Ex-Celtics coach Doc Rivers nominated for Basketball Hall of Fame

Celtics

Doc Rivers helped the Celtics win an NBA title in 2008 and is fourth on the all-time list for playoff wins among NBA coaches.

By Khari Thompson, The Boston Globe

December 19, 2024

3 minutes to read

Doc Rivers, who coached the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008, has been nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Rivers made the playoffs in seven of his nine seasons coaching the Celtics. He is fourth on the all-time list for playoff wins (113) among NBA coaches, trailing Phil Jackson (229), Pat Riley (171), and Gregg Popovich (170).

Rivers, who coaches the Bucks, is in his 26th season as a coach. His other stops included Orlando, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He also played 13 seasons in the NBA and was an All-Star in 1988.

This will be Rivers’ first time on the Hall-of-Fame ballot. He joins several other coaches, including Bulls coach Billy Donovan, on the list of nominees.

“He’s been incredible as a player,“ Donovan said. “I remember watching him when he played at Marquette and then going on playing for the Hawks, he had a great playing career. Winning a championship. He’s done it at a high level at a lot of different organizations. He’s had an incredible career.

“I feel really fortunate when he was in Orlando and I was at Florida, I recruited Austin [Rivers] and that’s kind of where our relationship started when Austin was younger. So, I’ve known him for a long time and just appreciate the relationship that he and I have developed over the years.”

The Bucks, at 14-11, are fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics have won all three matchups with the Bucks, including a 111-105 victory at TD Garden on Dec. 6.

Other notable nominees include Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Finalists will be announced in San Francisco on Feb. 14, during All-Star Weekend. The Class of 2025 will be announced during the NCAA Tournament Final Four on April 5.

Enshrinement events are scheduled for Sept. 5 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and Sept. 6 at the Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Horford’s longevity

Donovan did not land Austin Rivers at Florida, but he did get Al Horford, who helped the Gators win back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

The Chicago coach said he is not surprised to see Horford still suiting up in the NBA after all these years.

“When you get around people, you understand the competitive character and integrity,” Donovan said. “I think the people in Chicago got a chance to see that with Joakim Noah. I think people in Boston are getting to see that with Al.

“There’s a reason that those guys were a part of two national championships. They’re elite players. They were unbelievable in the locker room. They’re great winners, great competitors, and they both have that ability to really move people in a positive direction.”

Donovan said he tried to get Horford to join Oklahoma City when he was coaching the Thunder. Horford ended up with the Thunder the season after Donovan left before the Celtics brought him back.

“There was a reason Brad [Stevens] brought him back for a second stint after going to Philly,” Donovan said. “It’s very, very clear to see. Listen, when I was at Oklahoma City we tried to get him to come there.

”So, you can see his productivity and what he’s done in his career but I don’t think people get a chance to see what he does behind closed doors and what he does with the players, and the relationships, and how he gets guys to see the bigger picture.”

Injury update

Kristaps Porzingis returned to action Thursday night after leaving Sunday’s game against the Wizards early with heel pain.

Sam Hauser (back) and Xavier Tillman (non-COVID illness) missed the game against Chicago.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Hauser has been managing the lingering back issue well.

“He does a great job taking care of his body,” Mazzulla said. “Sometimes what he does in the weight room or the training room is just as important as the court. At the same time, he is a rhythm player. He’s handled it well, going in and out, but at the end of the day he does everything he can to put himself in a position to be available as much as he can.”