -- low. Did you know an -- well and then you know everything else falls out of players -- important that where you want to play.

Do you put any stock in the theory that have heard some people espouse that the sprint out of the gate was too fast too intense and not sustainable.

Well I'd -- do you think it was important confessed it was system's great and and then obviously pick up and out of -- but pay most of I'd rather put money in the very you know yeah and that's exactly what we did very good if we do -- Because. As poorly as we played. Over the last eight games. You know we want to have a great week we played poorly and some of the Weirton. We're we're one game two games out of home court advantage so thank goodness we did come out of the gate there was.

When you say -- issue is you're not getting defensive stops at the end of the game to close out quarters and games mostly and -- missing. Good open shots at the end of the game doesn't that scream fatigue.

No I do think we're tired but I think everyone tired that go that -- Dog -- to negotiate this little stretching your between -- always do it and and that the bill the lip of the team. There's absolutely no problem. You know but I think everyone cement -- right now and we know the -- the couple and the cavs have been. Are just a tough little stretch for overlooked and and the Mets ripped up until fight through it. -- haven't Kamal that long winning streak. They've been going into this stretch is probably more just well.

Here's another theory I heard out of all but put any stock into a bowling is more port whether you do. The loss to the Lakers on Christmas Day flipped a switch and things have changed since then. When's the losses certainly has changed remembered that game do anything to your team psychologically doc.

Though it may have probably not -- to -- but look -- That game whether you won or lost. At that I am most concerned that I will also themselves on the record as a met before red. Because -- throughout the bad -- you have the rest of the west coast trip. And you know long stretch and a lot of tough games before the All-Star break. And -- over -- game did it matter that you go to our guys talked about it there. Home thought about it. What do you want a loss after that game going to be difficult. That I didn't do it is difficult noted.

Why is -- last night -- big baby was spent so much time. On Ming is that your best defender for that situation could.

Well -- Open bidders are hard to believe in him. No what Brady does decide -- would have pushed about a way to the basket. I mean stuff you know validated that. In games food is these that would give himself himself. And so it further clarified it one -- I mean. Felt liberated them.

Always wondered how many time how many times in your life dark. Have you had a guy covering you who was a foot short of the new.

That there -- near -- and everybody had put in practice.

I mean it's it's funny you watch -- as a young men against either one more more big baby to say contesting the shot is not possible. He's just --

Football baby though she's. Is do your work early meaning try to fire the ball blocked an extra couple they do it. You know still made the -- developing into the very. And that full. As we talk but -- a lot of that you know boot in the future -- our -- you lose let him and that's one of the things would love to sit back from now. Did have a longer player. -- the -- like. But we don't have that in fifth place Kevin. The entire game terribly potent third and so that's which are left with.

Does do the solitude is James Posey speak about guys who aren't here.

Well right now but don't put our women we do yeah we didn't eight games ago. And then went -- sort of you know employed right now did you would miss. But. You like going to be here and that's what I tell our guys bullet. This is we have been and will make do with.

You you can't talk about. Specific guys and the contact other team stock but -- need. Somebody. And in that somebody wouldn't be the longer we just talked about of the backup point guard we keep. We -- Breeden and here in about.

Well over there a backup point guard Matt I've said that all year I think we need another -- Because. Given what Tony Allen and Tony's been -- up and down in you know we need him to be more consistent. It's still situation one guard from last year they'll actually played poker and don't don't read this is definitely going to play golf -- it was stolen much. But that allowed rate of -- more rests. This year to watch those outplayed ready twelve straight minutes or Paul twelve straight minutes they're built a very. Because we don't have that over there are. I think it's sort of going to help us packages start and help us. Agencies and government orders started to all the things we need to do. Defensively. And if it and continue to improve. -- duked it out some of our towards our world won't won't go away the drug. Is capable front in the city and with the limited on the floor but off David would be more but two. Which is good for it.

I know you can't talk or won't talk about players that aren't on your team but as a general. Theory a what -- an NBA coaches general approach -- and thought process be when he -- the pluses and minuses are bringing a high maintenance potentially disruptive but offensively capable player into the mix of a team that's won a championship the year before but might be struggle a little bit this year. Auditorium -- and catch this guy but it. --

Yeah exactly -- we do so -- guts or the -- a tough one and and you guys know that in. A big believer in the locker room. Big believer in character. And the only way I can tell you that that would happen. We do that. I would have players still made that there will limit it -- Because other than that I will tell you I would not -- too.

