As Celtics near end of era, Rivers best served to leave now!

[Roy H.]

I expect he'll leave.  I think he loves coaching, but he also misses his family.  He's had enough success to the point where he knows that if he leaves, there will always be a job waiting somewhere.

I think he'll struggle with the decision, but ultimately, I think he'll move on.

[Dunn]

Organization would hate that, Doc is a huge draw for free agents. I hear KG, Paul, and Shaq highly endorse their reasons for being here specifically pointing to Doc. I resign him easily. You can remember when top players didn't wanna come here, now take your pick of Detroit Pistons who will beg to be coached by Doc. Just an example.

[kozlodoev]

I expect he'll leave.  I think he loves coaching, but he also misses his family.  He's had enough success to the point where he knows that if he leaves, there will always be a job waiting somewhere.

I think he'll struggle with the decision, but ultimately, I think he'll move on.

I wonder whether a lockout can be a win-win, where he can spend some extra time with his family, and still come back to coach a short season.

[aporel#18]

I think both Dybdal and Mr Banners are right. He's talking to his family and he's leaving for Austin's freshman year.

Austin might be one and done, but I guess Doc could be out of coaching for a couple of seasons, helping his kid to make transition. He probably will do some broadcasting while at it, and after that he'll go back to coaching.

By then, I'd say the Celtics are his #1 option, and it will depend on the Celtics coaching situation. If all the above is true, the Celtics need a HC next season. They could go with Frank, or they could go with another ex-player as a HC, with Frank and other high-character assistants. They could even hire Jerry Sloan, or another veteran if they win it all this year and they're going on a last dance with their veterans.

Next season (if there's a season) Danny will make big trades, or little trades, or prepare the team for a big FA signing in 2012 or 2013. Ray and KG could be back in limited roles for little money, or they could be gone at the previous trade deadline. Whatever route Danny chooses, in the summer of 2013 the Celtics will have a totally new lineup, and that's when Doc could be needed the most. By then, of course, the Celtics could have a successful coach and no need for a new one, but I find it hard to think Danny has not Doc included in his plans.

Doc is a true Celtic, he's friends with Danny, and he wouldn't go to be Pat Riley's pet. But if he wants to coach another team, I'm fine with it unless it's the Fakers.

[kozlodoev]

Garnett has already indicated he will retire when Doc leaves.

"I told [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge], the day y'all get rid of Doc, I'll tip my hat to the Boston area, the Boston fans.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4678511/doc-shoots-down-miami-rumors-again

[clover]

I expect he'll leave.  I think he loves coaching, but he also misses his family.  He's had enough success to the point where he knows that if he leaves, there will always be a job waiting somewhere.

I think he'll struggle with the decision, but ultimately, I think he'll move on.

I wonder whether a lockout can be a win-win, where he can spend some extra time with his family, and still come back to coach a short season.

I'm not sure having Dad quit to watch/help Austin would really be helpful.  Might put more pressure on the kid, who seems to be doing just fine as it is.  The summer off seems perfect.  And if Frank's still here, he could coach more games next year. 

But whatever Doc decides is fine with me.

[Tai]

I expect this will be Doc's last season with the Celtics.  His son starts at Duke and will most likely be a one and done player. 

Then I expect Doc to take over the Heat and win multiple championships.

Why would Doc want to rebuild again?  He would much rather watch his kid play for a year and then help the Heat win and be the savor of South Beach.

Uhhhhh...what? Assuming Doc even leaves the Celtics next season AND then for some reason goes to be the Heat's head coach, how do you figure Austin ends up on the Heat if he's really good enough to be in the NBA immediately after one year at Duke, and thus prolly a lottery pick for a...lottery team? Cause I doubt the Heat will be that, unless they have a 1st round pick from a bad team.

[Bahku]

Doc has already said in a recent interview that he will stay as long as Paul, KG and Ray are here ... to paraphrase, "When you have an opportunity to work with guys like that, you don't pass it up". This will not be his last season with the C's. (CSNNE, April 4th).