He expected too much.
Following the game, Rivers met with his coaching staff outside the locker room, with the head coach miffed about the mental mistakes and lack of focus. Meanwhile, the Celtics players talked among themselves, trying to figure a remedy for this discouraging tide after winning nine of 10 games.
These were the Celtics of early January. They were unsure of offensive plays, missed numerous defensive assignments while the rebounding (Raptors, 42-34) and loose-ball battle were mismatches.
Obviously angry and visibly bewildered, Rivers took the unusual approach of calling out his players’ desire and passion.
“We were awful,’’ he said. “I was really frustrated with our execution. I mean we couldn’t even run a play out of a timeout. That’s focus or something.
“It’s part of coaching, it shouldn’t be but it is. You have to just keep finding the right button.
“Everybody gets frustrated with each other and I saw that today. Two guys knew the play, one guy didn’t. And it drains energy. Not being a professional drains energy. And being a professional is knowing every set you run, knowing your rotation because it’s draining for the pros who know, who do the work.’’
Rivers then lauded the play of newcomer Mickael Pietrus, perhaps an unveiled shot at veterans who lacked concentration.
“Mickael Pietrus, and I use him as an example, he’s been here the least amount of time and he knows every single rotation and every single set,’’ said Rivers. “Because he’s a pro. And it’s just unacceptable [not to know the sets].’’
When asked if the overtime loss Thursday should be considered a factor in last night’s effort, Rivers said, “If you’re mentally weak. If they want to use the overtime [Thursday], then we are not mentally tough enough to be a winner. If you’re tough, you come in and grind this one out and win it, too. If you’re not, you use [Thursday] as an excuse.”
The Celtics met after the game and one player said it was not a “finger-pointing’’ session but more of a way to hash out some issues and prevent a backslide.
