Doc Rivers Honored by Celtics in Boston Return

Doc Rivers, who coached the Boston Celtics from 2004 through the 2012-13 season and won an NBA championship along the way, was honored with a video tribute in his return to Boston Wednesday night as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Rivers responded by acknowledging the crowd of grateful Celtics fans:

Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe observed:

In addition to winning a title in 2008, Rivers reached the NBA Finals in 2010 and coached the All-Star Game in 2008 and 2011.

Rivers was criticized by some, however, for leaving Boston in favor of greener pastures with the Clippers this past offseason.

Ben Watanabe of NESN wrote that Rivers, “tried to frame his move to L.A. as something he was an innocent bystander in.”

There’s also the well-documented feud that took place between Rivers and popular sports personality Bill Simmons:

The two eventually buried the hatchet, and Rivers admitted on CBS Boston’s "Felger and Mazz" radio show that he did walk out on the Celtics.

Regardless of why Rivers left, he will forever be in Celtics lore for helping lead the franchise back to its former glory in 2008.