Celtics Pregame Locker Room Report

Posted by Brian Robb on Mar 15, 2010 67465 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F03%2F15%2Fceltics-pregame-locker-room-report%2FCeltics+Pregame+Locker+Room+Report2010-03-15+23%3A36%3A56Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D6746

Reporting live from the TD Garden, we had a very quiet Celtics locker room in the pregame, where there were no sighting of any of the starting five during media availability.

Instead, we had an extended interview with Doc Rivers in the pregame, who was pretty candid about how much of a “challenge” it has been to coach this team, this year. A few quotes from the session:

On Marquis Daniels’ recent struggles

“He has to play better, point blank. He has to play better and harder….and better. The new guys may have thrown him off but he has to play better. Marquis has it in him, he knows that and I expect that of him. He’s a role player and we need his energy every single night. He can’t afford to ease his way into games, he’s too talented to do that. He’s only going to play 20 minutes a night so he needs to be a factor when he’s in the game.”

On Rasheed Wallace after being asked if he has to play better:

“Yes, absolutely.”

Nice and blunt Doc. I think Doc’s patience is wearing thin on the overpriced center. I wonder if we will see a little more of Shelden tonight against the terrific offensive rebounding Pistons, if Sheed reverts back to his lazy habits.

On the challenges of coaching this team:

” In some ways, it’s very enjoyable, I know that sounds crazy, but it’s a group that you had to get your hands dirty. Push buttons, get on different guys you never thought you would have to, in some ways it’s been very difficult but in some ways It’s a joyous challenge. I’m excited by it in a crazy way, if we can get this right, it’s an unbelievable challenge. If you get it right, it will be an unbelievable feeling at the end.”

More on these quotes after the game, but I think, behind the scenes everyone is having a tough time trying to keep this squad together. More live updates to come, throughout the night from the Garden on press row.