ESPN

PHILADELPHIA -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers wouldn't take the bait when a Philadelphia TV station asked him to react to comments from Kevin Garnett that suggested 76ers had fair-weather fans.

"I have no reaction to that. I’ll let you guys stir that pot," said Rivers. "Have at it. Have fun with it. I don’t think either fan base likes each other any way, so I don’t think it added anything. Someone asked me that yesterday and I said, 'What are they going to do, hate us more?' So, what’s the difference?"

After talking up the TD Garden faithful following a Game 5 win in Boston on Monday, Garnett was asked to compare the fans in Boston and Philadelphia to which he remarked, "Not even close. You've got fans and then you've got fair-weather fans. Take it how you want it."

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers finished fifth in this season's Coach of the Year balloting.

Rivers earned 26 points with 1 first-place vote, 4 second-place votes, and 9 third-place votes. San Antonio's Gregg Popovich won the Red Auerbach Trophy with 467 points (77 first-place votes), while Chicago's Tom Thibodeau was second at 315 points (27 first-place votes). Indiana's Frank Vogel (161 points) and Memphis' Lionel Hollins (50 points) joined Rivers in rounding out the top 5.

Rivers won the Coach of the Year award during the 1999-2000 season with Orlando.

The Coach of the Year award is named after legendary Celtics coach and Hall of Famer Red Auerbach who guided Boston to nine NBA championships. Voting came from a panel of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Coaches were awarded 5 points for each first-place vote, 3 points for each second-place vote and 1 point for each third-place vote.

The fact that Rivers landed on only 14 ballots is somewhat surprising given all the adversity Boston faced over the course of the season. Alas, Boston's slow start and the amount of talent on the roster likely worked against him despite one of his most daunting coaching performances during the Big Three era.

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers lashed out at his team following Thursday's 93-86 loss to the Chicago Bulls, questioning his players’ toughness and focus after letting a double-digit lead slip away in the second half at the United Center.

"I had to use two timeouts in the first half to remind us that we actually had an NBA game to play and that we needed to play," a ruffled Rivers told reporters in Chicago. "I thought that was the worst loss for us this year, with the way we approached the game. Then in the second half, I just thought Chicago, they were too tough for us. Their toughness made us let go of the ropes. You could see it, we wanted to use all the excuses all night. I just thought Chicago was too tough for us tonight.

"I think this team has shown great resolve, but right now, that's twice now [the Celtics have struggled in Chicago]. They get into it, they get frustrated, and our guys let go of the ropes. Bottom line, we’re not going to go a lot of places playing with that type of mental toughness. Chicago’s tougher than us right now.”

Rivers said that with the playoffs near, the sort of play the Celtics showed Thursday will land them an unfavorable first-round matchup in the playoffs. Currently the Celtics hold the fourth seed with a one-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Division. But if they don’t win the division, they’ll likely slip the seventh or eighth seed and face the Bulls or Miami Heat in the first round.

“We’ve got three weeks, with the way we’re playing,” Rivers said. “If we play like that, we’ll be playing one of them in the first round, so we’ve got to get better.

"That was unacceptable. That’s on me first. I did something where I didn’t see something tonight. It’s always on the coach. That’s an unacceptable effort for us. I don’t say that very often. I don’t think I’ve ever said that. That was a crime. It was tough to talk after the game, because about what? We’ve got to be better than that. I don’t want to hear about us winning crap, not with that effort."

The Celtics led by as many as 13, and were up by 11 at halftime, but Rivers didn't like any part of the effort, particularly the way his team approached the game.

"Listen, I’m just pissed at the way we played," Rivers fumed. "Honestly, the playoffs are the furthest thing from my mind. We haven’t been that way, but we were tonight.

"We were cool tonight. We were the cool Boston Celtics, that’s who we looked like. Walking the ball up [and] we couldn’t get the ball inbounds. No one wanted to work. We were the cool Celtics and there's nothing about me that's cool, I can tell you that. We don't play basketball cool."

