Doc Rivers To Have Throat Surgery

"Celtics coach Doc Rivers will have surgery today to remove a noncancerous growth from his throat, a team spokesman confirmed. The procedure comes seven months after Rivers had a biopsy to determine if lesions on his throat were cancerous. The results of those tests came back negative (Boston.com)."

I guess Rivers has family history of throat cancer, so it is great news that this isn't anything more serious. I do wonder if this had anything to do with him never having a voice. I know he yells a lot during the game, but it got to the point where he could barely talk. Hopefully everything goes well, and maybe we will be able to understand him better later in the games.

Interesting Interview With Doc Rivers

As DP wrote about earlier Doc has signed a 5 year deal with the Celtics, which was shocking. He was on WEEI today, and I found some of the things he was talking about very interesting.

On Big Baby's poor play..

"I thought it was more in between his ears than his play. I thought the whole contract thing affected his play. I thought he had the wrong focus at times because of that. I think when you stray away from just being a team player and being the role that you're given, I think you struggle. I think all players do. And I thought Baby did that.

"I thought scoring was way too important to him, instead of being who he is. Baby's never going to be a great scorer in our league, but he can score. What Baby has to be is an energy player, a guy who takes charges. Yeah, if we get him for the right price," he said. "I think it would be nice, but we can't overpay. That will be up to Danny and Wyc [Grousbeck] and them. That's one of the things I stay out of, at least I try to. We've got to get him back in the right frame of mind. And that's the way he was the last 20 games. Baby's a good basketball player. He can help us or any other team. But, to me, only if he plays the right way (WEEI)."

Listening to it Doc seemed pissed at Big Baby. He was very loyal to him, and gave him the minutes, but in the end Big Baby just never came around. We have written many times that their were reports that Big Baby got fat. Doc was asked about it, and he said that he didn't know, but that it seemed pretty obvious from just looking at him that he had put on weight. All of this to me means he is gone. If Big Baby didn't have the concentration to keep his weight in check during his contract year (probably the most important year of his career) then I don't think he is worth investing in. Plus, guys with his body type don't last long in the NBA.

On being part of the rebuilding process...

"I don't think anyone's looking forward to that, but I'm willing to do that," he said. "I had a group that has been very loyal to me. I think it would have been very easy for me to just run and go somewhere else and chase something else. It would have been easier to do it the other way; I just don't think it's the right thing to do. Coaches talk about loyalty and team all the time. I just thought it was time to show it. And that's what I did (WEEI)."

Very interesting. I was wondering why he came back, and maybe he felt that the "Big 3" gave him so much that he should be the one that rides this process out with them. I also think this "showing loyalty" plays into the long term. KG/Allen are in their last year, and if he remains loyal to them this could be a stepping stone to attracting more free agents. Doc is already one of the most beloved coaches in the NBA, and showing that you are loyal (even through the bad times) could go a long way to bringing in a big time free agent (Howard, Paul, ect). I think the Celtics have enough to make a decent run next year if they sign good guys next year, while also not crushing their future. They can sign a bunch of 1 year contracts, and then have the cap room and core (Rondo, Pierce, maybe Green).

Doc Rivers Agrees To Extension

This happened last Friday but still worth mentioning. Doc Rivers decided to go crazy and instead of retiring he signed a 5 year, 35 million dollar contract.

It's kind of crazy that this happened because he was willing to walk away after last year and I felt like he had to be convinced to come back. So I feel that most Celtics fans believed he was a definite goner this year. But something changed, I don't know what but something did and he is going to be here not only next year but throughout the whole rebuilding process once the big 3 are over.

This is really exciting news figuring Doc Rivers is arguably the best coach in the NBA and he's not going to stick around unless Danny at least makes this team relevant. It's going to be pretty funny when Doc Rivers is going to coach against his own son when he leaves Duke.

My Thought On The Celtics

Last night sucked...

