Could Bird or Mchale coach the Celtics next year?

[steve]

If we win the championship and Doc leaves as coach... I'm guessing Lawrence Frank would be our next head coach BUT is it at all possible that McHale or Bird steps in?

Both guys have not won anything in a while.
Celtics are notorious for having past celtics coach.
It's a veteran team.
It would be awesome. 


 

[Spilling Green Dye]

TP for the first very interesting topic I've seen here in a week or so. 

I'd love to see McHale or Bird instead of Frank, but I have a feeling Doc will be back next year... especially if the Celtics look as strong in the offseason as they do now.  And it would make sense for Doc to finish out his coaching career with these players. 

McHale & Bird would also be unlikely to step into coaching an "in development" team, which sadly this Celtics team will kind of be 1.5 years from now.

Still, my money is on Doc coming back.

[the_Bird]

Bird isn't coaching again.  He's said all along that he's done coaching, he did it three years with some very well-regarded assistants doing much of the heavy lifting and he's been very clear he ain't doing it again.  I doubt he does back to Indiana (don't think they want him back), and when he's done he's going to (literally) go fishin'.

[greenpride32]

Yes I seem to recall Bird saying several times he was not interested in coaching again.  Also, while he's a legend here and would never have to pay for a meal or beer, I just don't think Boston is his kind of town.

[The DarkPassenger]

Good topic. I'd love to have either but unfortunately Bird said he won't coach again so that could be out. Plus I heard he might retire altogether so who knows. McHale would interest me... he was rumored to be a candidate Danny would have looked at if Rivers didn't return. It depends on Doc coming back and how Frank works out. Franks not doing bad at all so who knows.

[Who]

I think Doc Rivers stays on as head coach.

I don't think he'll leave until this core is broken up. He'll want to finish the job he started + the journey he took with these guys.

[Jon]

I think Doc Rivers stays on as head coach.

I don't think he'll leave until this core is broken up. He'll want to finish the job he started + the journey he took with these guys.

I agree.  Doc doesn't step down until the Big Three are gone.  And I don't buy this "family" thing from him either.  Not to knock Doc, but if being around his family was so darn important, he probably should've stepped down from coaching while his kids were actually still in the house. 

[xmuscularghandix]

Doc Rivers or bust, Rondo needs him there for his continued development.

But if no Doc, I'd rather McHale or Bird.

[CNYCeltsfan]

Larry Bird aint walking through that door.

I love Bird, he is why I became a Celtic fan, read all his books, have some memoribilia of him.  But he has made it quite clear he wants to be part of the pacers and his post playing career is most associated over there.  If he steps down/fired I doubt he even seeks to come here (and frankly I am not sure he is the right fit personality wise with tyhis veteran team).

IMO Doc stays as long as the big three are relevant, and the big three are relevant as long as doc stays.  Once Doc goes the three will be broken up and the team molded around Rondo with Frank helming us in the rebuild. 

I would not want McHale anywhere near the team.  I thank him for his service, not only on the court, but in the rape job Ainge did of him to get Garnett, but I dont think he has any skill as a coach.

[celtics2]

I wouldn't mind McHale but not Bird. Love Larry for his contributions but he feels Management didn't treat him kindly after retirement. It's been sour grapes since then. Bird would be better suited in Management.

I actually would like to see an outsider come in. Much easier to fire. Not impressed with player's coaches.  Doc got lucky being a so called players coach. Without the big 3 he'd be about the 500% coach he was.

[the_Bird]

At this point, why do people assume Doc's going to leave?  His kid's going to college next year, if he was taking time off to be with his family it would have been this season.  The squad will still be a title contender next season.

I'm not even sure why we assume Doc leaves when the Big 3 are gone.  Do we think he's going to do the Phil Jackson and only coach well-established, veteran teams?  Danny seemed to think he did OK with the kidlings back a few seasons ago.  Pierce and Rondo are still going to be around for a while, so I'm not sure that there's a complete rebuild in the works even after KG and Ray step aside. 

McHale would be interesting, but unless Doc's looking just to take a break I don't see him stepping aside. 

[shookones99]

I think Doc Rivers stays on as head coach.

I don't think he'll leave until this core is broken up. He'll want to finish the job he started + the journey he took with these guys.

I agree.  Doc doesn't step down until the Big Three are gone.  And I don't buy this "family" thing from him either.  Not to knock Doc, but if being around his family was so darn important, he probably should've stepped down from coaching while his kids were actually still in the house. 

Right?   His kids are like.....not even kids anymore.

[housecall]

I think Doc Rivers stays on as head coach.

I don't think he'll leave until this core is broken up. He'll want to finish the job he started + the journey he took with these guys.

I agree.  Doc doesn't step down until the Big Three are gone.  And I don't buy this "family" thing from him either.  Not to knock Doc, but if being around his family was so darn important, he probably should've stepped down from coaching while his kids were actually still in the house. 

TP,The formative years when you're missed or needed the most,not the post high school ones.Doc missed the developing stages to coach at a high level.It was his choice and his family obviously agreed to it.

[housecall]

I wouldn't want either to be head coach...its not the place to apply sentimenal reasons to a job but the right person qualified.Neither Bird or McHale has proven to me in the past they are top flight coaches.

[Sizzlack]

I wouldn't want either to be head coach...its not the place to apply sentimenal reasons to a job but the right person qualified.Neither Bird or McHale has proven to me in the past they are top flight coaches.

Really dude? Bird did an awesome job in Indiana, and wont Coach of the year once. So... ya.

Ron Artest single handedly torpedoed that franchise, it was no fault of Bird's.

he's a great coach. McHale the jury's still out on obviously, but I think he could be good.