Former Celtics championship coach voted into Naismith Hall of Fame
Doc Rivers coached the Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship and is on the NBA's Top 15 coaches of all-time.
Former Celtics coach Doc Rivers is set to be immortalized in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Rivers will be inducted as part of the Class of 2026, joining fellow to-be Hall of Famers like Candace Parker, Amar’e Stoudemire and more, per ESPN’s Shams Charania . Rivers helped guide the Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship, the franchise’s 17th title.
After the C’s added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to form the Big Three with Paul Pierce, Boston immediately became a contender. The Celtics beat the Lakers in six games in the 2008 NBA Finals, winning their first title since 1986. Rivers is considered one of the best coaches of in league history.
He was named to the Top 15 coaches of all-time list, which was released by the NBA in conjunction with the 75th anniversary team for the players. Rivers coached the Celtics from 2004-2013, making the playoffs in seven of those seasons. He was traded to the Clippers for a first-round pick, ending his tenure with the team.
Rivers has also coached the Magic and 76ers in his career. Rivers is currently the head coach of the Bucks in a tough season with a 29-45 record. He holds an all-time record of 1,191-861.