Doc Rivers for Coach of the Year? Grantland's Bill Simmons makes the case for Rivers as part of a brief tangent from his MVP race column on Tuesday:

If anyone cared about the "Coach of the Year" award, and if the award hadn't been ruined by the inexplicable fact that Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan and Gregg Popovich only won it a combined TWO times, then we'd be arguing the merits of Popovich (an absolutely masterful job this season), Doc Rivers (kept the aging Celtics from imploding pre-trade deadline), Stan Van Gundy (dealt the single crappiest hand of any playoff coach and somehow didn't let the pathetic Dwight Saga derail Orlando), Tom Thibodeau (kept the Bulls humming without Rose), Lionel Hollins (kept the Grizzlies humming without Z-Bo), Ty Corbin (um, how are the Jazz a playoff team???) and Vinny Del Negro (just kidding). That's a much more competitive/fascinating/loaded race than the league's MVP race, but again … nobody cares. Too bad.

In the footnotes, he adds this on Rivers:

For the record, I'd vote for Doc. He lost Jeff Green, Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Wilcox AND Mickael Pietrus. Danny [Ainge] tried to trade his point guard right before the season. Everyone on the team thought they were being shipped out before the deadline — and for the record, they DID explore trading the Big 3, with [Paul] Pierce coming the closest to leaving (to New Jersey for a cheaper version of what the Nets ended up paying in their incomprehensible Gerald Wallace trade). And the Celtics kept coming. I still believe Doc did an awful job from 2005 through 2007 and nobody will ever convince me otherwise. He was passable in 2008 — just passable. He was better in 2009, and 2010 was excellent. By 2012, he's clearly one of the best two or three coaches we have. He's been amazing this season. It's like anything else — the more you do something, the better you get at it. He's a really good basketball coach.

Hop HERE to read the full column.

BOSTON -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers left the door open for Boston selecting his son, Austin, in June's draft, but said the team will ultimately choose based on need not bloodlines.

"I’m going to say, ‘Danny you better draft him,’" Rivers half-joked when asked if he'd select his son if he was still available when Boston is on the clock. The Celtics will have two first-round picks in this year's draft, including one belonging to the Los Angeles Clippers (received by Boston as part of the Kendrick Perkins trade with Oklahoma City).

"And [Austin] could [still be on the board] , that could actually happen," said Rivers. "If it happens, it happens. We’re going to do what’s best for the team."

Then he quipped: "I’m just not going to answer my phone, because my wife will be calling."

(Read full post)

PHILADELPHIA -- Somewhere, Kendrick Perkins is proud of his old coach.

After picking up his eighth technical foul of the season Thursday night in Milwaukee, Doc Rivers not only topped the list of coaches' technicals, but owned a two-tech cushion on the rest of the field (heck, only seven other coaches have four or more technicals this season).

Rivers has already paid $20,000 for those infractions, but it hasn't detoured his approach.

"Last year I was on the bottom of the list, so I wanted to reach a goal this year and be on top of the list," quipped Rivers. "I don’t know. I’ve gotten some that I’ve earned ..."

His voice trailed off slightly, allowing another question to arrive (and maybe save him from donating even more money to the league office). Asked if he felt like he was more vociferous in his complaints this season, Rivers swore he hasn't modified his technique.

"I just think they are quicker this year," said Rivers. "I don’t think I’ve changed at all. I just think the way they’ve been called has changed, for sure. They are quick with them. I mean, the one [Thursday] night [in Milwaukee after a non-call on Brandon Bass] ... I said, ‘I thought he got fouled.’ That was about it."

With only 19 games left in the regular season, Rivers likely doesn't have to worry about the 13-tech limit before suspensions start. But, kidding or not, he might just get his wish to top the coaches' technical foul leaderboard this season.

In case you were wondering, Perkins led all players with 11 technicals through Thursday's games. Rajon Rondo tops Boston players this season with seven technicals (Paul Pierce has 4, while Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal have 3).

PHILADELPHIA -- Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said his son, Austin Rivers, has not made a definitive decision on whether to turn pro and suggested the Duke freshman is still pondering his next step despite reports that suggest he plans to declare for this year's NBA Draft.

