If one name raised eyebrows with some fans when the class of 2026 to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame was announced, it was Doc Rivers. His critics focus on his (at times spectacular) failures, but his overall resume earned the call to the Hall. Rivers is fifth all-time in wins by a coach, ahead of Hall of Famers like Phil Jackson, George Karl and Larry Brown. He has a championship ring as a coach, with the 2008 Boston Celtics. Rivers was an NBA head coach for 27 consecutive seasons, starting in Orlando, then moving to Boston, the LA Clippers, Philadelphia and Milwaukee. He has a career regular-season record of 1,191-861 (58%) and has coached in 226 playoff games. That all came after Rivers played more than 10 seasons in the NBA, and he was an All-Star in 1988.
Congrats to Class of 2026 @Hoophall inductee, Doc Rivers! pic.twitter.com/rhyv3duiDN — NBA (@NBA) August 16, 2026
To be fair, Rivers has had some spectacular playoff flameouts — his teams have blown 3-1 series leads three times — and had some rough exits from a couple of his stops. The voters for the Hall of Fame looked past that, and it was not a discussion for Rivers when he took to the podium Saturday night. Rivers spoke from the podium in his trademark raspy voice, but said that was what 27 years of NBA coaching will do.
“My voice is already raspy... I want you guys to know a couple quick things. This isn’t my real voice. Coaching stole it from me... I swear I used to have a high voice and use to be able to really sing, can't do that anymore." Doc Rivers speaks on his 'raspy' voice during his… pic.twitter.com/YSaVgrLMIb — NBA (@NBA) August 16, 2026
Rivers did talk about winning a championship in 2008 in Boston.
Doc Rivers reflects on coaching Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce and the @celtics’ 2008 NBA championship during his @Hoophall enshrinement speech! pic.twitter.com/vY44KOq9vk — NBA (@NBA) August 16, 2026
He also talked about coaching his son Austin in Los Angeles.
"If you can be a coach, and coach your players hard, and they know it comes from a loving place, you can be really successful in this business." Doc Rivers on what he learned from coaching his son, Austin, in the NBA! Watch the Class of 2026 Enshrinement Ceremony on NBA TV and… pic.twitter.com/93KkrHx99m — NBA (@NBA) August 16, 2026