Quote:
Originally Posted by anakin Just because you have the talent, doesn't mean the players have the consistent attitude. Larry built on the RC's good foundation and had the benefit of Wallace being brought in. They played up and down with LB too. This up and down play has existed well before Flip arrival. CB said that it human tendency to loosen up with a 3-0 lead, not a direct quote but paraphrased.
You would never see Zeke or Joe D display this non-chalance in their heydays. They came out playing to win, doesn't mean they did. You can't coach effort. Ben for example always came out and worked hard, you couldn't blame his energy or effort. You can't say that about every one this team. More than ever before, it's a players league. I am not disagreeing with you about Flip's hand in all this. I think it's high time to start focusing on the players as they shown this behavior for a long time. They are one factor that has not changed. |
I only differ with you on minor points. They played up and down with LB, but during the regular season. But, once the playoffs started, they put the peddle down and really only lost games when teams played that much better than them. You didn't get the feeling that, say, Billups took the 1st half off because LB wouldn't allow it. That's why these guys would tire of LB chewing their ears. When he didn't get the effort, he would pound these guys for it. In response, they would slack less often because they got sick of hearing about it (with the exception of Memo and Darko).
Yes, you are right, Billups and/or any players that slack deserve blame. My biggest gripe is with Flip because if you
KNOW the players will do it, you have a responsibility as coach to either, 1)
Rip them a new one, 2)
Bench them when they do it, or 3)
admit you don't have the stones to hold your players to a high standard of effort or performance.
You can't coach effort, but when you are not getting it, you are obligated to react. You cannot, as coach, just throw up your arms and say how these guys have to bring the appropriate effort. There HAS to be some form of consequence or alternative approach if you are not getting the effort. Flip fails far too often in this regard. He is content to just shrug and tell you that he can do nothing if the players don't bring the energy.