It sucked not only because the Miami Heat and LeBron beat us, but it could be the end of an era. The Big 3 had their run and it may be time that the Lakers and Celtics hand the ball off to the young kids and let them run with it for a bit. But I don't think it's as gloom as people are making it out to be.

After the game we got some great news from Doc:
"I'm leaning heavily toward coming back," said Rivers. "I haven't made that decision, but I can tell you, I probably will. I've kind of come to that over the last couple of weeks. You know I'm a Celtic and I love our guys. And I want to win again here. I'm competitive as hell and I have a competitive group."

I'm going to trust him on his word that he's going to be back so the dominoes are starting to fall.

The second thing is Rajon won't have a flamingo arm and be able to play with both hands. People will overlook his ineffectiveness due to the arm when they talk about this series, but mark my words, if we had a healthy Rondo we would have won game 4 and we certainly would have won last night. We didn't score in the last 4 and a half minutes. He is the catalyst for this offense puts all the players in the position they need to be in to have the shot or drive they need. Him not being 100% was completely evident on how important he is to this team.

The turnover, I don't expect to see Troy Murphy, Sasha Pavlovic, Jermaine O'Neal, Shaq, Carlos Arroyo, Von Wafer and Glen Davis back. I would do everything in my power to bring Delonte back on a short term contract and go from there. Jeff Green will be back next year for around 5 million so we have something to work with. I don' know what is going to happen with the CBA, but getting into that already is too much to think about so I'm not going to get into it.

Kendrick Perkins trade time. Anyone who believes Perkins would have made a damn difference in this series is a fool. I'm sick of hearing about toughness and what have you, we have Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo we have enough of that. Perkins was a fan favorite and a guy I was saddened to see go, I feel like I lost a family member, but it would have made no difference. Everyone is making him out to be Kendrick Abdul Jabar and forget that he wouldn't have played in the final quarter in any of the games, he couldn't score and was a decent rebounder at best. I'm not trying to bash Perkins but him main objective every game was to take up room and have a scowl on his face. People's response will be, "well if we had Perkins the outcome wouldn't have been any worse" True, but we still would have lost the series.

The last thing is the Danny factor. Danny needs to have a better off season because the most underrated move that happened last summer was Chris Wallace scooping up Tony Allen. If Tony Allen was still on this team we wouldn't have had to move for a forward and everything would be status quo. Bob said it true last night, we would have been better off with Rasheed Wallace and Tony Allen. I don't know who will be a free agent, what the CBA will bring and what trades can be made, I just know Danny will need to do something drastic.

Could This Be It For Doc?

Rivers is one of the NBA's few remaining untouchable coaches, along with San Antonio's Gregg Popovich and the Los Angeles Lakers' Phil Jackson, but countless coaching insiders believe that Rivers will be taking no less than a one-year hiatus at season's end. No matter what happens in the playoffs. Although Celts president Danny Ainge and the veteran trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were able to lobby Rivers last summer to come back for one last run together, pessimism reigns in Boston when it comes to successfully lobbying him again. Word is Doc is determined to free himself up to see his Duke-bound son, Austin, after work commitments prevented him from watching his other three children as much as he wanted to see them compete in various sports.ESPN

I would be shocked if Doc left this summer to be honest. I think he will see KG and Ray Allen out figuring they have 1 year left. Can you blame him though if he does walk away though? He's done a great job with the Celtics and probably the best Celtics coach in my lifetime but he has his son Austin going to school next year (Duke) and will most likely be the number 1 pick in the draft.

And the Celtics have a couple of replacement options I trust Lawrence Frank if he is to coach and then there is always an outside shot of Jerry Sloan returning to coaching.

Like I said, I would be surprised if he isn't here until KG and Rays time is done.

Delonte West Back Wednesday

Delonte West told ESPNBoston.com on Sunday that his sprained right ankle is still sore, but he plans to play Wednesday against Indiana.