"Not yet," Rivers said of Austin's decision. "He really hasn’t. I heard the reports, but he hasn’t decided anything yet.

"Listen, he’s gotta make a decision [by the NCAA deadline of April 10] and he leans one way one day, and then the other. That’s part of it. [Kentucky freshman Michael Kidd-]Gilchrist had it today, too, I guess. It’s just part of it."

Rivers said he's leaving the decision in the hands of his son.

"At the end of the day, all you can do with all of your kids, or any kid in this situation, is give them as much input as you can, then you try to let them make the decision," said Rivers. "They have to make it; you can’t make it for them."

When the subject shifted to whether he'd be interested in coaching his son on the Celtics, Rivers had as much fun as he can without getting in trouble.

"That would be interesting. That would be very interesting," Rivers said with a smile before quipping, "I don’t think I’m legally allowed to say it until he makes a decision, otherwise I could get fined -- for talking about my son."

* For ESPN.com's story on Austin Rivers' decision to turn pro, hop HERE.

CHICAGO -- With Tom Thibodeau tasked with coaching the Eastern Conference All-Stars later this month -- a role Boston coach Doc Rivers often begrudgingly endured by virtue of the Celtics' early season success during the Big Three era -- his old boss couldn't help but have a little fun at his expense as Rivers prepares to pass the All-Star coaching baton.

"I think he’s going to run the hell out of them. I think he’s going to have a good speech for them, they’re going to have a hard practice," Rivers joked, playing to the perception of Thibodeau as a no-nonsense helmsman. "No, Thibs will be great. A lot of people keep thinking things about Thibs, and he keeps doing the right thing. Thibs is a terrific coach, a great coach.

"He’ll have fun. I told him, 'I’ll be in town and don’t call me.' But he’ll be great. Thibs has been through this... In the New Orleans game [in 2008], if my memory serves me right, [Rivers’ assistants] Thibs, Kevin Eastman, and Armond [Hill], they were killing me over winning. Because [the payout] is double for the winning coaching staff. And Thibs, in the fourth quarter, he kept saying, ‘Hey, we want to win this game! Don’t you forget it.’ He kept saying that in my ear. I wonder if he’ll do the same now that he’s the head coach. I think he will, if I know my Thibs."

Rivers, who often limited the playing time for his veteran players while coaching the All-Star game, joked that Thibodeau should go in the opposite direction with Chicago's representatives.

"If I was Thibs, I would play [Luol] Deng and [Derrick] Rose at least 47 minutes," said Rivers. "I think that would be terrific."

BOSTON -- While Thursday's loss to the rival Los Angeles Lakers was hardly an enjoyable experience for Celtics coach Doc Rivers, he was absolutely glowing before the game after watching his son, Austin, hit a winning 3-pointer to lift Duke past the University of North Carolina Wednesday night in Chapel Hill.

In fact, it's already among some of Rivers' favorite sports memories.

"As a fan, it’s at the top," he said. "Usually I’m in fray. Just as a fan? It’s the best. Again, it’s a different emotion. It’s just a lot of fun...

"As a parent, it’s just fun. You see your kid play and do well, that’s always a ball. And you don’t have to worry about calling the timeout or anything else. You can just be emotional and have fun."

Rivers who typically does a solid job of keeping his emotions in check, whether he's on the sideline coaching the Celtics or in the stands watching his kids play, couldn't help but get swept up in the moment, grabbing his daughter, Callie, and celebrating after Austin's big moment at the buzzer.

"Listen, I was just nervous; I’m a parent," said Rivers. "I was just thinking, ‘I don’t care what you do, just do it well.’ And I was pretty sure after about the five-second mark, he was shooting the 3. I didn’t know if it was going to go in or not, but it was pretty clear what he was going to do."

Despite the NBA's game-heavy season, Rivers has done his best to escape on offdays to catch Austin's games (much like he's done in the past for Callie's volleyballl matches or the hoops action of his other sons, Jeremiah and Spencer). Is getting away from it all therapeutic for Rivers?

