The Boston Celtics are one of the few teams in the 21st century that managed to break through the dominance of traditional powerhouses—not once, but twice. One of those moments came against the Lakers, and at the helm of that Celtics squad was championship coach Doc Rivers. Now, Rivers believes the NBA landscape is more wide open than ever.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Rivers said the NBA no longer feels controlled by a few elite teams—and that, in his view, the last 2–3 seasons have shown just how unpredictable things have become.
“I don’t think the NBA has been more open to anybody winning a title in 20 years,” Rivers said. He added that he doesn’t see a dynasty in the making anywhere in the league right now: “Each year, if you are a really good team, you literally have a chance to win [a title].”
Why Chemistry Still Matters
Rivers emphasized that team chemistry remains one of the most important factors in winning a championship. Without it, he said, teams won’t go far—regardless of talent. “If they’re not playing with chemistry, they’re not going to win anything,” said the former Celtics coach, who led Boston to a title in 2008.
Head coach Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics celebrates with his team at the end of Game Six of the 2008 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 17, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 131-92 to win the NBA Championship.
Another Surprise Team This Season?
Along with dismissing the idea of any current dynasties, Rivers believes another under-the-radar contender could emerge this season. “There’s gonna be a team this year—guaranteed—you don’t know right now, that is going to be the team that takes it,” Rivers said. He noted that five years ago, a surprise like that would’ve been nearly impossible to imagine.
How Many Titles Has Doc Rivers Won?
Doc Rivers has one NBA championship to his name, which he won with the Celtics in 2008 in a Finals victory over the Lakers. Since then, he’s coached three different teams but hasn’t returned to the top. He currently serves as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
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