Rivers Becomes Clippers' Coach

Rivers Becomes Clippers’ Coach

Glen (Doc) Rivers had three years and $21 million remaining on his contract to coach the Boston Celtics.

But when it became obvious the Celtics were going to enter a rebuilding phase next season Rivers wondered if he wanted to be a part of that plan.

He had coached the Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship, and other than Phil Jackson he would be the highest profile coach available if he sought to escape his Boston contract.

Rivers was granted permission to discuss other jobs because he and Celtics general Manager Danny Ainge get along well and Ainge wouldn’t hold him to the contract if Rivers truly wanted to leave.

Today, Rivers has become coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Times certainly change.

The Clippers, with their rich history of winning NBA championships, don’t figure to be a contender in the next few years.

Ray Allen left to join the champion Miami Heat this season and the Celtics are trying to unload the contracts of aging Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Meanwhile the Clippers, seldom a contender on their history, now believe they could win the NBA championship. And a high profile coach fits into their plans.

Ainge was introduced Wednesday as the Clippers’ coach, But commissioner David Stern, believing the Clippers were working on a deal with the Celtics that would include Garnett, said he won’t approve any deal that brings Garnett to the Clippers.

So, it’s the off-season, which often is as interesting as the regular season.