With the regular season coming to a close, you might think it would be a bad time for rumors to be swirling about our coach's future. If you're the Chicago Bulls, this means your coach and team VP throwing down. If you're the Boston Celtics, it means potentially blowing up a sinking ship. And it starts with the ship's captain, Doc Rivers.
As someone who has followed the Celtics since the days of Rick Pitino, I'll admit, Doc Rivers at times has been a very competent coach, in fact, a championship coach. Maybe his finest coaching job with the Celtics was during the 2008 NBA Finals where he went toe-to-toe with the greatest coach of this generation, Phil Jackson. But, it's all of those other nights, especially this season, which bear out that a change might be necessary. Let's count the ways why Doc Rivers leaving the Celtics might be best for all parties.
1. Danny Ainge
-Pre Big 3, Danny Ainge was in the team picture for worst GMs in all of sports, let alone the NBA. Let's remember some of the guys Ainge brought to Boston before Ray Allen and KG: Marcus Banks, Ricky Davis, Gerald Green, Michael Olowakandi, Jiri Welch, and Raef LaFrentz, just to name a few. However, he struck gold with KG and Ray Allen, and also had the right veteran coach in place in Doc Rivers. Now, the Celtics are clearly about to enter a transition phase into hopefully a younger, more athletic squad. Ainge can now set out to find a coach who can better match the young talent in place..more on that later...while finding the pieces to supplement whatever the Big 3 has left in the tank.
2. The Big 3
-Ok, I think we can all agree that Father Time has pretty much slammed the door shut on the championship window of the Boston Three Party. While Garnett, Allen, and Pierce got the title they all so thoroughly deserved, injuries and age have taken their toll. Granted, Ray Allen is probably in the best shape of his career, but he doesn't have the chops to carry a team through 82 games and the playoffs. Garnett is still not fully recovered from knee surgery and may never be the same dominant force ever again. Finally, all the years of carrying the Celtics franchise on his back seems like its caught up with Paul Pierce, who looks as if he's lost a step in his game. Perhaps a new voice could galvanize one last title run with whatever's left of these 3 next year. After watching this year, its clear the Celtics have tuned out Doc for the most part, as evidenced by several 4th quarter collapses and stunning losses at home to the likes of Memphis and New Jersey.
3. Doc Rivers
-Doc has served his purpose, he's won an NBA Championship with the vaunted Big 3 of Allen, Pierce, and KG. But, Doc isn't exactly a Hall of Fame caliber coach who can build the next wave of talent in Boston into a contender. Just look at his track record in Orlando. Does anybody remember the fact that Doc never won a playoff series before he got to Boston? And outside of that championship run, Doc has won a total of one, count em, one playoff series. It's a classic example of Doc the man/broadcaster elevating Doc the coach. Add to that that Rivers admittedly wants to spend more time with his family and kids, who could blame him? But, let's not pretend this is Red Auerbach stepping down or anything. The Celtics might be best fit moving on in a new direction with a younger coach, mostly to benefit...
4. Rajon Rondo
-Doc Rivers and Rondo have always butted heads, Rivers as the former point guard and mentor, and Rondo as the young buck looking to establish himself on a veteran team with a veteran coach. But, in the long run, Rondo needs a coach who will let Rondo grow to his full potential. Sure, Rondo has grown exponentially since he first entered the league, but there's always been a sense that Doc has kept Rondo under wraps in his system, and in an attempt to appease the Big 3. But, in a very short time, Rondo will be the best player the Celtics have, if not already. So, why not put a coach in place who will support Rondo fully with an up-tempo style that would accentuate his strengths?
5. Everyone Else
-The biggest criticism of Doc is his rotation...or complete lack thereof. When the Celtics won their title, Rivers had the fortune of a team full of veterans who already knew their role. Basically, Doc only needed to come up with the unity theme of Ubuntu, keep the egos in check, make a few crucial decisions in the playoffs, and keep things on AutoPilot. As we've seen this season, adversity and youth aren't Doc's friend. Players like Glen Davis, Marquis Daniels, Nate Robinson, Michael Finley, Tony Allen, ball boys, team doctors, anybody associated with the Celtics literally has no clue what their role will be on a game-to-game basis. Just sit back and watch in the playoffs, I wouldn't lie to you. At some point in the 1st round, Doc will look around and call out Eddie House's name, except he was traded this season. Of course, when you have guys like 'Sheed contributing like this...it would make life difficult on any coach.
So, in the end, it's best for all parties for Doc Rivers and the Celtics to part ways. Doc did bring banner number 17 to the Garden, that can't be denied. Doc also isn't going to be on the Mt. Rushmore of NBA coaches any time soon, unless it becomes a participation award. If the Celtics, specifically Danny Ainge, are serious about the long-term health of the Celtics, Doc Rivers and at least one of the Big 3 will be gone. What's left will be a more energetic, athletic squad built around Rondo, another younger scorer, and whatever experience is left with a new emphasis on an up-tempo game which will play to the remaining players' strength. No hard feelings though Doc, you did good enough. And maybe you'll win another title in the future, if three Hall of Famers get dumped in your lap. Although, I guess something like that has worked pretty well for that Jackson guy...
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