Firstly, clutch if there is a more relevant thread, please merge or delete this thread, I had a quick look and didn't see too much current McHale discussion. Since the first half of the season was marred by many a fire McHale thread, I'm just trying to get everyone's thoughts on coach now. Have many changed their mind about him? I too was frustrated but he's made some good adjustments and I think I am coming around. Tonight for example was a great example of a coach making adjustments.
Kevin McHale coached a great game. He never gave up on the team and didn't let them give up on themselves even though there were several times during the game that the players body language suggested that they were ready to call it a night.
Actually I really think he shouldve put DMo in the 4th when Aldridge was beasting and as a result Harden picked up those fouls. I thought Dmo wouldve been able to defend him well without fouling. Overall though im pretty OK with him as our coach because all the players respect him and listen to him. That is a big reason why the team is so close and has good chemistry. He is a father figure for them.
Glad he stayed with the small ball lineup. Think it provided the necessary mismatches for us to comeback and steal this one.
As good as we have played they will proberbly try to share the award around and give it to doc rivers.
I actually like McHale. He made sensible gambles (that won and lost us games) but its not like they were unnecessary ones. The only part of his coaching I didnt like was the fact that he kept a pretty short rotation even during the long regular season but i'm glad he has adjusted and has given Dmo was playing time - where he has proven to be vital in some games.
Man I was skeptical at the 3 guard lineup and since Lin played bad lately but proved me wrong. All the LOFs should look at that and see how much faith Mac. Had in him.
Who would you take out to put DMo in? They were playing small ball with the three guards, Parsons, and Dwight. It was an effective lineup.
I didn't think the hate was ever deserved, he has overachieved ever since he first got here... people that blame Mchale are the same ones that freak out over every play.
I wasn't too keen on the Twin Towers lineup late in the first half, but overall he coached a good game and he's been solid since the new year. I think having a healthy roster obviously helps. He's not one of those coaches who's a master at getting the most out of a depleted team. But the execution lately has been good in close games, they're no longer taking crappy opponents lightly, and they've come back and won more than a few(i.e. Wizards, in Phoenix, tonight) that they would've lost earlier in the season.
I think the revelation that we intentionally don't call many plays and Morey encouraging players to create out of random ball screens puts less pressure on McHale's in game coaching abilities and more focus on his leadership abilities (which is why Morey hired him in the first place).