"There's still a little bit of soreness in [the ankle]," said West. "[I still] don't have my explosiveness. I've been able to push off of it; I can gingerly go through drills, but it's not putting that game pressure on it. A few more days should be sufficient (ESPN)."

If he isn't 100% then why the hell is he going to play. I just don't see Doc letting him go out there without his "explosiveness". It just seems like is stupid with the way the Celtics have approached injuries all season.

"There's still a lot of season left," said Rivers. "If Delonte didn't play a game this year, then played well in the playoffs, you would say he had a successful season. At the end of the day, be available at the end (ESPN)."

Exactly Doc. So, either West is making a bigger deal then he needs to about this "pain", or Doc will end up sitting him. The Celtics are getting healthier (knock on wood) by the day, and once they get everyone back they are going to be unstoppable.

Doc Has Throat Surgery

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers had a procedure Sunday to relieve pressure on his vocal cords and missed practice on Monday.

"He feels good, but the doctor doesn't want him using his voice, so it will kind of be day-to-day," assistant coach Lawrence Frank told ESPNBoston.com.

This won't be a big deal as Doc will be back. Lawrence Frank will be running the team for the time being, whom I trust.

Oh yea, Celtics open practice today at 6 at TD Banknorth if anyone is in the area.

Austin Rivers Headed To Duke

Austin Rivers, the son of Doc and the best basketball player in the Class of 2011, has chosen Duke.

This is a bittersweet feeling. I'm glad that Doc's son is getting a great shot and him and Stephen Curry's brother should be a great back court however, it's Duke. I hate Duke and I don't want to see them be successful. I'm sorry Doc but I guess the best I can do for you is rooting that your son doesn't play the first year, gets discouraged and transfers to a noble school like Kentucky.

Celtics Out Of Shape?

Going into this season I was worried about the conditioning of some of the guys on the Celtics. Not Allen, or Rondo, but guys like Shaq, Big Baby, O'Neal, even Paul Pierce. Well, it looks like I had a right to be concerned...

Rivers wasn't exactly blooming with pride over his older club's condition. From the Boston Globe :

"...I think that we’re not in great shape personally. I don’t think that we’ve come back in the condition that we want. So we’re going to have to come back in better shape."

“What we did last year was play Game 7 on the road,” Rivers said. “If Game 7 was in Boston Garden it would have been very different. So that was on us. Last year was out of necessity. It wasn’t planned. It was planned if we had the injuries, then we had to make a tough call to start resting guys in the middle of the season. I hope as coach I don’t have to make that call this year."

I am very interested to see how the Celtics play the regular season. Last year they basically took it off. Doc even said they were "bored", but this year should be different. The Knicks, Bulls, and Heat have improved dramatically, and obviously the Magic will still be a very good team. I am not overly concerned, since they proved last year they can turn it on whenever they want, but Doc makes an interesting point... What if Game 7 last year was in Boston?

Doc Rivers And Big Baby Not Getting Along Again

This story is starting to get old, but Big Baby is once again shooting off his mouth and Doc Rivers has had just about enough.

Here is what Big Baby originally said...

“It’s difficult because as a player you kind of don’t understand where they’re going or what they’re doing,” Big Baby told reporters at Monday’s media day at the practice facility in Waltham. “No matter what I do - I can play great - it’s still not enough.”

Here is Doc Rivers' response...

“I’m not even worried about Glen Davis,” coach Doc Rivers said yesterday after the Celts had completed their first training camp practice at Salve Regina University. “I think he’s living up to his (nickname) again. Somebody just told me, and I’m not that concerned. If Baby doesn’t know his role by now, he’s going to be sitting down a lot. I just leave it simple. I just move on."

I totally back Rivers on this. Yes, I am sure it is annoying to Big Baby that behind all these veterans, but I feel he only has himself to blame. It's great he shows up in the playoffs, but he has been far from impressive during the regular season. On top of that he does stupid things like make comments like this or get in a fight with his friend and break his hand causing him to miss the beginning of last season. At the end of the day I doubt anything will come of this, but don't be surprised if Doc sends a message early in the season and benches him more then usual. Bottom line is Big Baby needs to grow up.

