Rivers was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday night, and he had a great message for the "Big 3" of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
On Saturday night, former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
A head coach for 27 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, Rivers spent nine years with the Celtics, leading Boston to the NBA title in 2007-08.
While talking about his time in Boston, Rivers spoke passionately about the synergy within the organization at that time, and he looked directly at Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, thanking the "Big 3" for helping lead a championship core full of elite characters.
In his nine years with the Celtics, Rivers posted a .577 winning percentage. He won the one title and took the Celtics to the playoffs seven times in nine years. The "Big 3" helped usher in an entire new era of the NBA in which teams worked to create their own "Big 3" to combat what Boston did.
The LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade-led Miami Heat doesn't happen if not for Boston, and Kevin Durant eventually linking up with the Golden State Warriors probably doesn't either.
Rivers' record year-by-year in Boston
2004-05: 45-37, lost in first round of playoffs
2005-06: 33-49, missed playoffs
2006-07: 24-58, missed playoffs
2007-08: 66-16, won NBA title
2008-09: 62-20, advanced to Eastern Conference Finals
2009-10: 50-32, advanced to NBA Finals
2010-11: 56-26, lost in second round
2011-12: 39-27: lost in Eastern Conference Finals
2012-13: 41-40, lost in first round
Class of 2026 inductee Doc Rivers speaks during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Symphony Hall Springfield. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesWhat's next for Rivers?
Now 64 years old, it's certainly possible that Rivers is done coaching after 27 years, but you never know if someone else will give him a chance. He just coached the Milwaukee Bucks for three seasons, finishing under .500 in them.
As for his legacy with the Celtics? That's completely set. That 2007-08 team will forever be remembered for its title run and for the impact it had on the NBA as a whole. Each of Rivers, Allen, Garnett and Pierce are now Hall of Famers.
Elsewhere for the Celtics
The NBA schedule was just released on Thursday, and the Celtics have been given 27 primetime games, including Christmas Day against the Miami Heat. Boston went 56-26 last season and finished second in the Eastern Conference.
NBA training camp starts in September and the preseason calendar begins in early October. You can check out the full slate of preseason action here.
