NBA news - Doc Rivers plans on returning to Boston Celtics!
The aspiring coach who led Celtics to two championships, winning one in 2008 against the Los Angeles Lakers, decided to think about retiring after their defeat to Lakers this year.
After the last season Danny Ainge told Rivers that he should take his time, on what he wants to do. Although Rivers returned to the 2010 drafts, he left back to Florida shortly to discuss things with his family.
He left the team in turmoil after he decided to re-think of his position as a coach for the Boston Celtics, Rivers was in a dilemma whether to return to the team or not. While Celtics were well on their way this year on winning the Championship against their rivals L.A. Lakers, the Lakers surprised the Celtics by sweeping the Championship from right underneath their feet in the last round. Leaving the Celtics extremely distressed and then another shock came to the team after finding out that their beloved coach was planning on retiring; that really pulled the curtains down on them. But the predicament was resolved when the people he cared about most got him re-thinking.
“My kids all said, 'You're a coach. That's what you are. And you're a parent, and we appreciate both.' And so that made it easier. Talking to my wife, she was really the one who said, 'You've got to.' I just think she wanted me out of the house more than anything.
The Co-owner of Boston Celtics, Steve Pagliuca said he was thrilled on Docs decision to return, he said that Rivers is a fantastic coach and leader.
While the General Manager, Danny Ainge, of the Celtics said Rivers is certainly keen on returning, and plans on taking the team to make a run at winning another championship.
“Doc’s excited to get back at it, and that’s great to see,” Ainge said.
Doc said after a lot of soul searching with his family he made the decision and was adamant on returning next season. His son Austin Rivers plays for International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the American Team as a highly regarded guard, and his daughter Callie Rivers plays volleyball at college. The need not to miss their games was the reason he was double minded whether he should quit or not. His inability to watch his growing children play their respective sports was eating him from within; he is hoping this year he will be able to get some sort of compromise which will permit him to give attention to his professional and personal life.
Although the unprecedented coach might have marked his return for the Celtics it certainly does not mean he would take them to the Championship in 2011, due to the fact that two of Boston Celtics key players are now free agents, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. To top it all, Kendrick Perkins their main centre, will probably be bed ridden for another six months with a torn knee ligament.
Rivers said even though he was quite confident about his return but he was not overconfident about Allen and Pierce’s return. Devoid of these two players, Celtics certainly needs to get hold of some hot shots to grab their position, unless they plan on returning.
Celtics need to worry though, because Kevin Garnett is still under a two year contract and their star point guard Rajon Rondo has already signed a 5 year extension with the team; remaining a patriot to the team. Kendrick might be in bed but his contract still has a year to expire.
Doc Rivers has inspired the team ever since he joined it. He is adored as a coach by his team and the fact his team celebrated colossally on his return while free agents wanting to join the Celtics is enough proof of his grand being.
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