Doc Rivers left the Boston Celtics because the franchise was getting ready to go through a rebuilding effort he led them to an NBA title in 2008.
“I was afraid of rebuilding,” he said. “I’ve done it, I’ve been through it, and it’s hard. Most people think rebuilding is easy. And I don’t think they understand how hard it is on the coach because you’re losing games. And any coach that I know — and I know Brad [Stevens] — every game you go into, you convince yourself you’re going to win, and then you don’t and then you’re down and then you build yourself up for the next game. It’s emotionally hard.”
Now the head coach and GM of the Los Angeles Clippers, he was complimentary of Danny Ainge’s retooling efforts.
“I think they’ve done the best as far as rebuilding,” said Rivers. “They have the most assets, for sure. Getting assets is hard, and now the hardest step is the next one, turning those assets into actual players. I asked Danny jokingly, ‘Do you know how many picks you have?’ It’s amazing what they’ve done in the short term, and they still have some pretty good players. I think they’ve done a nice job.”
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