Over the past 2 weeks we’ve heard Doc Rivers was going to the Clippers, then he wasn’t going, then finally the deal was sealed.  Doc is leaving the East Coast for the West Coast.  He is going from a team that is just starting the rebuilding process after it traded away 2/3 of its “Big Three,” to a place where he can turn them into a legitimate title contender. The fans of the Boston Celtics, especially Bill Simmons have recently been steaming over the fact that Doc just “quit” on his team.  But the question is, did he quit? Was he kindly forced out? One thing is for sure, we do not know all the things that happen behind the curtain.

  

 Of course Boston Celtic fans have all reason to be upset. That team had maybe just next season to possibly make a fluke run one last time.  Rajon Rondo would be coming back after tearing his ACL, and once again the team would be back at full strength to do some damage.  But if I am a Celtic’s fan, I would be elated with what’s going on. Realistically, even with all their players healthy, this team was MAYBE, MAYBE going to be the 5th best team next season. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, are going to be making a total of $26, 865,802. That’s a little less than half of next year’s salary cap, for two players past their prime.  It’s time to let go and look forward to the future.

  

 The rebuilding process had to start sometime in Boston, and they were smart to get started early. Arguably, the 2013 NBA draft was one of the weakest drafts in recent memories. However, the 2014 draft is shaping up to be quite a doozy. With players like Andrew Wiggins, and Marcus Smart possibly in the draft next year, I would want to be in the lottery if I’m the Celtics.  Also, I don’t want to be paying a coach $7 million a year to lose. (That’s right Mr.Simmons, Doc was smart to leave, and the Celtics were smart to let him go.) I had originally questioned whether Doc quit on his team, however I now realize Danny Ainge and the Celtics ownership basically conceded the fact that they weren’t doing any damage next year. They waved the white flag early and with pride I must say, and started the process by trading Doc. The next logical move was to get salary off the books and acquire any assets. They did Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce right by trading them to a potential contender (albeit one within the division), but at the same time acquiring a decent haul. How much better of an offer where they going to get anyway?

    

Both the Celtics organization and Doc Rivers, ended up in the perfect situations. The Celtics are going to be able to start rebuilding, and possibly really quickly if they can land a high pick next year. Can you imagine a team built around Andrew Wiggins, and Rajon Rondo? Scary Thought. And if Vinny Del Negro was able to get the Clippers to the playoffs, imagine how much better Doc Rivers can do with this team. Like I mentioned, I initiated questioned Doc’s motives for leaving the team, and if he was the Lebron James of coaches. I now realize this was a mutual understanding between the franchise and the coach. On the other hand what Lebron did, well….let’s not go there again...

 

And for those of you who don’t know who this Andrew Wiggins kid is..ENJOY:

 

 

 

By: Omar Dyara

07/01/13