In defense, Rivers's Celtics don't yet trust
526695
If coach Doc Rivers wanted game film that showed the kind of defense he wished the Celtics played on a regular basis, all he needed was a copy from Sunday night's matchup against San Antonio. That game featured crisp rotations and trusting teammates. The only problem? The Spurs did all the demonstrating, showing off the No. 1-ranked defense ...
135522
CLEVELAND -- The Celtics and successful comebacks do not often go together. Ricky Davis and Cleveland do not often go well together.
251421
Far be it from me to question Doc Rivers's coaching at this point of the young season, but was anyone else watching the Wizards-Celtics game last Wednesday -- I know you're out there, it's OK to admit it -- and wondering why Al Jefferson was not sent into the game when Raef LaFrentz fouled out?
366830
Before Saturday night's game at Chicago, Celtics coach Doc Rivers was asked for the keys to victory. "Transition defense and rebounding," said Rivers. Then, he thought about his answer and added, "How many more games do we have? Well, you can put that down for the rest of the season."
608012
Coach Doc Rivers had to have liked what he saw in the first half of last night&#39;s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Gary Payton scored
629978
Two games under .500 -- and first place in the brutal Atlantic Division. That's what's at stake tomorrow night for the Celtics. With the Knicks conveniently losing yesterday to Boston's next opponent, the rampaging Chicago Bulls, the door is open for Doc Rivers's gang.
30348
At halftime of last night's 111-103 victory over the Knicks, Celtics coach Doc Rivers turned to Ray Allen and said, "You'll have to go to New Orleans with me." Allen isn't the emotional type, so he nodded. He was more upset about a bad pass that resulted in a turnover in the final minute of the first half.
80797
SACRAMENTO -- In a season with very few certainties, Celtics coach Doc Rivers knew he could count on two things in the upcoming weeks.
352191
When Ryan Gomes was not picked to play on the nine-man, second-year team for a game against the top rookies during All-Star Weekend, Doc Rivers offered the following explanation: "Our record [bad word]."
175208
On the recent rare occasions when opponents have trailed the Celtics, the casual conversation during timeouts probably has been similar whether the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, or Detroit Pistons have been doing the talking. No team wants to enter the books as the opponent that ended Boston's franchise-record losing streak. Just as a team on a long winning streak motivates ...
632625
Doc Rivers saw it when Kendrick Perkins set a pick Monday night in Chicago and then was supposed to roll to the basket. Perkins didn't roll. He took one step and stopped. Rivers sat him for the rest of the game.
34434
With 25 games remaining in the season, the Celtics have nothing to play for other than ping-pong balls, but that's not something coach Doc Rivers will attempt to sell his young team. Instead, he's motivating the players by focusing on improvement in practice and challenging them to play the role of spoiler.
440091
NEW YORK -- Doc Rivers had a joke ready when asked about Al Jefferson's performance against the New Jersey Nets Saturday night.
117942
There was a verifiable Michael Olowokandi sighting yesterday as the Celtics endured yet another Media Day. To say it was a bit of a surprise would be an understatement.
392240
The Sporting News - Doc Rivers was talking at the Celtics' practice facility Thursday after his team had watched tape of their 95-83 stinker-of-a-loss to the Bobcats the night before. Transition defense, Rivers said, was a big problem. His guys didn't get back quickly enough. Since teams are going to try running more and more on the Celtics to avoid being defended by them in half-court situations, the Celtics will be focusing more on their transition defense.
174750
Doc Rivers told the rent-a-refs at practice yesterday to call scrimmages tight for two reasons. First, he wanted players to learn the importance of running back on defense and not waste time debating calls. Second, he hoped to encourage better overall defense with players more attentive to proper positioning.
723735
Reviewing tape of a recent Grizzlies game, Celtics coach Doc Rivers was reminded of his days playing in Atlanta.