Speaking on Friday, one day before his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers had high praise for his time in Boston, saying he wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame without it. Furthermore, he praised Danny Ainge for believing in his coaching and bringing him into the fold after he had served as the head coach of the Orlando Magic. Rivers helped the Celtics win the NBA championship in 2007-08, with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett serving as the backbone of the roster. Those three will introduce him before his induction. Rivers also praised "The Big 3" for buying into the team system and allowing that group to flourish. That trio helped spawn the "Big 3 Era" of the NBA.
Doc Rivers: ‘I wouldn’t be here without Boston” Doc on HOF induction and the Celtics ☘️ Question by @RealBobManningpic.twitter.com/tM0kYUQQXl — Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) August 14, 2026 About Doc Rivers Now 64 years old, Rivers has spent 27 years as a head coach with five different teams: He was with the Orlando Magic for five years before going to the Celtics for nine, the Los Angeles Clippers for seven, the Philadelphia 76ers for three and the Bucks for three. He's got a laundry list of awards to his name, including winning the league's Coach of the Year in 1999-2000. He was also named one of the 15 greatest coaches in league history in 2021-22. With the Celtics, he went 416-305 for a .577 winning percentage, helping Boston win that NBA title in 2007-08. Rivers' record year-by-year in Boston 2004-05: 45-37, lost in first round of playoffs 2005-06: 33-49, missed playoffs 2006-07: 24-58, missed playoffs 2007-08: 66-16, won NBA title 2008-09: 62-20, advanced to Eastern Conference Finals 2009-10: 50-32, advanced to NBA Finals 2010-11: 56-26, lost in second round 2011-12: 39-27: lost in Eastern Conference Finals 2012-13: 41-40, lost in first round Most recently Rivers served as the head coach in Milwaukee, where he went 97-103 over three partial seasons. He made the playoffs twice but never advanced out of the first round. Also... Rivers said he was surprised to see the Celtics trade Jaylen Brown to the 76ers. Well, he's not the only one... We were also surprised to see that trade happen. The 76ers are now one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
Doc Rivers says Tommy Heinsohn would’ve HATED the Jaylen Brown to 76ers trade. https://t.co/UAlQvoX7fwpic.twitter.com/HgTnJlo9EA — NBA History on CLNS (@NBAHistoryCLNS) August 14, 2026 About the ceremony The Basketball Hall of Fame inductions take place on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET. You can watch them on NBA TV. All three of Rivers's introducers are already in the Hall of Fame.