Defense the difference for short-handed Celts

Conversely, it was Boston's ferocious, quick-handed and relentless defense that ultimately made the difference.

With all the fuss from the announcers about the retired numbers in the rafters, under the direction of Doc Rivers and Tom Thibedeau, the Celtics are paying particular attention to the game plan of one of those blessed numbers:

That would be No. 6, worn by Bill Russell, who proved beyond a doubt that defense wins championships.

Straight Shooting

There should be little argument about the NBA's best-ever coaches — Red Auerbach, Gregg Popovich, Phil Jackson and Pat Riley represent the créme de la créme. Just a notch below are Jerry Sloan, John Kundla, Chuck Daly, Bill Sharman, Don Nelson and Red Holzman.

Tim Floyd never did well as a head coach in the NBA. (Jonathan Daniel /Allsport / Getty Images)

But who are the all-time worst coaches? It's easy to suggest Tim Floyd, who was 49-190 with the Bulls after Jerry Krause broke up the Jackson-Jordan-Pippen dynasty. But Floyd was, in fact, a solid coach who did an honorable job in a horrible situation.

Also deserving consideration is Clair Bee, who went 34-113 with the Baltimore Bullets from 1952-54. If his recruiting practices at Long Island University were somewhat shady — his reign there was devastated by betting scandals — Bee (like Floyd, Len Hamilton, Lon Kruger and many others) was an example of a college coach who couldn't make the jump into the hard-bitten world of pro ball.

There are several examples of coaches who were best qualified to be assistants who failed utterly in the command seat, guys like Sidney Lowe and Gar Heard. But here are my picks for the worst NBA coaches ever:

Jerry Tarkanian did have an almost acceptable 9-11 record when he coached the Spurs in 1992. However, he had no idea how to conduct a practice session, a shootaround or even a timeout. Indeed, he was so incompetent that his assistants (Tom Thibedeau, Ron Adams and Rex Hughes) simply took over, leaving Tark babbling his nonsense to himself.

But the reigning dunce has to be Roy Rubin, who went 4-47 with Philly in 1972-73. Here's an oft-told tale that illustrates Rubin's ineptitude:

In his very first meeting with his players, Rubin presented himself as a disciplinarian who'd accept no excuses. These were his rules: There'd be a strict dress code for road trips. No exceptions. No beer drinking in the locker room. No exceptions. No smoking in the locker room. No exceptions.

At that point, Freddie Carter raised his hand.

"But Coach," Carter said. "I've been smoking in the locker room ever since I've been in the league. That's the only way I can calm down and get ready to play."

Rubin didn't even blink.

"OK," he said. "You can smoke, Freddie, but you're the only one."

That's when his players knew Rubin didn't have a clue.

But it got worse.

During timeouts when the team needed a score, he'd ask for suggestions. At halftime, no matter what the score, Rubin would say, "You're doing good. Keep up the good work."

Then he'd ask the trainer how much time was left, and would walk out of the locker room.

However, on the basis of the Knicks' miserable performances since Larry Brown was given the boot, Isiah Thomas is in danger of falling to the bottom of the list.

Vox Populi

Because of your insights, I've learned to spend more of my attention watching the off-ball action of NBA games. In doing this, I'm actually seeing plays develop and appreciating good team defense. It makes for a much deeper experience. Thanks! And now for the question: In the last 30 years, what do you consider to be the three most significant changes in the game? — Yan Lui, Baltimore

On the contrary, the thanks are due to you for being willing to see the game in a different way. Here are three of the most important changes that have made the game what it is today:

And a bonus addition...

However, as the best teams advance in the playoffs, the competition gets more physical, more basic, more team-oriented and offers less of the pinball, flash-and-pop type of game that the NBA has conditioned its fans to desire.

Travels with Charley

During my nine years on various CBA benches, I've coached (by actual count) 49 past or future NBA players. But the most surprising eventual NBAer was David Wood.

In the spring of 1987, I was with the Rockford Lightning and preparing for the upcoming CBA draft. At the time, the NBA's draft had three rounds, so there were still several outstanding players up for grabs.

The fourth overall pick (by Pensacola) was Mark Wade, an excellent guard who went on to appear in a total of 11 games for Dallas and Golden State. The eighth pick (by Topeka) was Cedric Hunter, who wound up playing one game for Charlotte. Other notable selections in that draft were Scott Brooks (by Albany), who went on to have a long career as both a player and assistant coach in the NBA. Also, Eric Musselman, at No. 58, was drafted by Albany, where his dad was coaching at the time.

David Wood was an unlikely NBAer for seven seasons. (Otto Greule /Allsport / Getty Images)

Rockford's initial selection was the seventh overall, and I chose Elfreim Jackson from Georgia State, who was cut early in training camp. My second-round pick was No. 18 overall, and heeding the advice of Sonny Alle, who'd coached him at Nevado, I tabbed Wood.

Anyway, I had never seen Wood play and he turned out to be a gangly yet athletic 6-foot-9, 230 pounder. Trouble was, he had tremendous difficulty learning my offense. For example, I had a box set with an X-call signifying that the play would be initiated on the left side, and a Y-call on the right side. Wood was thoroughly confused until he wrote a big black X on his left sneaker and a Y on his right sneaker.

He made the squad on the basis of his quickness, his hops, his long-distance shooting and his eagerness to learn. Still, Woody was often wild and out of control, so he mostly sat on the bench. In fact, he was so unpredictable that one of my NBA veterans told me that he didn't want to be on the floor at the same time as Woody.

Still, Woody worked hard and long. After virtually every practice session, he and I played one-on-one. He won every game, but the object was for me to do some hands-on teaching, and for him to accept it.

Even more important than his developing on-court skills, Woody was totally honest, sincere, friendly and enthusiastic. My wife and I had Woody and his future wife, Angie, over to dinner on several occasions.

David also demonstrated a heart-felt acceptance of Christianity, which he put to use during one game in Casper, Wyoming. That's when Elston Turner went down with a twisted ankle that appeared to be as serious an injury as I'd ever witnessed. Racing onto the court, I feared that ET's ankle was fractured and that his playing career was over. My fears were increased when it was obvious that the otherwise-stoic Turner was in excruciating pain.

However, hot on my heels was Woody, who proceeded to lay his hands on ET's ankle, softly recite a prayer and ask for a healing. Almost immediately, the relaxation evident in ET's face proved that the pain had suddenly eased.

Turned out that X-rays were negative and that Turner returned to action in about 10 days.

Even though I don't share Woody's spiritual beliefs, I was totally impressed.

Woody played in 42 games for the Lightning that season, averaging only 5.1 points per game. The next season, although he was still raw-boned and somewhat awkward, Woody was a starter and registered 9.4 ppg. The one-on-one mentoring continued.

Then, lo and behold, Woody was called up to the Chicago Bulls. In his first taste of the NBAs, Woody played a total of two minutes in two games. Otherwise, his stat sheet registered nothing but zeroes.

In 1989-90, Woody played overseas, and one year later he was a member in good standing of the Houston Rockets. In all, his NBA career lasted for seven seasons and included stints with Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, Golden State, Phoenix, Dallas and Milwaukee. He played in 412 games (plus eight in the playoffs), started 31, and finished shooting 44.9 percent (including 33.8 percent from downtown), and averaging 3.9 ppg.

Proving, among other things that good things happen to good people. And that, even amid all the craziness, miracles abounded in the CBA.