ESPN’s Bill Simmons is a die hard Boston Celtics fan. He doesn’t hide it or distant himself from that fact. It’s what his career is based on. Naturally, he had a lot to say about the recent move west by former Celtics head coach D0c Rivers to take over the Clippers. Simmons went on an emotional rant about Rivers saying he quit on the Celtics.
During Thursday night’s ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage, Rivers was asked about the Celtics blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets, and Bill Simmons stinging critique. Doc wasn’t shy with his words.
“I would like to call him an idiot, but I’m too classy for that,” Rivers said. “That’s just his opinion. That didn’t happen. He really needs to know the whole truth, which he doesn’t.”
Simmons fired right back.
“The truth keeps changing,” he said. “He’s given different quotes about this, he didn’t know, he did know. He kind of knew. He wanted the trade to happen, he was coming back, he needed a year off. When he sticks to a story, I’ll believe the truth. … Just own it. Just admit what you did. The writing was on the wall. The Celtics wanted to rebuild. You didn’t want to be a part of it. You wanted to go to the Clippers and it happened. Just own what you did.”
Meanwhile on Twitter, Doc’s son Jeremiah said everything his father couldn’t and more.
@BillSimmons @espn My father has never quit anything in his life. He now has an NBA Championship, and helped in rejuvenating the Celtics.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn That’s why he is 3rd winningest coach in Celtics history. Those are just credentials, but you already know this.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn Your the same guy who was trying to run my dad out of town when it seemed like the Celtics were down and out.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn Then you praised him like GOD himself when he helped turn things around. Where is your loyalty.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn You know nothing about winning, about sacrifice, and being a champion. You sit behind a desk and pick on people.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn .You are a Internet bully. There is a reason nobody will side with you. They like my dad better than you.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn Magic, Wilbon, Shaq, Ernie, etc… They know my father and they know about being a professional at the highest LEVEL.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn If you don’t have all the facts, which you clearly DON’T, I suggest you sit down and shut up. Good day sir.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
Simmons responded by saying he was going to sign his five-year old son up on Twitter to defend him against Doc Rivers kids… This is going to be interesting to watch. We usually only see this play out with Skip Bayless and certain athletes.
When I get home I’m signing up my 5 and a half year old son for Twitter so he can defend me against Doc Rivers’ kids.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 28, 2013
Good summary on how Doc contradicted himself all week: https://t.co/UCoEfDElve (Does not include his PTI waffling.) He needs to pick a story.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 28, 2013
