Doc Rivers says the Celtics have undergone the best rebuild 'maybe ever' in the 4 years since he left
Ezra Shaw/Getty
In the four years since Rivers left the Boston Celtics for Los Angeles, the Clippers have enjoyed the most productive run in the history of the franchise - in 2017, they topped 50 wins for the fifth consecutive season, a team record. But while the once downtrodden Clippers have done a remarkable job of turning things around, Rivers believes that one NBA executive is ahead of all the rest: his former boss in Boston, Danny Ainge.
Ainge is known as an incredibly savvy dealmaker who never shies away from trading beloved players in exchange for future assets. Celtics fans don't always agree with his moves at first, but with nine postseason appearances in the last decade, including last season's run to the Eastern Conference Finals, they can't deny their effectiveness.
Neither can Rivers, who praised both Ainge and his own replacement, head coach Brad Stevens, for their rapid work in turning around a team that went just 25-57 in the 2013-14 season.
"I love what they've done," he said, according to Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Herald. "I think the turnaround in four years starting with hiring Brad and then going from…[Ainge] and [assistant general manager] Mike Zarren have done the best job I've seen in sports in a long, long time of rebuilding. Maybe ever."
Ainge has long been known for his propensity for big trades, but he took that reputation to new heights this offseason. He recently traded Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and Ante Zizic, along with two draft picks, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving, who was eager to escape the shadow of LeBron James. Ainge also dealt defensive whiz Avery Bradley to the Pistons for Marcus Morris, which freed up the cap space to sign Gordon Hayward, one of the summer's top free agents.
The result is a roster that features just four returning players. That's an absurdly low number for a team that won 53 games last season, yet the Celtics are still viewed by many observers as the favorite to win the conference.
With the addition of players like Danilo Gallinari, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams and Milos Teodosic, Rivers' roster will also have a new look this season, but he still has fond memories of his days in Boston.
"My love for them hasn't changed," Rivers said. "For me, it was time for me to change. When you're somewhere for nine years, you don't think whether it's the right or wrong decision, you think it's the right decision for you at that time. But as far as wanting them to do well, that will never change. Unless they're playing me."
Rivers and the Clippers will kick off their season on October 19 against their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. They're scheduled to face the Celtics on January 24 of next year.
- I'm an interior designer. Here are 10 things in your living room you should get rid of.
- A software engineer shares the résumé he's used since college that got him a $500,000 job at Meta — plus offers at TikTok and LinkedIn
- Higher-paid employees looking for work are having a tough time, and it could be a sign of a shift in the workplace
- Adani Green Energy Q4 net profit declines 39 pc to Rs 310 cr due to rising expenses
- Rupee rises 3 paise to end at 83.43 against US dollar
- 500 times faster than 5g! Japanese companies unveil 6g internet that can stream 5 HD movies at once
- Top tourist places to visit in Ooty in 2024
- Renewable energy accounted for 71 per cent of India's new power generation in FY 24
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market