Celtics Award Rivers 5-Year Extension

Added on May 13, 2011 by Scott in

NBA

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers is probably still depressed over losing to the Heat, but at least he doesn’t have to worry about his future in Boston. The Celtics and Rivers have agreed to a 5-year contract extension that will reportedly pay him $35 million. After nearly walking away from the game a year ago, Rivers wasted little time inking a new deal this time around.

Since moving to Beantown in 2004, Rivers has accumulated a 336-238 record. He has advanced his team to the playoffs in five of seven seasons, including a pair of trips to the NBA Finals. Boston’s 2008 championship was the franchise’s 17th and first since the 1985-86 season.

It had been rumored that Rivers might walk away this year in order to spend more time with his family, specifically his son Austin, who will play for Coach K at Duke beginning in the fall. Although, if Austin lives up to his top recruit in America billing, chances are he will be one-and-done at Duke just like last year’s freshman sensation, Kyrie Irving.

The other potential blockade for Rivers returning was the Celtics advancing age. The core of the team, Garnett, Pierce and Allen, are all in the their mid-30s and all three showed signs of breaking down in 2011. It will difficult to match their recent success, especially with younger, more athletic rivals in Miami, Chicago and Atlanta asserting themselves in the Eastern Conference.

It’s unlikely either ONeal, Shaquille and Jermaine, will be back, which will leave Boston thin up front. Glen Davis is a solid reserve, but it remains to be seen whether he can be a full-time starter. Rajon Rondo is a rising star, but he lacks the offensive skills of a Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook. Beyond that, the cupboard is pretty bare.

Rivers is a good coach who has had the luxury of leading a roster packed with talent. With the bulk of that talent past their prime, Rivers will face a whole new set of challenges over the next five years, if he lasts that long.

Source: CBSSports.com