Thought from a Doc fan.

[nickagneta]

I don't think its any secret that I have been a Doc fan and supporter of his since way before the Big Three came together. I remember defending Doc through all the 2006-7 season to anyone that would listen. I remembering arguing it wasn't his fault Danny was making him tank or that Tony Allen and Paul Pierce got injured or that Sebastian Telfair was going to be so bad or that his entire team was made up of a bunch of kids under 23 years old.

I remember praising him in 2007-08 for what he did to bring this club together and for what he meant to this club even though people were still lambasting him for his rotations and game decisions and substitution patterns. I remember wdleehi's sig with the "Coaching better than Doc, so easy even a caveman could do it" meme and defending Doc against that attitude that pervaded this site.

I remember that championship and the feeling it brought to this fanbase. And I remember Doc saying he would take that 2010 group against anyone and that the team was still a contender during the time they were going 26-26 in 2010. I remember Doc's talks in the huddles that propelled his team to so many comebacks. I remember Doc's confidence in player's like Rondo and Big Baby and Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger when others didn't. I remember Doc sticking up for his players and being the voice of reason so often when things seemed to be going nuts.

Unfortunately, sometimes the last thing people remember are the things that are most present. So people will remember this LA Clipper fiasco and Doc's comments about wanting to be here through a rebuild and all the other drama that ensued this week.

And they should. I'm not defending you anymore Doc. You aren't a Celtic anymore. What you did to this team over the last month plus is bush league and more in line with what I would expect from the spoiled players you coach, not from you. You put your Celtic legacy out there and if it comes back that it is severely tarnished, then you get what you deserve in my book.

Good luck in Clipperville, not.

[AB_Celtic]

I agree with you that it's bush league. The first half of your post seemed like it was going to be in defense of him, though!

[Ogaju]

WOW!!!!

That is kind of harsh from a Doc supporter. I never liked the guy, but I did not expect his supporters to find a lot wrong with his move.

WOW!!!

[Ogaju]

I agree with you that it's bush league. The first half of your post seemed like it was going to be in defense of him, though!

LOL TP, your post had me LOL for real.

[Casperian]

I believe you will change your stance some day, nick.

The Celtics are going in a different direction and Doc is just doing what´s best for him. He didn´t leave without making sure we got our piece of the pie

I can´t blame him.

[KG Living Legend]

 TP Nick right with ya as usual

[nickagneta]

I don't harbor bad feelings towards Doc. I am glad he was here when he was to give this team what it needed. But I think this whole affair was handled poorly and reflects poorly upon him. So whatever criticism he gets, he deserves and I am not going to defend him anymore. He's gone.

Business is business and he is gone but I didn't like the way this leaving business was handled and so, later Doc. You wear green no more.

[MaxAMillion]

I don't think its any secret that I have been a Doc fan and supporter of his since way before the Big Three came together. I remember defending Doc through all the 2006-7 season to anyone that would listen. I remembering arguing it wasn't his fault Danny was making him tank or that Tony Allen and Paul Pierce got injured or that Sebastian Telfair was going to be so bad or that his entire team was made up of a bunch of kids under 23 years old.

I remember praising him in 2007-08 for what he did to bring this club together and for what he meant to this club even though people were still lambasting him for his rotations and game decisions and substitution patterns. I remember wdleehi's sig with the "Coaching better than Doc, so easy even a caveman could do it" meme and defending Doc against that attitude that pervaded this site.

I remember that championship and the feeling it brought to this fanbase. And I remember Doc saying he would take that 2010 group against anyone and that the team was still a contender during the time they were going 26-26 in 2010. I remember Doc's talks in the huddles that propelled his team to so many comebacks. I remember Doc's confidence in player's like Rondo and Big Baby and Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger when others didn't. I remember Doc sticking up for his players and being the voice of reason so often when things seemed to be going nuts.

Unfortunately, sometimes the last thing people remember are the things that are most present. So people will remember this LA Clipper fiasco and Doc's comments about wanting to be here through a rebuild and all the other drama that ensued this week.

And they should. I'm not defending you anymore Doc. You aren't a Celtic anymore. What you did to this team over the last month plus is bush league and more in line with what I would expect from the spoiled players you coach, not from you. You put your Celtic legacy out there and if it comes back that it is severely tarnished, then you get what you deserve in my book.

Good luck in Clipperville, not.

Doc didn't do anything to this team in the last month. The C's were dealing with a Clips organization that was trying to play hard ball. They also had the NBA step in and nix a potential deal. This trade could have been done weeks ago if the Clips had made the offer up front. Plus you will never convince me that ownership was looking forward to paying a coach $7 million per year to deal with a rebuilding team. I think this deal works out for both sides.

I am glad the team was able to get a first round pick out of dealing Doc. No coach on earth could lead this team to a title now. Time to trade KG and move on with things.

[Kane3387]

I appreciate doc and will miss him. I didn't like his actions this past month but he's earned one free pass in my book. I won't let this past month tarnish my view of him.

It's time to reboot and I think he needs to be in a winning situation to maximize his coaching talents. Not everyone can coach great players and manage egos but he can. If he has to go anywhere I'm glad it's the other la team.

Assuming we get proper compensation I hope pierce and kg join him. I hope the lakers and their fan base have to watch the other la team win a title with a roster stacked full of their Boston Celtic enemies!

[Celtics4ever]

Doc is one of the best come from behind, never give up rally guys I have ever seen.   I wish him well unless he is playing us.

[Mazingerz]

But his coaching at times did come from his behind. Small ball yuck

[LarBrd33]

Doc was and is a phenomenal coach.  Players love playing for him.  He's one of the best in the league. 

Boston wants to tank.  We aren't interested in being a mediocre playoff team anymore.  Danny found a team for Doc to coach that actually will be trying to win games.  I'll miss Doc.  This is a good situation for him... he'll get to coach a vastly superior point guard.  It should serve him well.  And who knows... maybe down the line in 5-20 years if we're relevant again, we can hire him back.

[Onslaught]

Do any of us really know what Doc's "actions" the last month really are? I mean REALLY are? We've seen all kinds of BS on ESPN and other places but I'm almost sure that we don't have the whole story. I'll hold off on my judgment on Doc or the Celtics until we know everything that was said and done.

[JSD]

Great and thoughtful post, Nick.

Thank you Doc Rivers for all those years of diligent work. You were a strong voice behind some of the greatest Celtic teams I have ever seen. Good luck in LA against everyone but our Celtics!

[vinnie]

Doc Jackson?