"I don’t know if it’s therapy, because you’re insane at the games," Rivers said with a laugh. "But it has been good therapy for me over the years -- since I’ve been here, I’ve been doing it. I get to see all the kids. There’s good moments like you guys got to see [Wednesday] night. But there’s bad moments at times, too, when kids struggle. There’s highs and lows like a normal parent. [Wednesday] was a good one and that’s a good thing."

In some small way, it might even help ease the pain when the Celtics lose their own rivalry game. Heck, even Kobe Bryant liked what he saw out of Austin Rivers.

"I told [Doc] his son got some big cojones," said Bryant. "He should be very proud."

Duke-North Carolina one night; Celtics-Lakers the next. Yes, it's rivalry week for Celtics coach Doc Rivers. But he started it on the right foot while watching son, Austin, hit the winning 3-pointer to lift the Blue Devils on Wednesday night in Chapel Hill:


Rivers has noted he tries to hide his emotions on the sideline because he knows the cameras will be cutting to him whenever his son makes a noteworthy play -- good or bad. But Rivers is probably just fine with the candid display of emotion.

Here's a look at the shot and Rivers talking about the experience:

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Off to a 4-5 start and without a win against a quality opponent, are the Celtics still an elite team? He's clearly biased, but coach Doc Rivers believes so, even if he admits his team needs to prove it.

"Well, we’ll have to find that out. I think we are," he said after Thursday's practice at the Celtics Training Center at HealthPoint. "But, obviously, we’re 4-5 right now. Our record says we’re not [an elite team]; We say we are. I’m just going to warn you, it’s nine games. Don’t jump off the bridge yet. I can feel you jumping off.

"What I’m saying is, it’s early guys. Coaches always worry about their teams, that’s my job -- concern [and] worry. That’s what it should be. If we were 10-0, I’d be concerned that we’re getting overconfident. We’re 4-5 and really haven’t beaten anyone yet. So we have to do that, eventually, if we want to be an elite team."

Rivers still sees plenty of positives in his team, even after allowing the Mavericks to escape with a victory Wednesday night at TD Garden.

"We’re getting closer," said Rivers. "Actually, I was more encouraged than discouraged. Now, the rebounding problem we have to fix, but a lot of the other things -- defensively, we’re really good until we gamble. We lost 12 big points on gambles, and nine were down the stretch, which you can’t do. Which is what I meant about discipline. But, overall, I like some of the things we’re doing. We have to get better offensively and we have to start games better."

Rivers thinks his team is pressing a bit and getting a little discouraged when things don't start off on the right foot. But he wants them to feel a little pressure from a less-than-dominating start.

"I’m sure they are [pressing], a little bit," he said. "They should be; It’s good to. When you’re not winning and you’re not playing as well as you’d like to play -- we know how well we can be. We’re just not being that. I think our guys know that. That’s not a bad thing. I'd rather go through it now, I’ll just put it that way."

BOSTON -- Even in defeat, Celtics coach Doc Rivers maintains his sense of humor.

While breaking down Boston's 87-74 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday, Rivers noted how the Celtics, riding a four-game winning streak and having put together a phenomenal offday effort, seemed ready for Friday's challenge against a quality opponent.

Then the Celtics matched a franchise record by scoring a mere 25 points in the first half and couldn't rally their way back after the intermission.

"You know, it’s amazing, too, as a coach -- [Thursday] we had a phenomenal practice. Not a good one, [but] off the charts," explained Rivers. "And then [Friday morning], as a coaching staff we were talking about the shootaround -- it was the most focused we had been. Then this happens. So, [Allen] Iverson would love this conversation."

We talking about practice?

Actually, the Celtics are. With four days off before their next game, Boston has a chance to correct some of its main issues. The starters are scheduled to take two days off before reconvening on Monday, while reserves will sneak back on Sunday to get some additional court time together.

Rivers wants his team playing better immediately.

