Doc Rivers

Description

Biography

Playing career

Rivers was a McDonald’s All-American for Proviso East High School in the Chicago metropolitan area.^[1] After his third season at Marquette University, Rivers was drafted in the second round (31st overall^[2]) of the 1983 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He graduated from Marquette while completing course work as an NBA player. He spent the next seven seasons as a starter and averaged a double-double for the 1986–87 season with 12.8 points and 10.0 assists per game. Rivers later spent one year as a starter for the Los Angeles Clippers and two more for the New York Knicks, before finishing his career as a player for the San Antonio Spurs from 1994 to 1996.

Coaching career

Orlando Magic (1999–2003)

Rivers began his coaching career with the Orlando Magic in 1999, where he coached for more than four NBA seasons. Rivers won the Coach of the Year award in 2000 after his first year with the Magic.

Boston Celtics (2004–2013)

After spending a year working as a commentator for the NBA on ABC  Rivers took over the Boston Celtics coaching position in 2004. On June 17, 2008, Rivers won his first NBA Championship as a head coach after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.^[4]

Rivers led the Celtics to the 2010 NBA Finals where they once again faced the Los Angeles Lakers and lost the series in seven games.

Los Angeles Clippers (2013–present)[edit]

On June 25, 2013, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Rivers from the Celtics. He also became the senior vice president of basketball operations on the team.^[9] In his first season as their head coach, Rivers led the Clippers to a franchise-record 57 wins, garnering the 3rd seed in the Western conference.

On January 16, 2015, Rivers became the first NBA coach to coach his own son, Austin Rivers.