Ex-Celtics coach Doc Rivers nominated for Basketball Corridor of Fame

Doc Rivers, who coached the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008, has been nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame.

Rivers made the playoffs in seven of his 9 seasons teaching the Celtics. He’s fourth on the all-time listing for playoff wins (113) amongst NBA coaches, trailing Phil Jackson (229), Pat Riley (171), and Gregg Popovich (170).

Rivers, who coaches the Bucks, is in his twenty sixth season as a coach. His different stops included Orlando, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He additionally performed 13 seasons within the NBA and was an All-Star in 1988.

This shall be Rivers’ first time on the Corridor-of-Fame poll. He joins a number of different coaches, together with Bulls coach Billy Donovan, on the listing of nominees.

“He’s been unimaginable as a participant,“ Donovan stated. “I bear in mind watching him when he performed at Marquette after which occurring enjoying for the Hawks, he had a fantastic enjoying profession. Successful a championship. He’s finished it at a excessive degree at plenty of totally different organizations. He’s had an unimaginable profession.

“I really feel actually lucky when he was in Orlando and I used to be at Florida, I recruited Austin [Rivers] and that’s form of the place our relationship began when Austin was youthful. So, I’ve recognized him for a very long time and simply admire the connection that he and I’ve developed through the years.”

The Bucks, at 14-11, are fifth within the Jap Convention standings. The Celtics have received all three matchups with the Bucks, together with a 111-105 victory at TD Backyard on Dec. 6.

Different notable nominees embrace Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, Sue Fowl, Maya Moore and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Finalists shall be introduced in San Francisco on Feb. 14, throughout All-Star Weekend. The Class of 2025 shall be introduced throughout the NCAA Match Closing 4 on April 5.

Enshrinement occasions are scheduled for Sept. 5 at Mohegan Solar in Connecticut and Sept. 6 on the Corridor of Fame in Springfield.

Horford’s longevity

Donovan didn’t land Austin Rivers at Florida, however he did get Al Horford, who helped the Gators win back-to-back nationwide titles in 2006 and 2007.

The Chicago coach stated he’s not stunned to see Horford nonetheless suiting up within the NBA in spite of everything these years.

“If you get round individuals, you perceive the aggressive character and integrity,” Donovan stated. “I feel the individuals in Chicago received an opportunity to see that with Joakim Noah. I feel individuals in Boston are attending to see that with Al.

“There’s a purpose that these guys had been part of two nationwide championships. They’re elite gamers. They had been unbelievable within the locker room. They’re nice winners, nice opponents, they usually each have that skill to actually transfer individuals in a constructive route.”

Donovan stated he tried to get Horford to hitch Oklahoma Metropolis when he was teaching the Thunder. Horford ended up with the Thunder the season after Donovan left earlier than the Celtics introduced him again.

“There was a purpose Brad [Stevens] introduced him again for a second stint after going to Philly,” Donovan stated. “It’s very, very clear to see. Pay attention, after I was at Oklahoma Metropolis we tried to get him to return there.

”So, you possibly can see his productiveness and what he’s finished in his profession however I don’t assume individuals get an opportunity to see what he does behind closed doorways and what he does with the gamers, and the relationships, and the way he will get guys to see the larger image.”

Damage replace

Kristaps Porzingis returned to motion Thursday night time after leaving Sunday’s recreation towards the Wizards early with heel ache.

Sam Hauser (again) and Xavier Tillman (non-COVID sickness) missed the sport towards Chicago.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla stated Hauser has been managing the lingering again problem effectively.

“He does a fantastic job taking good care of his physique,” Mazzulla stated. “Typically what he does within the weight room or the coaching room is simply as essential because the court docket. On the identical time, he’s a rhythm participant. He’s dealt with it effectively, going out and in, however on the finish of the day he does every thing he can to place himself ready to be accessible as a lot as he can.”