[Boston Celtics News]

BOSTON - The Boston Celtics gave Doc Rivers a contract extension on Thursday, giving him a chance at possibly coaching the likes of Greg Oden or Kevin Durant next season and perhaps beyond.

Rivers, whose contract was to run through 2007-08, will have a little more job security as he tries to improve on a season in which the NBA's most decorated franchise lost a team-record 18 consecutive games and finished with the second-worst record in the league.

"Doc is a leader and I have all the confidence in the world in Doc as coach of the Celtics," Danny Ainge, the team's executive director of basketball operations, said in a statement. "With Doc as our coach we have the continuity that is crucial in the development of the franchise."

The team would not disclose financial terms or length of the extension.

Rivers is 102-144 in three seasons in Boston, going 24-58 in 2006-07 to finish in last place in the Eastern Conference, 16 games out of the playoffs. That gives the Celtics a 38.7 percent chance at landing one of the top two picks in the draft, widely expected to be Ohio State center Oden and Texas forward Durant, both freshmen All-Americans last season. Only Memphis, which has a 46.5 percent chance, has more ping pong balls in the hopper for the draft lottery draft on May 22.

The NBA draft is June 28.

"I am more determined to move this franchise in the right direction," Rivers said, "and I believe that I can do that."

Celtics Extend Doc Rivers' Contract

[LSC9901]

Now if Ainge would just fire himself the franchise might have a chance.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Boston Celtics News

Rivers is 102-144 in three seasons in Boston, going 24-58 in 2006-07 to finish in last place in the Eastern Conference, 16 games out of the playoffs.

that does not deserve an extension

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by simple simon

that does not deserve an extension

Eh, not his fault. Doc's a good coach saddled with terrible players, courtesy of Danny Ainge.

[simple simon]

ok.... some of you will remember ..... ive said this before and i will say it again

They Need A Quality Big Man

there maybe they will notice this time

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by simple simon

that does not deserve an extension

His team plays 1 on 5 now. Pierce is the only one with talent on that team. He needs some help.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Eh, not his fault. Doc's a good coach saddled with terrible players, courtesy of Danny Ainge.

Thanks Lefty. My feelings exactly.

[ThePundit]

Ainge has put the Celts in a pretty decent position to compete, actually. They have up and coming young players. Rando, Jefferson,etc...if they can land Odin they would be a serious contender.

I haven't seen Rivers coach on a day to day basis, but let's be serious, who can they get who will be better? It's close to impossible to find a good free agent NBA coach.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

who can they get who will be better?

KC Jones

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by simple simon

KC Jones

He's been there and done that.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

He's been there and done that.

and has the rings to prove it

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by simple simon

and has the rings to prove it

Yup Yup but I don't see him coming back to clean up this mess that Ainge created.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Yup Yup but I don't see him coming back to clean up this mess that Ainge created.

ssshhh ...... dont ruin my fantasy Celtics team of the future

[ThePundit]

Fellas, KC Jones is 75 years old. Like this is what he wants to do at this time in his life