Doc Rivers Says the Lakers Embarrassed Phil Jackson

Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers didn’t like the way the whole Phil Jackson/Mike D’Antoni saga ended in Los Angeles, and he blasted the Lakers for their treatment of the Zen Master. Per the LA Times (via Mad Dog Radio): “I didn’t like the way it was done,’ said Rivers. ‘I don’t think you embarrass anybody.’ After relieving Mike Brown of his coaching duties, the Lakers had initial talks with Jackson. While the team’s former coach (and 11-time NBA champion) was mulling over the possibilities, the Lakers instead hired Mike D’Antoni for the job. ‘Whether you like Phil or not, he’s won a lot of titles and I think he was owed more than that treatment, in my opinion, especially [from] that franchise,’ continued Rivers. […] The Lakers play the Celtics twice in February, starting on the 7th in Boston. Jackson and Rivers met twice in the NBA Finals, both taking home a title. ‘I thought they could have handled that better,’ said Rivers. ‘At the end of the day, I think they got their man [in D’Antoni].'”