"Listen, we’re a 4-4 basketball team. That’s what we are," said Rivers. "You are what your record is; Don’t make no mistake about that. I mean, one of the guys said, ‘Hey, that’s alright, we’re better than that.’ And I said, ‘No we’re not. You’re what your record says you are. And you always have the ability to do something about that.' But right now, Indiana’s a 5-2 team and we’re a 4-4 team. And make no mistake: That’s who we are. That’s not who we want to be, and that’s not who we’re going to be, hopefully, but right now that’s who we are.”

Rivers did admit he's not overly concerned by the fact that the Celtics have feasted on the weak sisters of the league, while dropping a trio of games against potential Eastern Conference playoff foes (Miami, New York, and Indiana).

"Well, we’re 0-for against quality opponents," said Rivers. "But again, it’s eight games into the year, so I’m not going to overdo that."

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers is aware of the grumbles about his lack of utilizing younger players in recent seasons. He wonders where those complaints were during his early -- and far less successful -- years in Boston.

"People forget that I had three years where I only played young guys," said Rivers. "It’s probably tougher for the young guys to get into my rotation [now] because the guys in front of them are better. Really. With Ray Allen -- should we not play him? Or should we not play Paul [Pierce] or Kevin [Garnett]? So it’s more of that than anything. It’s whoever is earning it is going to play."

Younger players have struggled to get consistent minutes outside of trash-time situations during the Big Three era. Whether it's Bill Walker and J.R Giddens, or JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, some have wondered if recent picks are getting a fair chance to develop with such limited game reps.

Rivers suggested the solution is simple: Younger players need to separate themselves -- somehow, some way -- and prove they deserve to be on the floor ahead of a veteran.

A condensed schedule this season could potentially open doors for younger players, but Rivers continues to stress that he'll play anyone -- regardless of age -- so long as they prove capable of handling the workload. Second-year guard Avery Bradley took advantage of Ray Allen's absence Wednesday night and is starting to make a case for more time with his inspired defensive play.

"We went into this year wanting [a] 10[-man rotation]," said Rivers. "Whether the lockout or not, one of the things after [last] year I told [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] was, 'We gotta build a 10-man rotation.' And we’re going to do that. That was important."

NEW YORK -- You never blame the referees after a close loss -- except when it’s perhaps legitimate to blame the referees after a close loss. That’s why Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers chose his words ever so carefully after Sunday’s 106-104 loss to the New York Knicks.

Sure, he makes a lot of money. But he doesn’t like to pay big fines any more than anyone else.

The problem was two fourth-quarter technical foul calls on the Celtics. That violates a serious no-no under Rivers. Technicals aren’t the issue. Technicals in the fourth quarter are the issue. And the notoriously short-fused Joey Crawford, a veteran official who brooks no dissent, verbal or even visual, whistled Jermaine O’Neal and Sasha Pavlovic for technicals less than two minutes apart in the fourth.

“Fourth-quarter technicals on our team are not allowed,’’ Rivers said. “That being said, the game has to be about the players. All right? I mean, c’mon. I thought both teams were complaining just the same, and we got the two techs. The game has to be about the players on the floor. That’s it.”

Pavlovic said he had no idea why he got teed up.

“I was just playing my game,’’ he said. “I told him [Crawford] I can’t afford to get a technical in the fourth quarter.”

Crawford, Zach Zarba and someone named Marat Kogut presided over a game that went 2 hours, 47 minutes (long even for a national TV game) and had 53 fouls and 65 free throws. There were six technicals in all -- Ray Allen and Toney Douglas were given double technicals, prompting the first "Boston [You Know What]" chant in the building. There also was a minor skirmish at the end of the game when Kevin Garnett and former Celtic Bill Walker briefly tangled.

