Rivers returns to coach Boston Celtics
Doc Rivers announced yesterday that he will be returning to coach the Boston Celtics for another season, staying with the team he won a championship in 2008 with.
Rivers hinted earlier in the year he would reconsider his position as Celtics head coach in the off-season and talk about his situation with his family. That conversation has now taken place.
"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,” Rivers said.
"A lot of soul-searching with the family, 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."
Rivers coached the Celtics to the NBA Finals this year where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games, and if not for Kendrick Perkins getting injured the Celtics coach could have had his second NBA title. The Celtics front office are excited to have their coach back.
"Doc is excited to come back and coach our team next year. He feels rejuvenated about coaching this group next season,” commented Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.
Rivers had said the failure to watch his children play sports was one of the major reasons for doubting his future in Boston but it was his kids who persuaded him to keep coaching.
"It's like my kids say, 'You come to more games than most parents doing your job,' " he said. "It's not going to be a big change. I'm still going to get to attend their games."
Rivers will now have to convince Paul Pierce, who opted out his contract, to remain in Boston, as well as persuade Ray Allen, who is a also free agent to return to the Celtics and have another go at winning a title.
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