Have any said the willing to take the risk.

Well so -- never happens you'll know barefoot.

said you would not be willing.

Our medical I didn't think it would have been great for a -- You know I would have -- Really look at look at that and depending on who was then there's a lot of different -- felt. But I would have to think you know what. I think we did through this with the players we have -- And then -- locker room and then it still would go to the players to do some. Someone that I thought. Should affect and bit of the players know they give you an alternate no. Are you don't do that they'll put that Belichick ownership. Then. You have to coach and good -- we'll be okay as well. They're veteran Jamaica.

So tells me that after last year's success you and your team once somebody who would buy into the whom would -- thing again.

Quote best everything went that yet you know -- if you look at the the Spurs is just an advantage you all want that that -- American women the secretary of one of thing step up blurred you know. My my rookie year to protect at all that a ligament broad range. From almost it was totally don't employers that that I had adopt. For the guys treated -- group. -- have -- gotten it and supported them. You don't have to -- started out I told of every single comment that I that I've gotten from all the coaches. But because the -- and has what my thing. You know also you gotta just do what you have met some of the political -- as well. Did you -- allow that why did doormat -- before.

A doctor in a perverse kind of way it's a trip to play the Cavaliers in Cleveland where they've won eighteen straight good for your basketball team. Or you rather be hosting the Oklahoma City -- ignites the.

Well but it does where do something -- yeah. And that never bad. Of which which -- better leader. Without. What about -- we're struggling right now and it just gives up to play him you know we go there when the day and will let changed things. Probably. But it may just feel better. And if you don't play well -- there it doesn't do every group gut that this. The start reputed Dolan so they're probably going to bet on the way to test.

Do you think LeBron traveled.

No it was a crap verbal and there -- to draw the there I'd never heard that actually well. We drove it crept aboard a bit when but crept -- world let me correct abroad is actually going to be. There's on the pole Mo. And you backed down. But it would triple. You know powerful actually the only move last night we're noted bounced report cards and slowly judging people and --

I guess -- I mean obviously it's technically that travel the question was can you believe they actually called.

Well matter at that point activated bad. But listen right now with the preferable to -- is the free agent -- that it -- the --

And -- in the last couple weeks and Toronto's game changed or is how he being defended changed.

You know I think he's been defended. -- been the same all year I think he's adjusted better better at. I thought or did a terrific job of that I thought last night -- lived on the best -- you're up that much thought. You know Roger -- had good stretches finish well in -- what that. It it does affect that it doesn't know that you actually missed what you're an -- and that there is stuff sometimes when. And got Mickens -- to -- They're allowed to help even more and evaluate -- Whitner helped put up with two guys -- And Rondo had drives but the same time you know it makes it difficult already covered and bats -- around it was so important to us but it does --

So we'll be sitting in front of the TV with little Florida you'll. You gators ban all would you be one of those big Gator hat since -- and you watch the game tonight.

I gotta gotta -- I I will not where they -- but I am truly interested in this state without really part of the gators. Urban and I've become very different and and -- in last night and I've been rejected today. So I'm really looking toward his statement I just going to sit put Abreu out you know in Oklahoma guy. And I and I cant pitch him anymore so our. -- I ruined -- didn't removed.

What if they don't you have to wear and Oklahoma -- show.

I'm smart enough that the that the benefited more because those -- to come -- and did you.

The you'd you'd rather wear the -- than just -- Clifford yup and for the next couple at a restaurant I would -- assert that. If you would talk. You get advice from -- like serious questions about. Coaching about leading leading man.

Yeah I did I -- a lot of coaches got that look football coaches to really think about it we have to dole with fifty players. -- foot -- and I don't know what the numbers are 5044.

What college. And plus our coach. Owners that we -- coaches are always been impressed with what -- organization cubicle or approach.

It ejection think that the way for what that America was going to do any damage when you some of the pre game last night duck.

Well it is that was shooter and at the open we told our guys. You want to despite -- that didn't --

The rocket docket yet now we're back in a routine I think things are all going to change Friday night. But I -- talked about it later. Thank you these debut I would conversation with the Rockies brought due in part by Lexus of watered down on -- street and by the McCallum graduate school business and -- university.