Im a day late on the Doc RiversRay Allen stuff, but want to make two quick points.
"People can use all the Rondo stuffand it was there, no doubt about thatbut it was me more than Rondo," Rivers told Adrian Wojnarowski. "I'm the guy who gave Rondo the ball. I'm the guy who decided that Rondo needed to be more of the leader of the team. That doesn't mean guys liked thatand Ray did not love thatbecause Rondo now had the ball all the time."
Point 1: I realize that Docs trying to take the blame here, but in reality, he only deserves credit.
Not for running Ray out of town, but for doing the right thing. For having the ability to take emotion out of an important decision and do whats best for the team.
What more can you ask for in a coach?
It's that mentality which has made the Patriots so successful over the last decade; its the lack of that mentality which has recently doomed the Sox. And it feels good to know that the Celtics boss can make that distinction. It's an important level of trust for a coach to have with his team and his fan base. Last season, Doc earned it.
Point 2: Its for that reason that I still dont think it will be a problem if Doc ever coaches Austin. I know there are a lot of people out there who, from Day 1, have contended that teaming up Doc and his son would be an unmitigated disaster; that there's no way Rivers could do it with an unbiased eye and avoid stirring up unholy animosity in the locker room.
Boston Celtics
But I disagree. I think he has too much respect for his job, his employers, his fans and most importantly, his players to ever breach that kind of trust. That's what makes Doc Rivers Doc Rivers.
And that's one of many reasons the Celtics are so lucky to have him.
Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine