If Doc leaves, a leading candidate to coach the team is... Kevin McHale?

[snowball]

IF Doc takes time off to be with his family, and is at least temporarily unavailable, then I say Danny should consider what the players want. Especially Pierce because you've all read about how PP has to approve of any new coach to stay on his last year of contract which IS optional.
So without knowing what PP thinks, this conversation is moot.
Thibby would have been the natural heir.

Personally I'm not crazy about the McHale idea.
He did not do a good job in Minnesota and I'm concerned about the chemistry with these players.

[Andy Jick]

I don't see McHale linking himself to a potential "rebuilding" situation, which could be the case if a number of things play out (Pierce opts out, Ray leaves - but I doubt this).

The fact that we have proven building blocks in Rondo and Perkins (two of the hardest positions to fill), the rebuilding process won't be as bad you think. When teams rebuild, they often start with young, unproven players which we all know ends up bad more times than not. But we have 2 young, championship tested veterans to get us started with a superb back big in Baby. This situation may be more appealing than you are giving credit to.

I personally wouldn't label Perk a "proven building block."  Funny, but I would not be shocked if he were traded this offseason.  I see Rondo as the only sure thing on this team moving forward, as KG is wearing down, Ray will be a year older (proving he can't do it every night) and Paul is a very good player, but no longer great.  I'm not sure I would want to coach this team, as I believe there are more question marks than exclamation points on it...  This offseason could prove to be a very busy one quite possibly...

[blackbird]

I have trouble seeing KG wanting to work for McHale again.

[SCBirdman]

My preference would be to hire Larry Bird as Head Coach, but I know that won't ever happen. Bird did a great job with the Pacers and was close to winning it all.

With Bird off the table, my top choice would be Jeff Van Gundy.

If JVG won't take it, then my next choice would be Avery Johnson.

No AJ, then I think a young coach like Mark Jackson might be the way to go with an obvious rebuilding job coming in the next couple of seasons.

I love #32, but I just don't know if he could coach Rondo, Sheed and some of the other personalities on our roster. Also don't know how many FA's would be jumping to come and play for McHale.

That is why I am hoping that Doc will come back, because I think if he will coach 3-5 more years, we may be able to rebuild via the draft and FA to make another run for a banner. I think Doc has a tremendous reputation now around the league and guys will want to come to Boston to play for Doc....if only he will stick around.

[Andy Jick]

Please...no Avery Johnson.  He's like the Fran Drescher of NBA coaches.

[hpantazo]

My preference would be to hire Larry Bird as Head Coach, but I know that won't ever happen. Bird did a great job with the Pacers and was close to winning it all.

With Bird off the table, my top choice would be Jeff Van Gundy.

If JVG won't take it, then my next choice would be Avery Johnson.

No AJ, then I think a young coach like Mark Jackson might be the way to go with an obvious rebuilding job coming in the next couple of seasons.

I love #32, but I just don't know if he could coach Rondo, Sheed and some of the other personalities on our roster. Also don't know how many FA's would be jumping to come and play for McHale.

That is why I am hoping that Doc will come back, because I think if he will coach 3-5 more years, we may be able to rebuild via the draft and FA to make another run for a banner. I think Doc has a tremendous reputation now around the league and guys will want to come to Boston to play for Doc....if only he will stick around.

TP. My top choice would also be Jeff Van Gundy, by a wide margin.

[nickagneta]

I think McHale would be a good choice for a few reasons:

1.) He's a pretty darn good coach. Say what you want about his abilities as a GM but he did win 20 games with the Timberwolves in 2008-09 with what I consider one of the truly worst collections of talent possibly ever scene on an NBA roster.

2.) He's a veteran NBA guy who players like and for this veteran team next year, that's what this team would need. They don't need a power hungry disciplinarian. Avery Johnson would be a disaster here.

3.) He's friends with Danny and if Danny let's him know that this could be a temporary hiring based on the fact that once Doc wants to return, that the job is his once again, I think McHale could be amenable to that as Danny could easily kick McHale upstairs to join the long list of former Celtic legends working for the team.

I do think if Doc leaves, it's not a permanent departure. I think both he and Danny love working together and I think Do loves the franchise and the idea of creating a legacy here with this historic team. Doc will be returning at some point. Whether it's after one, two or three years. I'm not sure but if he leaves after winning a title to attend to family, when his kids move on Doc will get the coaching itch again and Boston is where he will want to be.

[celtics2]

As Marvelous Marv would say Yyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssss. We're gonna need someone to hold the team together while replenishing the talent. Besides he can stick it to Bird whom he has no real love for. He certainly would be an asset for our big men also.