Rivers – "Coaches talk about loyalty and team, and I just thought it was time to show it."

The idea of Doc Rivers becoming the next coach of the Brooklyn Nets is officially over now with reports from ESPN Boston that Danny Ainge has denied the Nets permission to talk to their coach.

Rivers was a long shot from the beginning but the call had to be made by Brooklyn management in the slight chance that he wanted a new challenge.

It is quite nice to hear a coach talk about loyalty working both ways with players and coaches and living up to their commitments. Refreshing to hear in today’s sports world.

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ESPN Boston

In fact, team and league sources confirmed to ESPNBoston.com that Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was contacted by the Brooklyn Nets, who wanted to speak to Rivers about their vacant coaching position. Ainge, according to those sources, denied the Nets permission to talk with his coach, who has three years and $21 million remaining on his contract.

Reached late Thursday, Ainge refused to comment on the Nets’ interest in Rivers and reiterated that he expects him back on the Celtics’ bench next season.

“Doc has told me he’s coming back,” Ainge said bluntly. “I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward.”

“Well, I don’t think anyone is looking forward to [rebuilding],” Rivers said, “but I’m willing to do that. I’ve had a group that has been very loyal to me, and I think it would have been very easy to just run and go somewhere else and chase something else. … I just don’t think that’s the right thing to do. Coaches talk about loyalty and team, and I just thought it was time to show it.”[/quote_simple]