There is not one uniformed member in the Boston Celtics Before Game 1, on Thursday night, he had been in a NBA Finals game. Because of their vast Finals experience, much was made of this. Golden State Warriors But mostly because these storylines must be truffle hunted until the last soil is left.
You have to think there must be some element to this whole experience thing. The stakes are higher, the lights are brighter and the Warriors’ core are trying to win their fourth Finals in eight years. The Celtics players answered the question in almost every possible form, shrugging, and repeating “basketball, basketball.”
Their coach Ime Udoka was the exception. He said, gently, that he would do his part in advancing the story, when asked to before Game 1: “Well, our staff have some experience.” I’ve been two times, but I would say that I have more experience. [experience] It is generally overrated.”
Both sentences are related. Udoka’s extensive experience, to a certain extent, negates inexperienced players. He played with the club for two seasons. San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich was the assistant coach for the Spurs’ trips in 2013 and 2014. (A loss)
Udoka was clearly attentive.
His arms folded, he stands at the sideline with a calmness that resembles serenity. He doesn’t seem to be surprised or confused by anything that might happen during a game of basketball. The moment his team was founded (with a record 16-19 at one time), was his most difficult moment as a head coach. Everyone around him wondered why he didn’t yell at his players or throw things around the room. He was just too busy reading the book to destroy the room.
It is Udoka’s ability to project calm – as much as Al Horford3s are the wide-open lunch runs of the Threes. Marcus SmartThe defense of the Constitution and Jayson TatumThe Celtics are up 1-0 heading into Game 2 Sunday (8 p.m.) thanks to’s ability pivot from shot-maker and playmaker. ET, ABC and ESPN App
Udoka spoke during Saturday’s media conference, “In general we have guys that stay even-keeled. They don’t get rattled easy,” he said.
They did it in Game 1. They ran their opponent off court with a fourth quarter onslaught that decimated the battle-tested Warriors.
The fourth quarter was started by the Celtics at 12 — and they were not interested in missing any shots. They scored 17 goals unanswered at one point to increase their lead to 14. It was remarkable, incredible, and seemingly unending. Udoka did not blink an eye.
Tatum said that Tatum had to work hard in order to be where he is today. He carries that toughness with him, and instills it into the group every single day.”
Udoka called timeout during Boston’s fourth quarter run. He did this twice in 30 seconds, while his team was still rolling. It felt at the time that Udoka was doing Steve Kerr, the Warriors coach, a favor by playing the role as a cooler at the craps table.
Udoka’s team is up six at the 109-103 line with 3:47 to go (nine point into their 17-point winning streak). He responded to a miss Stephen Curry 3. and a Payton Pritchard You can rebound by calling the first timeout. He called another 30 seconds after the Celtics had scored. Draymond Green He had missed two free throws.
Udoka would lose both the Celtics and the Celtics in the last two minutes. Udoka had called four timeouts prior to calling the first. However, it is counterintuitive not to stop a massive run — twice! You can pull your team aside and reassess what is happening.
It was Udoka’s method of showing respect for his opponent and making sure that his team understood the importance of the job. Everybody knows the way the Warriors work: They are never more than a quick pass and turnover away from stringing together some 3s of their own to reenergize the crowd. An omission of concentration can lead to trouble. It’s one thing making a lot of 3s, as the Celtics did with seven consecutively to begin the fourth quarter. But it’s quite another to expect it. The man whose name means patience did his part by disrupting the flow of the game and allowing the Warriors to return to it.
It was obvious: Don’t waste all your hard work.
The Warriors went home trying to convince their self that they “dominated” the game for the first 41-42 minutes, as Green said. The Celtics won the game, while Udoka managed it.
Smart stated, “He coached the greatest Pop coach ever,” He’s a sponge. He soaked up every drop of water he saw and then brought it back to us.
It’s all about energy. You’ll rock with the right energy. If it isn’t, you won’t. It’s simple. I believe the energy has been contagious for us all.”
While it may seem unusual, sometimes it’s better to use that energy to control everyone else’s. It’s the type of move that looks much like the result from experience.