Doc Rivers, Champion

by Jeff Clark on Oct 2, 2008 9:32 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Kind of a slow story day, so here's a nice, fluffy article on Doc Rivers by Adrian Wojnarowski:

"I’m not a big coach-caller," Rivers said. "Do you know what I’m saying there? Never have been."
The coach of the world champion Boston Celtics had to smile when he said, "So yeah, this summer was abnormal for me. I called a load of coaches."
There have always been coaching sages in Rivers’ life, voices he could trust. He played for Pat Riley, who always sells people on the genius of his work. He played for Gregg Popovich, who always sells the genius of his players. Rivers has always been far more Pop than Riles, always taking his job far more seriously than himself.

Just hearing his name along side those other names is incredible considering the general perception of him just 15 months ago. I can't help but feel happy for him. By all accounts he is widely respected as a genuinely nice guy (for further evidence, see here). To take all that heat over a span of a couple years and to come out a Champion is truly a great story. But you won't be reading it anytime soon.

Rivers turned down the chance to write his memoir and passed on several endorsement possibilities this summer. He was just happier traveling to AAU basketball tournaments to watch his son, Austin, play ball.

Oh well, I guess we'll just have to re-watch the DVDs or go watch this movie later this month.

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“So when Rivers walked into the gymnasium at Salve Regina University for the first practice of the season on Tuesday morning, surprise, surprise: Four players had beaten everyone else to work, and three of them were named Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.”

who wants to lay money the otehr one is named rondo?

by crownsy on Oct 2, 2008 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

This article from today’s Boston Globe tells you what Doc is really all about: [/url]http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/10/02/rivers_has_extended_family/[url].

by TrueGreen on Oct 2, 2008 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

thanks for the reminder – I added that link just now

by Jeff Clark on Oct 2, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

I think Doc deserves big TPs for that. It’s a huge committment to take on responsibility of another human being.

by green tea on Oct 2, 2008 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

but wait, I have been led to believe he coaches no better than a caveman?? Maybe seeing that displayed so prominently in the forums 20 times a day has me confused…

by D Dub on Oct 2, 2008 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

I always pull for the nice guys and Doc is obviously one of the nicest. Since everyone on line here could coach the current Celtics perfectly…..“I will start Rondo, KG, PP, RA and KP”……we have to rate Doc on his nicety rather then coaching ability.

All tongue in cheek aside, He IS a great coach BECAUSE he has the players respect and they are on his side. Every week, we read about a coach in one major sport or another who has ‘lost his team’. I can’t imagine any larger Egos then those on NBA players. (Exception: Terell Owens).

by Dipper on Oct 2, 2008 4:04 PM EDT reply actions