Tag: Doc Rivers

Doc Rivers explains difference between Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic

Former Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers explains the difference between big men Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.

The two best big men in the league are without a doubt Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The two have combined to win the past three MVPs. Jokic received the honor in 2021 and 2022, and Embiid took it home in 2023.

The two are also among the best players in the league regardless of position. Jokic is coming off a deep playoff run in which he led the Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history. Embiid and the Sixers fell in the second round in a seven-game series with the Boston Celtics.

Former Sixers coach Doc Rivers hopped on “KG Certified” with former Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and he gave his opinion on the Embiid-Jokic debate:

He (Jokic) just does everything. Joel is the best scorer. Like, Joel’s the only guy who can stop Joel from scoring. You can’t stop — he can do everything, but The Joker, man, he just makes everybody better. He runs their whole offense. Just throw him the ball.

In his first season without Rivers, the big fella is averaging 35 points, 11.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Rivers played a big part in Embiid’s development — Embiid admitted as much — but coach Nick Nurse has been able to help unlock his playmaking. That is why he is on track to win his second consecutive MVP award.

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Former Celtics coach Doc Rivers on why he thinks Boston has the best sports fans

According to Rivers, what sets Boston apart is the unequaled combination of love, knowledge, and respect that the fans have for the game. 

Former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has not been shy of late about his affinity for his time at the helm of the team he helped win an NBA title with in 2008. Speaking in a recent NESN video, the ESPN broadcaster singled out Boston for its extraordinary sports fans.

According to Rivers, what sets Boston apart is the unequaled combination of love, knowledge, and respect that the fans have for the game.  He emphasized the depth of knowledge Boston fans have about their teams, and their love for them as well. What stands out most for Rivers is the respect these fans show for the game.

He believes that this sets Boston apart from any other city when it comes to the overall qualities of the fans.

Check out his comments in full above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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‘I regret it every day’: Doc Rivers on leaving the Boston Celtics for the Los Angeles Clippers

“You don’t look back, and I don’t, but I regret that at times, for sure,” said Rivers.

They say you can’t go back, but it sounds like Doc Rivers sometimes wishes he could. The coach of Boston’s 2008 title squad elected to decamp to the Los Angeles Clippers when it became clear the core he helped the Celtics win a title with was ending, but recently waxed poetic about his time in Boston at the “Tradition” fundraising gala. “I regret it every day,” said Rivers via NESN’s Tim Crowley.

“It was the right move for me at the time,” he added. “Nine years at one place. We were going to rebuild. I look back on that all the time. My life would have been so much smoother if I had stayed where I was at.”

“You don’t look back, and I don’t, but I regret that at times, for sure.”

“They were probably the best years of my life in sports,” recalled Rivers of his time coaching the Celtics. “Being here that entire time.”

“That time will never go away, for me and a lot of people involved in that. You still reminisce about it. It’s an amazing feeling that will never go away.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ex-Celtics coach Doc Rivers on the time he had Dennis Rodman babysit Austin Rivers

Who’d have thought we could add babysitting to rebounding and international diplomacy as things the Hall of Fame big man has as skills?

The thought of former NBA star Dennis Rodman babysitting their kids might spark terror in the minds of some parents, but to former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Speaking on a broadcast of a recent Sacramento Kings – Los Angeles Lakers tilt, Rivers recalled how The Worm offered his services when Doc found himself in need for the night.

“It was a one-time thing, but when I was in San Antonio (with the Spurs), I wanted to go out, and we used Dennis Rodman for one night babysitting Austin and some of our kids,” he explained via Boston Dot Com’s Luke Scotchie. “I don’t know if I’m parent of the year or the worst parent.”

“(Rodman) was over at the house and he said ‘Hey, I can do that. I love babysitting,'” said Rivers.

“And he did it, he did a great job. The house was a mess,” related Rivers. Who’d have thought we could add babysitting to rebounding and international diplomacy as things the Hall of Fame big man has as skills?

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Former NBA coach Doc Rivers impressed by Rockets guard Jalen Green

“Jalen Green, I didn’t know he could be this guy,” Doc Rivers says. “Watching him, I think he’s going to turn into what we want him to turn into.”

With six consecutive wins, the Rockets (6-3) are one of the biggest stories of the 2023-24 NBA season. After finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference in each of the last three seasons, new head coach Ime Udoka clearly has Houston on an upward trend.

Third-year guard Jalen Green, who is averaging 19 points per game on 40% shooting from 3-point range, is among the leading reasons. After struggling with defense and efficiency for much of his first two seasons, Green ranks among the league’s top-40 players, according to HoopsHype’s global rating metric.

One person who has taken notice is Doc Rivers, the former NBA coach and current ESPN analyst. Here’s what Rivers recently said about Green on “The Bill Simmons Podcast”:

Jalen Green, I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t know he could be this guy. I didn’t. The jury was still out for me; could he ever turn into a serious basketball player? … Watching him, I think he’s going to turn into what we want him to turn into.

Rivers also had kind words for Udoka as head coach.

“Listen, bringing Ime in and paying him, and I know that sounds nuts, but it’s very important,” Rivers said to Simmons. “But paying him, and giving a (four)-year deal, told every player, that not only there’s a new sheriff in town, but this sheriff has two guns.”

The complete Rivers interview can be listened to below. As for Green, Udoka, and the rest of the 2023-24 Rockets, the schedule resumes Friday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

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Doc Rivers told a wild story about hiring Dennis Rodman to babysit his children (including Austin)

Doc Rivers said the house was a MESS.

