Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in the NBA and with Phil Jackson retiring he may end up being the best and most respected coach in the league. The Boston Celtics and Doc Rivers agreed to a five-year contract extension this summer, which has helped to ease the doubt fans have about the success of the team after the Big Three Era.  One of the questions that still remains is: How will the presence of Doc Rivers as the head coach effect the Boston Celtics over the next five years? 

The Big Three seem to still have a lot of basketball in them, but as they decline further it will come time for the hard decision to be made about what their roles on the team will be in the future. Doc Rivers has not always been the best at dealing with superstars, but during his time with the Boston Celtics, he has become exceptional at working with their egos. Having Doc Rivers as the head coach will help the Celtics to avoid a situation where Pierce, Allen and Garnett attempt to hold on to their starting spots longer than is best for the team. 

If Doc can keep the Big Three’s egos in check and ease the transition between the superstars’ starting roles and their eventual reserve roles (or retirement), the Celtics will avoid a season or two of missed opportunities due to interior tension on the team. Doc will further help the transition between the Big Three era and the players that will be the future of the Boston Celtics by keeping the veterans contributing to the team during games and practices without taking away from the coaching the younger stars require. 

Doc integrated and managed the Big Three; He will lead the future stars just as well.

With the current veteran superstars’ futures in check, the Celtics need to find the future stars that will help All-Star Rajon Rondo bring more championships to the Garden. Doc Rivers has made quite a name for himself in the NBA and his reputation will help to bring other superstars to Boston. The Celtics will be able to provide a great player with the best pure point guard in the NBA, but they will also be able to offer one of the best coaches in the league. 

 Superstars that are looking for a consistent team with a strong coach that has proven success in the NBA, Doc Rivers and Boston will be their targeted destination. Doc has been able to work with superstars before, who will greatly help the team balance the needs of Rajon Rondo and the other superstars that could join the team.

His reputation will further help to fill out the roster, as veterans that are looking for championships will be more willing to sign with the Celtics for the Veterans Minimum. 

Doc is not only a great recruiter and great at balancing team chemistry, he also provides the necessary knowledge to help players grow and provide the correct end of game decisions.  He will help the young players (Johnson, Moore and Bradley) to grow into their roles and become solid contributors as either starters or reserve players. 

Rondo is Doc Rivers most important building block for the future

He has shown his ability to help the bench grow and contribute to the team with every minute they are on the court, which will provide the Celtics with a strong team overall no matter which players are available. He is great with using these reserve players to fill the role of the starters when injuries surface and provide the starters their needed rest to avoid further injury. With Doc coaching the team, everyone can be confident that each player will give it their all when they step on to the court. 

The respect that his team has for him as a coach can be seen every game. When a timeout is called and a decision needs to be made, the Celtics turn toward their coach and no one questions the play that he puts forward. He has become so reliable that even the fans expect something great every time he calls the team together for a desperation play to win the game.  His coaching abilities have carried the Celtics offense to one of the most effective in the league, while boosting the defense focused style of play to one of the best in the NBA. 

The effect that he has on a team can completely change that attitude of the players and bring teammates together like family. With Doc Rivers agreeing to a 5-year deal it is clear that the future of the Boston Celtics is bright and the team can remain contenders through the transition period that is sure to begin in the upcoming seasons.