Mike Gorman on Doc Rivers: I would take him back in a heartbeat
The Boston Celtics suffered an embarrassing Game 3 loss to the Miami Heat Sunday night. If the Celtics get swept, could big changes be in store? On Monday’s Toucher &…
Doc Rivers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)The Boston Celtics suffered an embarrassing Game 3 loss to the Miami Heat Sunday night. If the Celtics get swept, could big changes be in store?
On Monday's Toucher & Rich program, Mike Gorman of NBC Sports Boston joins the show to brainstorm potential coaching replacements for Joe Mazzulla.
Parts of conversation are abbreviated for clarity.
Boston Celtics play-by-play commentator Mike Gorman (AP Photo) SOURCE: Elise Amendola
Rich: I don't think Mazzulla has done anything to earn the right to be the coach here again next season.
Mike Gorman: Yeah, that's a pretty rough statement on your part, but someone will take a fall for this. Somebody always does. I suppose Mazzulla is probably the most likely target. What do you do with Joe? I mean, you just signed him to a multi-year deal.
Rich: Yeah, but you've got to eat that money if you're the Celtics. I can't think it was for a ton of money. And you now have two coaches who have won a championship within the last five years who are suddenly available.
And, if you want to count Doc [Rivers] as a championship coach, he's available too. But I don't think anyone wants him back.
Mike Gorman: Oh, I'd take him back in a heartbeat.
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MAY 30: Head coach Doc Rivers and Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after defeating the Detroit Pistons to advance to the NBA Finals in Game Six of the Eastern Conference finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at the Palace of Auburn Hills on May 30, 2008 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Rich: You'd take back Doc Rivers?
Mike Gorman: Oh, sure. Why not? He knows how to get along with players.
Rich: Yeah but look what that got him in in Philly.
Mike Gorman: Philly's general manager gave him James Harden, who won't win you any titles. And a center in Embiid who really can't dominate. He only seems to dominate when he feels like it.
Rich, who would you hire? Nick Nurse might be a good guy.
Rich: I think Mike Budenholzer is a good guy. I like Nick Nurse, too.
Sep 9, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse reacts in the second half against the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Rich: That's actually a good question for you. If you had to choose between the remaining coaches, who do you think would find the most success with this Celtics roster?
Mike Gorman: Probably [Monty] Williams.
Rich: Wow. Really?
Mike Gorman: If you're looking to identify with the players, then he's a young-speaking guy.
I don't know. If not Williams, then maybe I would take Nick Nurse.
Full Segment
Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.
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