Yes the no-rebuild theme is similar to Adelman. Though Adelman's intentions WERE CLEAR and HONEST. Also Adelman was NOT IN CONTRACT, he technically completed his coaching term. Rivers on the other hand has YEARS LEFT on his contract years of service due to the Celtics, and is being shady and changing the story. Its not the situation, its the "not being clean" about it. (Though its not like teams are LOYAL to coaches. They're the first to get blamed and let go. THATS why I don't fault Rivers too much. He coulda easily been let go any of the next couple seasons for a cheaper tanking option)
So why did you say Doc gave up $35mil when he didn't? If the guy didn't have commitment from the Clippers on getting paid the same salary he did in Boston, you better believe he'd be much more on board with the rebuilding process.
"Awesome" has no idea what he's talking about. No point in trying to back him into a corner. Doc Rivers is a terrific motivator but I don't think he's all that in terms of the x's and o's. His championship in 2008 (?) was largely due to that suffocating defense anchored by Garnett. We all know who's responsible for that (THIBS!).
Simmons is right though, and yes he is coming from a die hard celtics perspective. Bill lives and breathes basketball, he tells you the way it really is and last night you could tell he was upset. He really wanted Pierce and KG to retire in Boston. Unfortunately in today's game, ainge is doing what needs to be done, sell at 35 cents on the dollar.... Has to tank to be in the Wiggins lotto next year... Rivers wanted out but didn't want to come across like ray Allen did, and he looks far worse.
Rivers is free to do whatever he wants to do. However it says something about a man who can only stick around when things are good. He won a title there, he was being paid SEVEN million dollars a yr, and when it appeared that things were going to get rocky he wants to bail? If I was a Celtic fan my attitude toward Rivers would be don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I don't take sides, although I don't believe that Rivers owed the public any info or "truth." And I don't even like Rivers and don't think he's a good coach by any means despite the ring. However Rivers came out as the douche here. "I would like to call him an idiot but I'm too classy for that..." really breh? What about that statement says you're classy?
Simmons is of course right. Just own it Doc. You didn't want to go through rebuilding. That's fine, but don't make it seem like you wanted to stay through that process and only left because it was all out of your hands.
Yeah Doc calling him an idiot was uncalled for. I enjoyed Simmons last night, he brings something different.
Bill Simmons is an idiot. All he can do is speculate, but he doesn't know the true series of events that lead to Doc leaving Boston. Doc's been with Boston for awhile and given them some good years. To say he "quit" is just plain ignorant. Sounds like Simmons is more interested in making this about him. Idiot
"I would like to call him an idiot, but I'm just gonna say that I think he is and then pretend like I didn't actually say it" How is that anything but pure class???
I agree with this. Simmons has a passion for the NBA, and it's infectious when you hear him talk about it. I say the same thing about Max Kellerman covering boxing...it's good for a sport to have people in media/commentating roles associated with it to be passionate about it, and not just cold and objective.
Just out of curiosity, what do you expect Simmons to do but speculate given a number of facts? At least Simmons is using Doc's own words and the situation's facts as his evidence. Simmons gets paid to talk about basketball. He has to make it interesting. It doesn't seem too far-fetched on what Simmons is saying. Either way, Doc is a tough guy, has thick skin and can take it.
I agree that he's correct, but I disagree (with Simmons) that it's worth even one wad of one panty. It's just not a big deal. 90% of coaches deal with these transitions very, very poorly. It's like breaking up with girlfriends -- who's good at that? Meh. Move on, Bill. Welcome your new underlord, Gerald Wallace. :grin:
I agree with Simmons. Anyone saying Doc didn't quit is missing the boat. Not only did Doc obviously have illegal communication with the Clippers and/or Paul, but when the trade was still being worked on and he was a member of the Celtics organization he told the Clippers NOT to trade Gordon in the deal because he wanted to coach him. That's outrageous.
No shame in what Doc did...didn't want to be part of a rebuilding process that may have eventually gotten him fired and soiled his reputation as an "elite" coach. I agree with Simmons...just own it. Admit that you didn't want to be a part of that at this point in your career, thank Boston for the opportunity and move on. Stop changing your story constantly.
Yeah, I have no problem with the idea he didn't want to coach what the Celtics were about to become. I do have a problem with his efforts to get himself traded to the Clippers while also keeping the Clippers from dealing good pieces.