Artest Blasts Doc Rivers

As if the Celtics/Lakers rivalry needed anymore gasoline in the fire...

"At the time Ron Artest obviously in another world, so he probably didn't hear Doc Rivers immediately following the Lakers' Game 7 Finals win over the Celtics, when Rivers made special effort to point out that the Lakers still hadn't beaten the Celtics' starting five (Kendrick Perkins was sidelined with an ACL injury) .

In recent days, Rivers made the rounds and in an interview with John Thompson on ESPN 980 he said it again. Word apparently worked its way to Artest, who two months after the Finals appears to have come down enough to take Rivers' comments as fighting words (Boston.com)."

Here are Artest's tweets

- "Doc got one million excuses..
Just come back this season a take what you want..."

- "Boston lost to lakers because of Kendrick Perkins injury. What about in 08 when Bynum was injured. What about this year Bynum was injured .."

- "What about Kobe played with a broke finger .... What about Ron artest defense When the Boston staff said Ron artest was too slow" (of course this ass-clown speaks in the 3rd person)

As much as I hate to admit Artest is kind of right. Bottom line is that you either win or lose, you can't sit back and just make excuses, but I also see what Rivers is doing. I think one of the biggest things for the Celtics is to have all these old guys keep believing they can still do it. Sounds simple, but I believe comments like that make them believers.

I really just love all of this. The Yankees vs. Sox has lost some of it's nastiness, but Celtics/Lakers is more then picking up the slack. The addition of Shaq, history, and these comments have done enough to get the most lethargic NBA fan interested.

Doc Rivers To Miami?

If this happens I might kill myself.

According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Pat Riley has his eye on current Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

“Riley has his eye on Doc Rivers to someday coach the Heat,” writes Wojnarowski. “Rivers has one year left on his Celtics contract, and has been heavily affected by the distance between him and his family still living in Orlando.”

Basically the scenario would be that Doc's contract runs out at the end of the year. He wants to be with his family, so most likely he is going to retire, but the Heat convince him he can have his family and be championship coach as well. So, he signs with Miami.

I still don't think it is going to happen, because I really do believe Doc will take some time off after this season and REALLY be with his family. Though, I have to admit this would certainly have to at least interest him. All I know is if this happens I am declaring war on the city of Miami. I have no idea what that means, but that's what I'll do.

Doc Is Staying?

Via Steve Bulpett of the Herald:

Doc Rivers is not opting out.

The Celtic coach will be returning to the club for at least the remaining season on his contract, a source close to Rivers indicated moments ago.

The fact Rivers is staying on would seem to be an encouraging sign that the Celtics’ main players will also be back for another season.

The plan is coming all together. And The Captain can blow me with his Oh C'mon Celtics Fans Talk. The Celtics were a quarter away from winning the Championship last year and Doc Rivers proved to be an elite coach. Doc obviously came back because he feels he can do one more championship run. So this is just step 1 of another championship run. Step 2 is locking Pierce up to a 3 or 4 (I'd prefer 3) year deal between 14-18 a year with the no trade clause. This will give the Celtics more flexibility to sign better role players. Then the third thing is locking up Ray Allen to a 2 year deal. (remember Pierce and Allens contract don't dip into luxury tax area because of Bird rights) 4th get Mike Miller, resign Tony Allen, and a quality rebound eater. 5th Championship! Banner 18 is on the way.

UBUNTU!!!

If Not Doc, Then Who?

Doc Rivers has yet to decide if he is coming back next year or not yet. He has said that he will make a decision at some point this week, but according to numerous reports Vinny Del Negro is on the Celtics "short list" for coaching options. Del Negro coached the Bulls for two seasons before being fired in May. He accumulated an 82-82 regular season record and 4-8 in the postseason, including a seven-game first round series against the Celtics in 2009.

