I didn't know that I could like Doc Rivers more than I already do, but his response to the technical foul crisis plaguing the Celtics this season proves that I can. From the Globe:

The Celtics were assessed five technical fouls by referee Bob Delaney's crew against Orlando, bringing their season total to 39. "I am concerned because we are at 39 and the next team is at 25," Rivers said. "I don't know what it is but somehow we've got to do a better job." Rivers said the Celtics' spirited play and support from the reserves has gained the attention of officials.

"Part of our makeup is our energy, and we're not going to stop being that," said Rivers. "We're an emotional team, that's part of our makeup. We can't get it to the point where we're getting techs, but you can't legislate guys having energy and having fun with each other. We're having refs, before games, now tell our guys to sit down, or stop standing up. And I'm thinking, that's a good image. When you are looking at a game and you see a team cheering and standing up, and then you look at another bench and they are all sitting down, which image would you want? So, I don't get that whole thing. So, I'm not going to legislate that."

The Celtics reserves have been standing until the team converts its first field goal.

"It's a big thing every night," Rivers said. "And it's not an act - that's who they are. We have lively guys on the bench. They are cheering for their teammates and not yelling things at the other team - they may be, but not a lot."

The Celtics have cleary been the victim of the quick whistle. One has to look no further than Rondo's tech in the Orlando game:

"Rajon didn't deserve it for what he said," said Rivers. "But we have to have a better feeling about the game. I saw Bob Delaney say, 'Get away from him [another official].' And Rajon walks up and says, 'Can I ask you one question?' That's all he said, and he gets a technical. But if they are saying get away from him, then get away."

I'm assuming that this whole situation is a result of the fallout from the Knicks game, where a few Knicks complained openly about the "talking" that was going on. Regardless, having 39 technicals, and being 14 ahead of anyone else, after 19 games, seems quite a bit absurd. However, Doc is going to let the team keep doing it's thing. And that is exactly the right thing to do. As he stated, this is an energy team, and an emotional team. It is a big part their make up. For the refs to tell the team to "sit down" is an absolute joke. As Doc said, which image would you rather have? Instead of the refs worrying about a team standing up until their team's first basket is made, maybe they should concentrate more on calling the game. And if you're going to T-up Rondo for that, then I better damn well start seeing the NBA's golden-child, LeBron, getting the techs, too. Because there isn't one player in the league who whines more than him (I wonder what it feels like to never commit a foul). But he somehow gets a free pass.

I think the bottom-line is that the Celtics are the champs, and have the proverbial target on their backs, from not only opposing teams, but also the league itself. It's something that I'm sure the Celts will curtail as the season goes on. But it is frustrating to watch nonetheless.