Rumors continue to swirl regarding a trade for Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and player Kevin Garnett to the Los Angeles Clippers for at least two players. My initial problem is not with the trade itself. Trades happen all the time in the NBA and other sports. My problem lies with Doc Rivers and he is most likely part of the reason this trade is being orchestrated.
Doc Rivers has three years remaining on his contract and has thus far been mum this off season on his coaching plans for the future. He has still been participating in the team's off season practices and trade evaluations. And yet this man has still not officially stated he is coming back or resigning. Now, it would seem that at this point he would move forward with coaching the team, seeing how it has been over a month since the Celtics packed their bags for vacation.
Suddenly, the Clippers head coaching position opens up and it seems that Doc Rivers is interested in heading there. Now, he has not come out and said anything to that effect, but it is widely known that Doc Rivers does not want to be part of a rebuilding project in Boston. So, he sees this opportunity to go to the Clippers and for all we know, he is secretly pushing Danny Ainge (Boston's General Manager) to make this trade. All because the Clippers would have a better team and a better shot at winning a title within the next few years.
Herein lies my problem. To begin with, I have no problem with coaches, players, etc. to chase that elusive title. That's the penultimate achievement for any pro athlete or coach. The problem is how they go about it. Take this situation, for example. Doc Rivers signed a new contract just last year. He had to know that a rebuilding phase was coming soon, especially with the likes of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen (who later went to the Heat, but that's a different story for another time) approaching their twilight years. Why sign the contract if you don't want to go through that? Yes, the Celtics could have done more, but at that point, money was tied up and a rebuilding phase was inevitable. Doc Rivers could have easily taken the year off and waited for his ideal coaching position. In that regard, that is leaving a team fairly, though I still have trouble backing it up.
Shouldn't a true player or coach want to try to lead a team with lesser or younger talent to glory? Phil Jackson might be a great coach for all I know, but when your teams have always contained the best players in the world, how can we really tell? Want to impress me, come out of retirement to coach the Bobcats. Turn them into winners and I'll say, "Way to go Phil Jackson. You are truly a good coach." That's why I've always respected part of Larry Brown. That's right, part of him. He has always had the ability to lead teams, sometimes teams with lesser talent, to the promised lands of winning records and playoff appearances. The part of Larry Brown I don't completely respect is the part that always moved from place to place. If he could have lasted a year or two longer at some jobs, he might have won more championships. The man always accepted a challenge and that I can respect.
So, Doc Rivers, if you want to impress me, you should stay with Boston. Maybe I'm wrong and you do want to stay there, but you should at least come out and say that, then. Don't remain silent and leading millions of Celtics fans on. Say you'll come back and lead Boston for the remainder of your contract. Help to usher in a new era of Celtic Pride and prove that you can still leader a winner despite lack of talent. You've done it before, right here in Boston. Then, after three years, you can take your talent to Cleveland, where you can lead Lebron James and Kevin Durant to the titles they've always wanted. Until then, show Boston your love. I'm quite sure they'll show you theirs.
Jason
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