I am not a big Del Negro fan, and I am not sold that he would be the guy the Celtics would bring in. Ainge is going to want someone he sees eye to eye with and trusts (like he does with Rivers). That's why I still believe McHale will still be the front runner for the job should River step down.

Rivers Close To Decision

There are article all over the internet about Doc Rivers recent interview on WEEI. I don't know why everyone is making a big deal about this, because he really didn't tell us shit.

"[Father's Day] was nice," Rivers said. "A couple of my kids were out of town, playing sports, as usual, but it was nice to be home, to have family around. So that's always nice.

"We didn't talk about [a decision] at all, really. We've only even brought it up once since the season has been over. It's still very difficult to get through Game 7, let alone talk about the future, to be honest."

"I'm not going to say which way I'm leaning, and I am one way, but I can look you in the eye and tell you I have not made a decision," he said. "We've only had one small conversation and we're going to do that in the next week or so."

"The only reason you stay is the love for the guys you coach, and the organization -- [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge], and all those guys you work for," Rivers said. "You know if you do leave, you're not going to get that back. You can get a coaching job back, no doubt about that, but I don't think you can ever get the situation that I have here in Boston.

"So that will be difficult to leave, but the other side of it is so strong as well with family. It's going to be an interesting decision, and I don't know what is yet."

See...he didn't really say anything. Anyways, I still think he is gone, but DP does believe he is coming back. It would be a terrible loss for the Celtics if Doc does decides to leave, especially since they have already lost Tom Thibodeau. Doc Rivers showed how great of a coach he was in this playoffs, and even if he wants to take some time off he will still be considered a top coach whenever he decides to come back.

Hopefully we will get an answer sometime this week, because this could be a domino effect if he leaves, but if he stays then DP's article today could be spot on. I think if Rivers return it will only be for this year, and the Celtics will do everything they can to make one more run with the current group of players.

Gerry Callahan Thinks Rivers Is Gone

A lot has been made of whether or not Doc Rivers will return next season. I am sure this isn't on the mind of the Celtics now and Rivers said he will not speak about it until the season is over, but Gerry Callahan of the Boston Herald thinks when Rivers finally makes up his mind he'll walk away...

""My guess: He's gone. Win or lose, when the NBA Finals end so is Doc Rivers' terrific run as coach of the Celtics. Say goodbye to the good guy. Or better yet, if you are wearing a C's road uniform tonight, win one for Rivers because you never may play for a better leader, a better communicator, a better example, a better coach. ... Doc never has denied that he would like to take a break sometime, and this much is certain: There never will be a better time to take a sabbatical, professionally, personally or any other way. ... So now Doc has a choice: He'll either quit his job, clear his schedule and relish every postgame dinner at Applebee's with his kids, or he'll run himself ragged trying to be all things to all people."

Before I thought that there was a good chance he would come back, but I am not so sure anymore. It really makes a lot of sense to walk away after this season (win or lose). The Celtics are most likely going to have to go into some level of rebuilding mode, so if Doc left now he could spend time with his kids, while also leaving on top. When he does decide to return he will be one of the most sought after coaches, especially with a lot of the "great" coaches coming to retirement age.

Anyways, it doesn't matter Celtics get him another ring tonight.

Could this be Doc's Last Year?

"Part of it is true," Rivers told the Herald. "Every year I sit down in the middle of the summer and I have a family discussion. We talk about what we want to do. That's nothing new, but every year it gets stronger and stronger. And I think people are making some common-sense reads. I've got three seniors next year, two in college and one in high school. That's important to me. We're all family men. We all have kids.

