This discussion is best left for after the finals but I thought to begin the thread now and add at your convenience.
My gut is win or lose (and its win obviously) Doc may leave coaching to focus on his son's budding B-ball career which is fantastic, but who is the next coach that has the defensive pedigree, and the werewithal to manage the (aging) star power that Boston posesses going forward?
Now obviously the top choice for a replacement would be to promote Thibs, but it appears he is heading to New Orleans and when you make your name someplace sometimes its hard to step in and have the same success so NO might end up being a better fit for his first head coaching gig, he might be better suited for a tenure in Boston after he's cut his teeth somewhere else IMO. And as a first job having Chris Paul and James Posey's familiar mug is not a bad start and we luckily only have to see them and his defensive schemes put to use on us twice a year most likely.
Plus I don't really like the idea of a first timer with this squad which eliminates the interesting but untested candidates like Mark Jackson, Duane Casey etc.
My top choices go as follows
Jeff Van Gundy-smart guy undeniable defensive pedigree (Thibs came up under him as you know), knows how to coach veterans and young guys as well. I'll miss him commentating games but I think he's the best match out there not named Glenn Rivers.
Byron Scott-Yeah he's from Cali and he's a Laker but he's a very good and underrated coach with a commitment to defense. He's also a PG and knows how to coach talented headstron PG's, he coached Chris Paul and why not Rondo. If Bill Sharman (a Cali guy but bleeds green much like Pierce) can coach the Lakers why not.
After that to me the choices get murky. I think Avery Brooks would be a decent fit here (though it seems he's much closer to going to Atlanta) if for no other reason than he seems to do better coaching veterans than youngsters. Also has a decent defensive pedigree being with the Spurs for many years.
Like I said focusing on the Finals and Doc could decide to stay for all I know but anybody who wants to add to the wish list or their thoughts in their down time are free to do so.