Would Doc Coach the Lakers?

[footey]

Hypothetical: Phil Jackson retires (pretty much already did), Doc's contract expires at the end of this season, and Danny cannot talk him into returning, which seems pretty much what will happen whether or not we win 18.  What if the Lakers went full bore and made a ridiculously incredible offer to Doc? You and I know that Kobe would do everything in his power to get a guy like Doc.  He knows that it would take a coach like Doc to get them back on the championship track. Brian Shaw may be a nice guy, but Buss would much rather have a proven guy like Doc, with gravitas.  I know that everyone has spoken of the possibility of Doc going to the Heat eventually, but I would not be surprised to see this play out. It would kill me, but could see it happening.

[PosImpos]

Nah, I doubt it.  It wouldn't entirely shock me if he ended up coaching the Heat, though. 

[the_Bird]

If they decide to begin rebuilding this summer, I'm pretty sure Doc will be joining Phil in Montana (so to speak).  He'll take a year off, we'll see him at every Duke game, and he'll come back to the league in twelve months.  I don't see him coaching anywhere other than Boston next season, but wouldn't rule anything out after that.

[Roy H.]

I don't think so.  I don't think Doc would slap the franchise in the face like that.  Perhaps more importantly, coaching LA would take him even farther away from his family and his son's college career, which is very important to Doc.

I think Doc's choices right now are come back and coach the Celtics, or retire from coaching (at least for the time being).

[GreenFaith1819]

Noooooooo...

[Donoghus]

No way. 

I think he's too respectful of the Celtics organization to do something like coaching the Lakers which would, essentially, ruin the goodwill he has with the Celtics.

[Mr October]

Nah, I doubt it.  It wouldn't entirely shock me if he ended up coaching the Heat, though. 

Agreed.

[SHAQATTACK]

Lord I hope not, why would he . I give Doc Rivers more credit than that.

[Who]

If Doc leaves the Celtics, I don't see him coaching anywhere else next season. He'll take a year off and then resume coaching after that.

All that said, I don't expect Doc to leave Boston this year. Unfinished business. He'll be here as long as the Big Three are here.

I do think Doc would strongly consider joining the Lakers in the future. Not immediately. But in the future should the right opportunity present itself (title shot).

[tgreanier]

Did Stuart Scott post this?

[j804]

I doubt it I know it doesn't mean much but his daughter doesn't even like LA 

[xmuscularghandix]

If Doc leaves after this season, then takes next year off, why would he want to coach The Lakers? In the shadow of the 2nd best coach ever, with a 34 year old star making nearly 40% of the teams total salary... oh and by the way you'd be p---ing off all Celtics fans who would have gladly accepted you as their coach as long as you were willing...

I really can't see why he would do it.

[Marcus13]

I think he's much more likely to coach Miami than LA

In the grand scheme of things, this one playoff series isn't really going to make us "rivals" with the Heat

[footey]

oh and by the way you'd be p---ing off all Celtics fans who would have gladly accepted you as their coach as long as you were willing...

I really can't see why he would do it.

Coaches and players don't have the same loyalty to teams as fans. Ask Johnny Damon, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Shaquille O'Neal.  So while Doc may be disinclined for family reasons, I don't think the loyalty card counts for as much as we give it credit.  

[nickagneta]

I could see Doc coming back to coach his son....wherever he ends up in the pros, but not LA which last I checked was 3000 miles from his home. I could see him in Orlando again or Miami, but not anywhere west of the Mississippi.