VIDEO: Boston Celtics give Doc Rivers warm welcome back into the Garden
Dec 11, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers watches a video presentation about his career with the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Doc Rivers, who coached the Boston Celtics from 2004 through 2013, returned to the Boston Garden for the first time since he was basically traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Emotions were expected, but you never how much it’s going to hit you until you’re in the moment.
The Boston Celtics did their part in welcoming Rivers with an incredible video compilation of his nine seasons with the team. I’m not even a Celtics fan, and it almost brought me to tears — you can only imagine what Doc was going through.
Shortly after, during introductions, came the best part of it all:
Doc looks as if he is fighting off tears. He admitted he would get emotional #celtics #clippers
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) December 12, 2013
During those nine seasons, Rivers won an NBA title with the C’s in 2008 and reached the NBA Finals in 2010. He also earned the opportunity to coach the Eastern Conference All-Star team during the 2008 and 2011 campaigns.
Even though Rivers was criticized for “forcing” his way out of Boston, or “walking away” from a rebuilding Celtics team, it’s great to see the C’s fans pay tribute to Rivers.
Classy move, Boston.