Doc Rivers thoughts

o Coach‟s ego: Is it about you or about the team?
o “Beginners are open and experts are closed.  When you become an expert, stay open!”
o Character vs. Character (s)
o You have to protect your team culture.
o The little things matter.  Example: Celtics won a game against Cleveland on jump ball.
o Important little things: Extra pass, closeouts
o Build your staff around the team that you want to have: Loyal, hard working, disciplined.
o Sets up staff like a football program: offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator.
o Do you trust the people on your staff?
o Give them room to do their strengths.
o Cannot ask players to fill roles unless you let your staff fulfill their roles.
o Players must buy into your system of play.
o Have a theme/purpose to the season.
o Doc took Big 3 on parade route they would ride for winning the championship. (same route
Patriots and Red Socks used) Develop direction and image.
o Ask players “Do you want to win? “  Most say yes, but only if it‟s comfortable for them.
o Fight for your system/culture every day. 
o Eliminate the S‟s in your program: Selfish, Stubborn, etc.
o Cannot let a talented player affect your thinking.
o Talking to players after the draft: “You only have a number for one day.  After that, it is all up to
you”
o If you steal something from someone, make it your own.

Doc Rivers on using a coaching staff

Build your staff based on the idea of what your team should be. Ask yourself
what do you want your team to stand for? Hire accordingly. Things Doc looks for
is loyalty, talent, and team players

 Engaging Assistants. Don't hire "yes men". Look for people that will provide
insight into what will make you better. Debate, explore, decide, and implement.

Pat Riley "Beginners are open. Experts are closed. The challenge is to stay
open."

Take a page from the football coaching mentality. Find staff members that have
strengths that compliment each other. Much like football coaches being position
specific and/or offensively or defensively specific, find coaches that fill voids.
Doc says, "Give them room to be great!"

If you tell your team to play their roles, shouldn't you do the same with you and
your staff?

The X's and O's don't matter. What matters is if you and your staff can get the
players to buy in. Assistant coaches must buy in to the system and goal(s) as much
as, if not more than, the players