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I know Doc isn't the one bricking jumpers left and right but his game coaching is just plain horrible. Did anyone notice the lineup he sent out to start the 4th quarter? The Cavs are on a 7-2 run to close the third and he decides to put in Big Baby for the first time basically in the series to start the fourth quarter. He promptly turns it over on a bad pass to pierce and then commits a foul and then double teams and leaves Joe Smith wide open for an easy lay up. Why in the world, in the biggest spot of the game would you put in a rookie who hasn't seen the floor yet?? Makes no sense. His substitution pattern is always bad but he's killing the C's right now.
Strategy wise, with Lebron struggling so much I don't think they need to do as much double teaming when he is on the perimeter. Wait until he drives to send another guy. But they are doubling on the pick and roll leaving open shooters and the Cavs are knocking them down. Doc just does not make the right adjustments. Mike Brown has made several throughout the series that have paid huge dividends. Doc keeps running the same plays over and over again, often times leaving the ball in the hands of Rondo with the clock ticking down. The offense needs to run through the post and KG. I don't care if he's catching it at the elbow at least he can create double teams and find open shooters. Pierce and Allen are locked up. Pierce is doing a great job on Bron and Bron is shutting down Pierce. Ray Allen is getting used by Wally. That is concerning. All in all, if they make any shots this game they have a chance to win. Sam Cassell hasn't made a shot on the road all playoffs. Time for Eddie House on the road. But I don't think Doc is capable of that kind of adjustment.
Ok, this rant is over. I don't have a lot of confidence that the C's can stop this momentum. I mean, Lebron hasn't even played well yet and it's 2-2. A bunch of role player stiffs are beating the C's. And our stars can't make shots. Recipe for an early exit.
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