"Dick respects Rick's offensive abilities because
when they were in Indiana Rick was basically in charge of the offense. So,
coming from Rick's position, he knows what is Dick's philosophy, which we
do a lot of here. But Dick knows a lot of what Rick is thinking. I
wouldn't go to the extent that 'X' thinks this, or 'Y' thinks that, so
this or that is going to happen. But I think it's an interesting
sidelight."
The duo's expertise were put on display during the Larry
Bird era in Indianapolis. It was with the Pacers that the NBA got to see
the defensive genius of Harter and the offensive innovation of Carlisle
during the team's run to the NBA Finals in the 1999-2000 season.
Now, three days after Carlisle's Pistons parlayed one
open shot after another against a Celtics team into the series first
statement, Harter and Boston are intent on stepping up to their biggest
challenge of the season.
"I don't think there's an edge either way,"
said Harter of his familiarity with this season's NBA Coach of the Year.
"I'm sure (Carlisle) did a good job, but I haven't talked to him. I
don't talk to opponents.
"It's not going to be about adjustments, it's going
to be about who is ready to play and we weren't ready to play on Sunday
for whatever reason."
The biggest defensive adjustment the Celtics can make is
to simply not allow Detroit so many wide-open shots. Thanks to their ball
movement, the Pistons were able to free up the likes Clifford Robinson (30
points) for a series of uncontested 3-pointers.
Judging by Harter's defensive philosophy, however, the
Celtics might not be presenting a dramatically different look in Game 2.
It's a method that Boston point guard Kenny Anderson, who had his best
season under the guidance of both Harter and Carlisle in Portland during
the 1996-97 season, has come to understand better than most.
"Dick simplifies everything. It's all about
guts," said Anderson, who is having his best defensive season of his
11-year NBA career.
"You have to understand it's about simplifying
everything for the whole year. It's not like, 'Oh, we're playing the
Lakers so we're going to do this or that.' That's crazy in the NBA. You
have to set a system and we have a system here defensively and we do it
every night out. There's no changes."
But at the same time, Anderson knows Carlisle is a
formidable foe for both Harter and the Celtics.
"Carlisle is my boy. That's the reason I had one of
my best years, because they were both there," said Boston's point
guard. "(Harter) knows what (Carlisle) does on offense. He knows it's
going to be very precise and perfect."
Now it's Harter and the Celtics' job to make Carlisle
and the Pistons look a little more imperfect.
Mr. Defence
(Harter) Set to Match up With Mr. Offense (Carlisle)