"Every year you've got to weigh what's best for your kids. That's just the way it is. But, I don't get into it now. I don't talk about it. I've never told anyone one way or the other, and that's how it's always been." says Rivers

I don't think this will be his last year, unless the Celtics do terrible in the playoffs and Danny gives him the option to step down or be fired. Doc has one year remaining on his current deal and I think that will be it. Doc has been a great coach for the Celtics, won them a championship, etc, but I feel as if he is losing the team a little bit or doesn't know how to quite handle the players declining due to age.

With that being said, Doc is probably the best Celtics Coach I can remember in my lifetime.

Paul Pierce Injury Update

Wish I had better news, but Paul Pierce will miss at least couple more games according to Doc Rivers...

"We want to make sure it gets right," Rivers told ESPNBoston.com. "It's one of those things where, if he gets hit again, he'll go back down that road. We want to make sure when he comes back he can play, and play at that Paul level we know."

Doc is 100% right here. There is no reason to rush this, and have him run the risk of hurting it worse and being out longer. Let it heal. The Celtics are not going to be a #1 or #2 seed in these playoffs, so you might as well make sure everyone is completely healthy for the long and tough playoff run.

Some random thoughts on a Tuesday afternoon

-I don’t care if Dwight Freeney is "50/50." A speed/edge rusher like him relies on that ankle and he won’t be bulldozing the Saints offensive line even if he decides to play.

- My friend Josh put the Saints game plan well today, saying the Saints need to force the Colts to rely on Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. They are good but if this game turns into a shootout (which we all know it will), the Saints’ attack is simply better. Peyton Manning is great but the Saints are deeper and better equipped for a back and forth game.

-Pretty interesting to hear Mike Reiss say that Bill Parcells finally showed some regret in leaving the Pats. You could make the argument he was a disappointment with the Jets and Cowboys, aside from making it to the 1998 AFC title game against the Broncos.

-At some point, Doc Rivers needs to take some blame for the Celtic offense. Rajon Rondo has simply been dribbling too much and trying to create offense with 6 or 7 seconds remaining on the shot clock. Some of this has been due to poor shooting (Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace specifically) but an offense that was stale a month ago has become inept due a lack of ingenuity.

-Not sure it could’ve been predicted that the Red Sox suddenly have the brightest future out of the Boston teams. The Patriots are facing their biggest offseason since 2000 and the Celtics are paying for their aging, albeit fantastic, title team of 2007-2008. I just feel like Boston sports are in a state of flux right now. I don’t like this at all.

-The Patriots need to go out and get a reliable, every-down tight end. This needs to happen for both blocking purposes and the fact that this offense certainly needs a wrinkle.

-After an 87-win season last year and Josh Johnson locked up, the Marlins are looking good going into the next few years. Check out their top 10 prospects. Combined with a new ballpark, they have an enviable future.

-Old news department: If Tony LaRussa brings Mark McGwire up for a PH appearance in September, will he need to be drug tested? At the very least I hope they check out his neck. Either way, I’m bringing this up because it’s a story that won’t be going away.

-Michael Vick thinks he can be a top-10 quarterback again? I’m sorry but when your career high in completion percentage is 56.4, you were never a top QB.

Ainge Not Looking To Make Any Roster Moves

There were reports that the Celtics were making moves to get Nate Robinson, but Ainge sees to have changed his tone...

"I really feel like we have good chemistry," Ainge tells The Boston Globe. "I just feel like we have been experiencing some of the problems I worried about at the beginning of the season. We haven't been healthy this year and I feel like we're going to be. It just happens that we put it on cruise control a little bit too often. But I think that our team is very talented and we have a good mix of players. We're not going to make changes just to make changes," Ainge added."

Obviously he would never just come out and state that the teams needs an overhaul, but I think you are going to hear a lot of rumors up until the trade deadline. In the end, I agree with what Ainge is saying. The talent is there, and I am not buying that they are all suddenly over-the-hill. Boston needs to get healthy, and they need to bring some enthusiasm to their game. Having Garnett back should help, but I put more of this on Doc. He needs to step up and get this team out of this slump.