Doc Rivers On KG’s Return, Starbury, And Rajon Rondo
May 8, 2009 – 7:16 am by Tas Melas
Some may look at Boston’s current postseason and say, ‘Hey, their first two series went to seven games and they won the ‘ship last season – this year’s not so different.’ This season has started off similarly – the C’s went seven with the Bulls and have split the first two in round 2 – but the difference in that championship run was the man that made them run is missing, Mr. Kevin Garnett. The Celtics had tried to let him get healthy at the end of the regular season in hopes that he would be back for round one, but the only floor he’s played on after game 82 is the practice floor. Seeing those images has planted the thought in Celtics fans’ minds that he’ll be back this postseason, and personally, I could definitely see that happening. The whole, ‘He’s saving himself for Cleveland’ theory will be popular in the media if he does return.
Without the f-bomb dropping chest-pounder, Head Coach Doc Rivers has struggled to find the heart and energy his team had in their Finals run. Rivers joined WEEIto discuss the possibility of KG returning, the play of Stephon Marbury, and Rajon Rondo ‘walking the dog.’
Are the equipment staff bringing Kevin Garnett’s uniform on the road to Orlando?
“That’s a good question, I’m assuming they do, but I don’t know the answer to that. (Host: Do you want them to bring Kevin Garnett’s uniform?) Yeah, I want him to be in it someday, but I don’t think that’ll happen, you know, not any time soon at least.”
Is Stephon Marbury taking the right shots?
“I think it’s half and half. I’m absolutely just gonna allow him to play. That’s one of the things I’ve been in his ear about a lot. I think at times where Steph gets himself in trouble, he predetermines a shot. We’re running a set and he’s coming off of the first option and there’s a couple options already about to be established, and he’ll take a shot. It’s almost like he’s taking the shot instead of letting it come to him but I think we have to allow him to do that so he can get comfortable.”
Does Rajon Rondo allow the ball the roll before picking it up (walking the dog) to be stylish?
“Rondo likes style, there’s no doubt about that, but no, I think he’s doing it because he’s trying to save clock and I think he’s actually trying to bait the player… Rafer (Alston) was actually the first guy to go for the ball (in game one vs Orlando), I think (Jose) Calderon, if you remember, early in the year, lunged at it but it was such a slow lunge that Rondo picked it up… And, he got a fast break for us… He’ll do it at the end of the halves when we’re trying to go for 2-for-1′s, or at the end of the game when we need to save clock.”
Tags: Basketball, basketball interviews, Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers, NBA, NBA Playoffs, Orlando Magic
