The Doc Rivers Era Is Over

ESPN – After days of wrangling, negotiating and posturing, the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed in principle to a deal with the Celtics for coach Doc Rivers, pending league approval, according to sources. Sources confirmed on Sunday that the Clippers will sign Rivers to a three-year, $21 million contract. They will send a first-round pick as compensation for the Boston Celtics, who have agreed to release the coach from the three years, $21 million he has remaining on his deal with the club.

I love this deal. Because I’m one of those guys that believes you don’t win with x’s and o’s, you win with Jimmy’s and Joes. So trading a coach for a first round draft pick is no brainer city in my book. Granted I certainly can buy the argument that in the NBA it’s easier to get free agents if the players have a coach they like, but honestly I didn’t see any big name free agents coming to Boston with or without Doc.  So again I like the deal and I have no ill will towards Doc either. This basically sounds like a move everybody including the Celtics thought was best for the Celtics future.   No point in having a great coach if you don’t have the players to win with.  It’s officially the beginning of the rebuilding process.