Doc River's last season as head coach? (ESPN rumor page)

[Vermont Green]

Wow, Doc putting that out there at this particular point in the season is really a surprise.  It is probably very telling of something but hard to say what.  I couldn't have been all that much fun coaching this team this year.  It is obvious that the team is not fighting like most Doc teams have (even the really bad ones).

I don't think this has been a very fun year for the players either in particular KG.  I almost hate to say it but do you really think KG is going to limp through another year on a mediocre team?  I believe there is a possibility that if that is what he faces, then he will retire.

Now worst case next year we have no Doc and no KG so then what does PP do?

[the_Bird]

If KG retires, I think Danny takes Pierce aside and tells him that he should probably opt-out.  It's going to be a complete rebuild.

PP could get himself one last real nice payday this summer; he's not a max guy, but he could be looking at something like 3 year/$40M.  Now, it might not be in PP's best interest to DO that, since the 2011 season's most likely going to be washed out (so take as much as you can in '10 - '11).  But, he could get himself paid and play for a team that'll have a better chance of contending.  We'll throw his a going away party and cheer for him whenever he comes back, but PP's not going to want to stick around for another complete rebuild.

I don't see KG retiring, though; that's WAY too much money to walk away from, and he's not going to want to retire on this note.

[MetroGlobe]

I don't think this has been a very fun year for the players either in particular KG.  I almost hate to say it but do you really think KG is going to limp through another year on a mediocre team?  I believe there is a possibility that if that is what he faces, then he will retire.

I think this is absolutely a possibility.  I also think it won't depend on Doc as much as the performance of the team as a whole in the playoffs.  If they play as hard as they can and just lose to a clearly superior team (like last year vs Orl), then I think Kevin will retire.  But if he feels like the team really is a legitimate, perennial contender, and they only missed another trophy by a few ball bounces here and there, then I think he'll play one more year.  Otherwise I think he's going to hang 'em up.

I've been saying this in other threads for months.  Mostly followed by the sound of chirping crickets.  But I honestly believe this is a somewhat likely outcome.  The question then is, what are the cap implications?  Roy?

[Mr October]

I don't think this has been a very fun year for the players either in particular KG.  I almost hate to say it but do you really think KG is going to limp through another year on a mediocre team?  I believe there is a possibility that if that is what he faces, then he will retire.

I think this is absolutely a possibility.  I also think it won't depend on Doc as much as the performance of the team as a whole in the playoffs.  If they play as hard as they can and just lose to a clearly superior team (like last year vs Orl), then I think Kevin will retire.  But if he feels like the team really is a legitimate, perennial contender, and they only missed another trophy by a few ball bounces here and there, then I think he'll play one more year.  Otherwise I think he's going to hang 'em up.

I've been saying this in other threads for months.  Mostly followed by the sound of chirping crickets.  But I honestly believe this is a somewhat likely outcome.  The question then is, what are the cap implications?  Roy?

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q54

"Any money paid to a player is included in team salary, even if the player is no longer playing or has retired."

I would guess KG wouldn't volunteer to give up the remaining 2 years of pay. And if the Celtics are paying him, they'll want to play him.

[Potapenko Boxout]

Doc i'll drive you to the airport

[Redz]

I don't think this has been a very fun year for the players either in particular KG.  I almost hate to say it but do you really think KG is going to limp through another year on a mediocre team?  I believe there is a possibility that if that is what he faces, then he will retire.

I think this is absolutely a possibility.  I also think it won't depend on Doc as much as the performance of the team as a whole in the playoffs.  If they play as hard as they can and just lose to a clearly superior team (like last year vs Orl), then I think Kevin will retire.  But if he feels like the team really is a legitimate, perennial contender, and they only missed another trophy by a few ball bounces here and there, then I think he'll play one more year.  Otherwise I think he's going to hang 'em up.

I've been saying this in other threads for months.  Mostly followed by the sound of chirping crickets.  But I honestly believe this is a somewhat likely outcome.  The question then is, what are the cap implications?  Roy?

Can't see KG leaving 20 million dollars on the table.

[celticinorlando]

we could only hope that KG retires

[Meadowlark_Scal]

I really don't think it is a surprise....i think he should go out with a shoe in his......! Did you hear his post game, no big deal, we lost again, ya 6 out of 9 last games were losses, no big deal......what does anyone see in him...? The only way it could be worse, is if the next coach is worse..!

[PosImpos]

Doc or no Doc, next year is going to be rough for the Celtics.

I'll be happy if they win 45 games.

[Rondo_is_better]

Well...

it seems like it might be time for some sort of revitalization.

[2short]

I don't think this has been a very fun year for the players either in particular KG.  I almost hate to say it but do you really think KG is going to limp through another year on a mediocre team?  I believe there is a possibility that if that is what he faces, then he will retire.

I think this is absolutely a possibility.  I also think it won't depend on Doc as much as the performance of the team as a whole in the playoffs.  If they play as hard as they can and just lose to a clearly superior team (like last year vs Orl), then I think Kevin will retire.  But if he feels like the team really is a legitimate, perennial contender, and they only missed another trophy by a few ball bounces here and there, then I think he'll play one more year.  Otherwise I think he's going to hang 'em up.

I've been saying this in other threads for months.  Mostly followed by the sound of chirping crickets.  But I honestly believe this is a somewhat likely outcome.  The question then is, what are the cap implications?  Roy?

actually from the stand point of being injured in a career the biggest thing is coming back and at least playing at the level you expect YOURSELF to play at, its not money, fans or fame its your own self esteem and to a point your teammates, so kg will have something to prove to himself and the fire in him is rare so i don't expect him to retire unless the injury is much much worse than we've been told

[guava_wrench]

Doc might as well take a few years off, enjoy and enjoy his kids. After college, his kids won't be around so much. He will have many years to get back into the grind. There will be a lot of stress next season.

[CoachBo]

I agree with you on everything except I would like Thibs as a coach. JVG would be my first choice though, and Larry Brown would be my second.

I'd like to see Thibs coach, but if players on this team have tuned out Doc, then there is no way they will listen to Thibs. This group may need a new face.

I'd want Thibs to coach if they plan on blowing this group up and starting fresh with Rondo, Perk, Baby, and TA

Fresh isn't the word I'd use for that group.

Ripe would be more like it.

Hello, 25 wins.

[cornbreadsmart]

I think Kevin McHale would be a good coach for next year.

[FatjohnReturns]

Doc would be smart to quit before he gets attached to the coaching carousel that is a rebuilding team.  He hasn't enjoyed the prolonged excellence that eventually Poppovich, Sloan and Jackson coaching immunity, so his now sterling reputation could take a big hit if the C's continue their steep decline into the next two years.

If he does go, Danny should court Larry Brown hard.  This is a perfect team for Larry to coach: it's disjointed and disorganized, but still talented.  Larry's got the presence to replace some of the leadership void that has been widening since KG lost his hold of the team. 

My thoughts exactly tp. Doc brought us a title so i will always be thankfull. Its better for him  to go before things get ulgy next year if we have the same problems.