Mannix On Toucher & Rich: Point Of No Return For Doc, Celtics
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers couldn't come to an agreement on their blockbuster trade involving Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett, and talks are apparently off.
SI's Chris Mannix joined Toucher & Rich on Wednesday and said there is a chance the deal could be revisited at some point, but thinks Doc's time in Boston is over no matter what.
"I think we've reached the point of no return with Doc. He's got too far down this road to come back and say he's going to coach this team," said Mannix. "He gets a free pass because he's a great guy, he's had a lot of success in Boston and the media loves him, but any other coach would be getting eviscerated right now for trying to jump ship for a team staring down the barrel of a rebuilding process."
Report: Doc Unsure About Returning To Boston
"When Doc and Danny meet, I think this has to come to an end," he said. "I don't think Doc can come back to this team, go into that locker room and look at some of those young players and coach them after basically saying 'I don't want any part of you' over the last couple of weeks."
Mannix called rumors that Rivers may end up in Miami if Erik Spoelstra is fired "laughable."
"They would never let Doc Rivers walk down to Miami, and if they did the compensation would be enormous," he said, noting Miami doesn't have any draft picks this year.
Who could replace Doc if he's done in Boston?
"I don't think it's going to be Vinny Del Negro," said Mannix. "Boston will go the route most teams are going, and look at Brian Shaw and Lionel Hollins -- guys that are out there."
"Shaw could be the kind of guy that can go through a rebuilding process, and hes a former point guard that Rajon Rondo could learn from," said Mannix. "He's excellent at player development; he's been instrumental in the development of (Indiana's) Paul George."