Chandler big down low
The Knicks have talked defense, defense, defense since the acquisition of Tyson Chandler, but the Celtics still shot 51.3 percent, scored 104 points and outrebounded the hosts by a big margin, 41-31. Chandler had only three rebounds in 37 minutes. But he was an undeniable force underneath with six blocked shots. ... There were Christmas colors everywhere. Three Celtics wore red headbands to go with their green uniforms. Ray Allen wore red sneakers. Carmelo Anthony wore green sneakers with red laces and Knicks rookie Josh Harrellson wore some hideous looking red and green sneakers. ... Lockout leftover: On two occasions, the Celtics could not execute an inbounds play from the baseline under the Knicks’ basket. The first resulted in a backcourt violation. The second resulted in a turnover and a foul on Garnett. ... Jeff Green was in the Celtics' locker room before and after the game. ... Amare Stoudemire made two 3-pointers for the third time in his career. He made only 10 all last season. The Knicks attempted 20 treys to the Celtics’ five.

Signs of life from JO
O’Neal played 17 minutes. He had 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. “He had a great third quarter,’’ Rivers said. “I thought he was a little slow, late on a lot of stuff. But in the third quarter, he played terrific. He defends the basket.” O’Neal also took a charge in the third quarter when the Celtics were in the process of taking the lead. ... Rookie E’Twaun Moore made his NBA debut at the close of the first half, playing the final four seconds. He didn’t touch the ball, but he can tell his children and grandchildren that he came into the game and replaced a Hall of Famer (Garnett). Fellow rookies JaJuan Johnson and Greg Steimsma did not play. ... Two Knicks were injured in the game. Jared Jeffries reinjured his sore right calf. And rookie Iman Shumpert, who had played well, sprained his right knee MCL. He could be out 2-4 weeks. The Celtics appeared to emerge unscathed. The big question for them is how soon Paul Pierce can get back on the floor. As for Mickael Pietrus, he will also help assuming he can pass his physical in Boston, which is scheduled for Monday. Pietrus was traded to Toronto earlier this month, but swelling in his right knee alarmed the Raptors’ doctors and the deal was called off. Pietrus had surgery this past summer and missed the last 12 games of the 2010-11 season due to the right knee condition. When the trade fell through, the Suns eventually waived him -- and the Celtics signed him on Christmas Eve. For more on Pietrus, click here.

Editor’s note: From Dec. 12-23, we’ll countdown to the Celtics’ Christmas matchup with the Knicks (Dec. 25 at 12 p.m. ET) by hitting on 12 big topics facing the Green this season.

BOSTON -- During his introduction as a member of the Celtics last summer, future Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal was asked what convinced him to sign in Boston for the veteran’s minimum. Was it the 17 banners hanging above him and the franchise’s rich tradition? Or the four current All-Stars and the team’s title potential moving forward?

Shaq pondered the question a moment before noting, “His name is Doc Rivers."

With Phil Jackson riding off into the NBA sunset last season, you can make the case that 50-year-old Rivers is now the preeminent coach in the league. After guiding the Celtics back to respectability, highlighted by the franchise’s first world title in 22 years, Rivers has ascended to the throne of elite bench boss based on sustained success in recent seasons.

The Celtics proved that by inking him to a five-year, $35 million contract in May. A downright giddy Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, noted at the time, “The most important thing is that we have a really good coach for years to come. That’s exciting."

Few could have envisioned this back during the 2006-07 campaign when fans chanted "Fi-re Doc! Fi-re Doc!" as Boston won a mere 24 contests that season, limping through a franchise-worst 18-game losing streak at one point.

Ainge never lost faith in Rivers and he was rewarded that following season, aided in large party by a roster overhaul that united the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen.

Sure, winning goes a long way towards improving public perception of a coach. Bill Belichick was no gridiron genius in Cleveland. But it’s impossible to understate just how much Rivers’ players think of him.

Asked after the Celtics’ season ended in Miami last season what it would be like to move forward without Rivers, point guard Rajon Rondo glumly noted, “I don't even want to imagine.”

Fortunately for Rondo and Co., they won’t have to image a Rivers-less bench. Despite lingering speculation each of the past two seasons that he would walk away to spend more time with his family, Rivers raised eyebrows when he agreed to the five-year extension just days after Boston’s playoff exit in May.

Entrenched, Rivers now commands even more respect from his players as a long-term fixture at the end of the bench. Not that that was a problem before. Garnett has often noted he’d run through a wall if Rivers asked him to, which shows you the type of pull he has with his veterans.

(Read full post)