I remember even after the Celtics won the championship, a lot of people on this site refused to give Doc any credit. What about now? Moving KG top the 5 spot was a brilliant move btw.
Many coaches have tried to move KG to the 5, he has resisted it. Doc is still one of the best coaches in the NBA for an experienced squad. Spoelstra is horrendous though, which makes the Celtics look better.
In personnel management I would put Doc second in the NBA after Pop. I think he runs the best out of bounds plays as well.
Remember when Doc got to the playoffs with a bunch of scrubs in Orlando? Doc has always been good. Everyone knew he was going to be a good coach when he was playing.
Doc is a good coach, but where was he last year when they lost to the Heat 1-4. Players and injuries can really affect if a coach looks good or bad.
Spoelstra has been thoroughly outcoached. It happens, I'm not piling on. Maybe he's playing to what he has....lets his superstars iso and the role players, uh, role-play. He certainly gets no love from Dwyane "I'm-all-that" Wade.
He has come a long way but always had the tools to succeed. His coaching career has evolved how i feel Scott Brooks' will. The difference is Brooks doesn't have Thibs during his growth period.
I think Maurice Cheeks is the perfect head assistant for the Thunder -- two PG coaches for Westbrook and Harden. Plus, I'm willing to bet the defensive strategy is coming from Cheeks ... and the OKC defense is what is winning this game -- a defensive clinic on an supposed SAS offensive clinic. So, could Thibs defense (as an assistant) be any better? I'd say it's a wash for what the Thunder need and what the two assistants would bring. I think highly of both Thibs and Cheeks.
I'd be an Elite Coach if I had Paul Pierce and then KG, Ray Allen and Rondo walked through that door.
