Q: Doc Rivers. Tom Thibodeau: A great leader, the ability to think on his feet, communicate, connect. He doesn’t want you to think how basketball-driven he is, but he is (laugh). Q: Gregg Popovich. Tom Thibodeau: He’s been great to me throughout my career. He’s allowed me to come down and visit for practice. The leadership ability, his communication skills, his sarcasm, he knows how to use that in a very effective way (smile) … probably similar to Coach Parcells. Most people would be smelling the roses, he’s not doing that.