The Boston Celtics received good news Wednesday when coach Doc Rivers decided that he'll return for at least the remaining season on his contract."I'm coming back," Rivers said in a text message, according to The Boston Globe. "I want another crack at it with this group."
Rivers, who has coached Boston for six years and led the team to an NBA championship in 2008, drove the Celtics to the NBA Finals this past season, where they lost in seven games to the Los Angeles Lakers. After the playoffs ended, Rivers talked about taking a break from coaching in order to spend time with his family.
Rivers has two sons playing basketball in Jeremiah, a senior at Indiana, and Austin, a senior at Winter Park (Fla.) High and regarded as one of the best prep players in the nation.
"It's a tough one," Rivers said last week when asked about his coaching options. "It really is, and it's a serious one either way. So let's just wait, and we'll figure it out soon."
Although Boston general manager Danny Ainge did not publicly pressure Rivers to make a decision before the league's July 1 free-agency contact period begins at midnight, Rivers said it was important to him not to leave the Celtics in limbo.
"I don't think there's a better organization," Rivers told reporters on draft night. "That's something I've known pretty much for a while. You can't get this anywhere. Danny and I, our relationship ... he's my boss, but he's one of my best friends. When you look around the league, you don't see that. You don't see the two getting along. You don't see the two being able to fight and argue and then go golfing right afterward. That's a tough part of it."
With Rivers returning, the Celtics now seem to have a good chance of bringing back their core players. Even though forward Paul Pierce opted out of his $21.5 million contract for next season, many NBA experts believe that Pierce will likely sign a new deal with Boston, which also is expected to re-sign veteran shooting guard Ray Allen, who will become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
3 More Arrested In Brutal London Killing
Krugman: There's 'No Room For Independent Thinking' In The Conservative Movement
Marijuana Poll Finds Surprising Level Of Support
French Soldier Stabbed In The Neck In Paris
Spurs A Win Away From Finals
San Antonio Flooding Kills Woman
Teen Arrested Over Plot To Blow Up High School
WATCH: Journalist Slams Obama For 'Embrace Of Total Militarism'
Bombshell Report Alleges Toronto Mayor's Family Ties With Drug World
Happy Memorial Day! 1 In 4 U.S. Workers Get No Vacation, Report Finds
Report: Yahoo Is Bidding On Hulu
Syrian Forces And Hezbollah Launch Artillery Barrage On Key Town
Joe Arpaio Violated Latinos' Rights, Judge Rules
WATCH: Is This A Responsible Use Of Force?
Pharma Giant Accused Of Paying Doctors To Push Drug
Protesters 'March Against Monsanto' In 250 Cities
Friend Of London Attack Suspect Arrested After BBC Interview
LOOK: How Bad Are Your State's Bridges?
CNN Anchor Calls Obama Protester 'Rude' And 'Crazy'
West Shoots Down 'Doubt' About Reemergence
Marine Recruit's Letter Claims Boot Camp Instructors Hurl Anti-Gay Slurs
Abercrombie Announces Plummeting Sales Amid Controversy
LOOK: Why We Celebrate Memorial Day
Fox News Host's Outrageous Comment
Gay Soccer Player Returns To MLS
150 After Battle, Drummer To Recreate Reunion March
Female Suicide Bomber Injures 18 In Russian Region
Sectarian Violence Comes Back To Life In Iraq
Christopher Hayes: London Terror
