Doc Rivers vs Bill Simmons... Doc calls Simmons "an idiot"

[lightspeed5]

Bill Simmons just called out Doc Rivers about quitting on Celtics. Doc responds by essentially calling him an idiot. Very awkward

[RJ87]

Such an awkward moment, but I agree with Simmons - Doc just needs to own up and admit he wasn't up for rebuilding. I think I'd respect him more if he just kept it honest and candid.

[timobusa]

Doc should own up to what he did.
He quit the Celtics, he did not want to rebuild.
He quit on KG, he quit on PP, he quit on Rondo.


He acts like he gave us a 1st round draft pick, that pick will probably be in the 20- 27 area when its all said and done.
Thats probably gonna get us another Fab Melo.


I'm with Simmons on this one.

[gpap]

I think Bill Simmons is an idiot!

Ever listen to him? He sucks and I am not just talking about his opinion on the Doc situation.

[ScottHow]

Great exchange, truth hurts doc

[Chief Macho]

where did this happen?

[Kuberski33]

http://www.sbnation.com/2013/6/28/4473148/doc-rivers-on-bill-simmons-i-would-like-to-call-him-an-idiot-but-im

It's probably going to help shorten Simmons TV career, but it was great.  Simmons was right.  I don't disrespect Doc for his decision, but own up to it.

[Chief Macho]

thanks for the clip.


doc seems to be imply that there is more to the story. i would assume that to mean he's saying the celtics were going to force him out, or they did not want doc as the coach at his salary, and the team was going to cut ties with him in one way or another.   if not,  he did quit.

[LEHGOCELTICS]

Bill Simmons is the man. Always unafraid to speak what's on his mind, unlike the other fragile and impressionable media hacks out there. Amen to Bill.

[rondoallaturca]

I've always like Bill Simmons. He makes a few bold predictions here and there, but he always owns up for it and eats crow if he's wrong. Regardless, he speaks his mind and opinion, and oftentimes he has a very shrewd insight on Celtics matters. And I'm glad he sees that the Brooklyn trade is an absolute travesty.

[syfy9]

Love Bill Simmons. I read his book, "The Book of Basketball". Great read, and I recommend it. He's an obvious die hard Celtics fan. He's also really innovative, but to no extent (he once suggested a 4 or 5 point play from half-court??? wow).

[Kuberski33]

doc seems to be imply that there is more to the story. i would assume that to mean he's saying the celtics were going to force him out, or they did not want doc as the coach at his salary, and the team was going to cut ties with him in one way or another.   if not,  he did quit.

Simmons has a source with the Celtics.  And he has said all along that ownership didn't want him back once it was apparent he wasn't all in on the rebuild - especially if he was going to cost $7 million a year. 

He's also said (I believe) that ownership wasn't thrilled that Doc had promised to move to Boston after signing his extension, then did not.

[LarBrd33]

I argued this a couple days ago and now that I have evidence to back it up, it's going to be hard for people to disagree with me here....

Clearly Ainge was ready to blow up team, collect draft picks and assets and tank for the 2014 draft.

Evidence: We just traded KG and Pierce for 3 first rounders ... so stop ignoring this fact


Clearly Doc didn't want to go through another rebuild that will take 3-5 years.  Last time we went through this, Doc played the part of "company man", intentionally throwing games late by benching players with high IQ and "developing" young players in crunch time. 

Evidence:  Ryan Gomes admits it in 2007 http://www.celticsblog.com/2007/4/14/642364/tanks-for-the-memories

Also note there had been quotes from Pierce who claimed he would have played more that season had the team had something to play for, but there was no sense playing hurt when they were in that situation.

...

Clearly Boston didn't want to pay 8 million a year for a guy to babysit a tanking team. 

Evidence:  http://www.celticsblog.com/2013/6/26/4468530/sis-ian-thomsen-says-celtics-interested-in-spurs-assistant-brett-brown  ... We're looking for someone cheap

...

So... Ainge and Doc found a situation that worked well for both parties.  Danny gets an unprotected 2015 1st rounder for the coach (the biggest return ever for a coach), Doc gets to go coach the best point guard alive on a contender.  It's a win-win scenario.  No hard feelings.  Maybe in 3-5 years we can bring Doc back as head coach.   

Simmons should know better.  He's in denial.  Fans who argued with me two days ago were in denial.  The proof is right in front of your face.  We're tanking.  No need for Doc at this stage.  I wish him the best of luck on the Clippers. 

Once again... everyone with rustled jimmies just needs to watch this video on loop and cry it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w6m-nhUcos

[D.o.s.]

I certainly hope it shortens his television career.

I like Simmons, he's done a great job poaching solid writers for Grantland and he's still capable of a great NBA column about once or twice a season, but I don't dig him on television.

[action781]

I certainly hope it shortens his television career.

I like Simmons, he's done a great job poaching solid writers for Grantland and he's still capable of a great NBA column about once or twice a season, but I don't dig him on television.

Same.  He's very clever when he gets to think about and reword his ideas, but he's not very good at delivering them on the spot.  What you can tell are potentially witty ideas come out very awkardly.