A year ago, there were some raised eyebrows when the Celtics gave Doc Rivers a one-year extension as he was heading into the final season of his contract.
Now, one championship later, it came as no surprise whatsoever when the Celtics tore up this year's deal and gave Rivers a new three-year pact. The contract includes a raise to some $5.5 million a year and incentive bonuses for going deep into the playoffs and winning another title.
General manager Danny Ainge has been consistent in his support of Rivers.
"My feeling about Doc is not much different than when we hired him initially," Ainge said. "He was a really good coach when we hired him. He was a really good coach when we won 24 games. And he's a really good coach right now. The only difference now is most people think he's a really good coach.
"I don't think he had to prove anything to me. Coaches always have to prove they are the right fit for the players they are coaching and that they can get the chemistry right. There are a lot of really good coaches who aren't a perfect fit for the personalities and the players on a team. Doc is a good leader, and he is great leader for this group of guys."
