“I’m 64 with kids, grandkids. And I’m not like a lot …

“I’m 64 with kids, grandkids. And I’m not like a lot of the other coaches. A lot of the other coaches, when they get fired, they’re off a year or two years. I’ve never had that. I’ve [coached] for basically 26 straight years. So that’s what I was thinking: ‘Man, when am I going to start enjoying things?’ I still want to be in the game and do something. I don’t even know where that goes. But I just thought it was time. This was my decision. It was 100 percent my decision.” Rivers ranks sixth all-time in career coaching victories (1,194). The 2000 NBA Coach of the Year led the Celtics to a championship in 2008 and an NBA Finals appearance in 2010. He was named one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history in 2022 by a panel of 43 current and former NBA head coaches in collaboration with the National Basketball Coaches Association. He has amassed 114 NBA playoff wins, fourth-most all-time. If Rivers has indeed coached his last game, it was the Bucks’ 126-106 road loss to one of his former teams, the 76ers, on April 12. Rivers said Bucks ownership and the front office knew of his decision before the game. Rivers said 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, whom he coached in Philadelphia, had received a tip that the end was near and offered him well wishes prior to the game. In hindsight, Rivers wishes he had told the Bucks players he was leaving.

Andscape

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “I’m 64 with kids, grandkids. And I’m not like a lot …