Doc Rivers has transitioned from the coaching sidelines to the broadcasting booth, which means fans are about to hear some interesting stories.

Rivers, who is now working for ESPN and was on the call during the Lakers game against the Kings on Wednesday night, told a fascinating story about a time when he was teammates with Dennis Rodman.

Apparently, when Rivers and Rodman were teammates on the Spurs, the future coach asked the five-time NBA champion for an unusual favor.

Here is what Rivers said:

“It was a one-time thing when I was in San Antonio. I wanted to go out and we used Dennis Rodman for one night babysitting Austin,” said Rivers. “I don’t know if I’m the parent of the year or the worst parent.”

Rodman, who is known for his colorful personality and eccentric antics both on and off the court, probably isn’t at the top of your list for who you would expect to ask to help out with a babysitting gig.

According to Rivers, though, the former Bulls star said that he loved babysitting. Rivers added that Rodman “did a great job” but that the house was a mess.

Rivers and Rodman were teammates during the 1994-95 season. That means that Austin (who played in the NBA from 2012 until 2023) was two or three years old. Doc’s daughter Callie, now married to NBA guard Seth Curry, was likely around five or six at the time.

We would love to hear what Austin and Callie remember, if anything, about this experience!

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On the time 16-year-old Austin Rivers challenged Kevin Garnett to a 1-on-1 game

During a visit to his father, Doc Rivers, who was coaching the Boston Celtics at that time, Austin took the opportunity to test his skills against NBA players.

In his high school playing days, Austin Rivers was arguably one of the most confident basketball players in the game at that level, with a stellar skill set that made him one of the top recruits in the country.

During a visit to his father, Doc Rivers, who was coaching the Boston Celtics at that time, Austin took the opportunity to test his skills against NBA players at the Celtics practice facility. He played against Hall of Fame small forward Paul Pierce and current-day ESPN broadcaster Kendrick Perkins, beating them both, which boosted his confidence. He then challenged Kevin Garnett, an NBA legend, to a 1 on 1 game. Garnett, taken aback at first, accepted the challenge.

Despite Austin’s confidence and fiery spirit, Garnett won the game 5-1

To hear the tale of that two man Celtics tilt, take a look at the clip embedded above from the folks at the “Bench Mob” YouTube channel.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On this day: Celtics Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Jermaine O’Neal born; John Havlicek jersey retired

On this day, Boston Celtics alumni Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, and Jermaine O’Neal were born, and John Havlicek’s jersey was retired.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, franchise icon small forward Paul Pierce was born in Oakland, California in 1977. A product of the University of Kansas, Pierce somehow managed to slip to be taken 10th overall by the Celtics in the 1998 NBA draft, joining a moribund Boston team that had fallen from its former glory.

Pierce would make the All-Rookie First Team in his inaugural season, and quickly cemented his status as a star on the rise. He would make his first All-Star team in 2002, two seasons after a stabbing incident in a local nightclub nearly cost him his life.

Famously, it somehow did not cause him to miss even a single game of that season, however.

Doc Rivers gives thoughts on James Harden situation with the Sixers

Former coach Doc Rivers gives his thoughts on the James Harden situation with the Philadelphia 76ers.

With the 2023-24 season right around the corner, the Philadelphia 76ers still have to figure out the James Harden situation. The Beard has been with the team and he has been a professional, but he hasn’t played in any games and he still wants a trade.

The summer was a tumultuous one for Harden and the Sixers. The future Hall of Famer let it be known he wants out. He called out President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, and he still has his eyes on joining the Los Angeles Clippers.

Former Sixers coach Doc Rivers, now a broadcaster with ESPN, joined “NBA Today” and gave his thoughts on the Harden situation for Philadelphia:

Sixers’ Danuel House Jr. explains difference between Nick Nurse, Doc Rivers

Philadelphia 76ers guard Danuel House Jr. explains the difference in coaching styles between Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Philadelphia 76ers are getting ready to begin a new season under the guidance of a new voice. Nick Nurse takes over as the team’s head coach after three seasons of Doc Rivers’ leadership.

Rivers was a very successful coach who helped change a great lot in Philadelphia. However, the Sixers were unable to get past the second round of the playoffs. They were ousted in the conference semifinals in all three seasons under Rivers.

Nurse enters a situation similar to the Toronto Raptors when he took over. It was a team that had issues getting over the hump in the postseason and was looking to finally break through.

Two days in training camp, Danuel House Jr. explained what a Nurse practice has been like.

“Great,” said House Jr. “I mean, breaking everything down, working with guys, taking his time teaching us new things, and giving us confidence. So it’s been great for the last, I would say, 48 hours for all of us.”

House Jr., in his second season in Philadelphia, was asked to describe the differences between the two coaches. The veteran out of Texas A&M went on to discuss what he views are two different coaching styles.

“It’s just a lot more selfless basketball,” House Jr. explained. “It’s not so much of two guys having a ball. Doc is two guys, ball dominant. Nick Nurse is everybody play together. Everybody works with each other. Help, cuts, get your brother open shots. You can see the difference night and day.”

It is true the Sixers ran a lot of pick-and-roll under Rivers, and why not? Joel Embiid and James Harden nearly ran it to perfection.

Under Nurse, there will be far more free-flowing offense, and he wants to get everybody a chance to contribute. It will be interesting to see how the Sixers handle themselves under Nurse.

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