It has just flown in that Doc Rivers announced that he will be coming back to coach the Boston Celtics for the 2010-2011 season. The news is flying around from several sources, including Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Washburn reported that Doc Rivers text messaged: "I'm coming back. I want another crack at it with this group."
Rivers has coached the Boston Celtics (2004-2010) to five of six post seasons, one NBA Championship and won the Eastern Conference Finals this past season. With Doc Coming back, where does that leave the rest of the pieces to the puzzle. Doc also stated in an interview that I recall on CSN or NESN, one of the local networks, where he said, "The only reason you come back is for the players".
The Remaining Questions
So now fans will begin to ask, do Paul Pierce and Ray Allen both come back? We already know it's been reported that Pierce is going to opt out of the final year of his contract. Not in an attempt to enter the free agent market, but more of a team player mentality kind of move where he will sign a new contract with the Celtics for less money, thus opening up more cap space for the team to re-sign Ray Allen. Great moves!
With Rasheed Wallace announcing his retirement during the draft and Kendrick Perkins needed surgery on his entirely destroyed knee, we have Glen Davis and Luke Harangody (questionable rookie) to fill the 5 spot on the court. I think that's the biggest question that the C's need answered at this point. Pierce and Allen will be back, but who is going to be the big man replacing/helping out Perkins for the 2010-11 season?
Thanks to firebrandal for the photo of Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics.
Amare Stoudamire?
Thank you Doc, only time in my Celtic life at the age of thirty that losing the coach would be losing previous seasons MVP! Pierce and Allen sign for less, Garnett restructure, plus sheeds money , go get the help we need Danny boy… Message to L.A. It’s on!!
You have all the right thoughts Brandon. My only concern is the issue with Rasheed Wallace’s contract. Unless he files paperwork with the NBA or something, we may have to still pay him something? I don’t really quite understand how it works, because I was also under the assumption that once you retire your contract is null and void unless you attempt to come back to the league ( a la Brett Favre with the Jets).