Doc on His Way…

Posted by Adam Hart December 1, 2008 at 5:49 pm

To another non-win in the Coach of the Year voting. Hey, I’m just going on past results, and all signs point to him playing the bridesmaid for a second straight year.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers has been named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for November. He deserves it, too. The C’s are (16-2), coming off their World Championship. I believe they say repeating is one of the hardest thing to do in sports, due to a sometimes complacent team and the giant bullseye on the Champs’ backs. Doc has avoided those problems thus far, even after losing James Posey.

But don’t think that will catapult Doc to COY status.  Last year, he won 3 out of 6 Coach of the Month awards, but still lost out to Byron Scott of the Charlotte Hornets. I voiced my opinion on that sham at the end of last season — no need to do it again.

Why do I actually think Doc deserves the award this year? Beats me. Because looking back at its history, it is really more of a “Guy Who Coached the Surprise Team of the League This Year” Award.

Phil Jackson, the greatest timeout-taker in NBA history, only won the award once — the 1995-1996 season, when his Bulls team went (72-10). It was the best record ever recorded by an NBA team. Unless the Celtics rival that accomplishment, there is no way Doc can win.  In short, the award goes to the feel good story of the year, or to the guy who coaches a team to an historic season.

Sitting at (16-2), the C’s are just a little under 1/4 through the season.  If we multiply that out, it puts the C’s at (64-8) through 72 games.  With 10 remaining, the C’s could only lose 2 the rest of the way out to match that feat.  Is it doable?  Yes.  If the Celtics can avoid injuries, suspensions and just plain old rest for their aging legs once they lockup the top seed in the East, it’s possible.  With that said, let me remind you: “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a merry Christmas.”