Doc: I didn't want Darrell

http://www.nypost.com/sports/43348.htm

"I didn't want Darrell back," Doc Rivers openly admitted shortly after
being dumped at the curb. "He's my all-time favorite player, but the
only way to take a step forward was to have Tracy McGrady leading the
team. Darrell was a strong leader and a good leader for nine seasons.
But the only way to advance to the next level was to have your best
player as captain.

"Historically, that has always been true. Look at all the great teams
- Celtics, Lakers, Bulls, Pistons - their leaders were their best
players - Russell, Bird, Magic, Michael, Isiah. What team has won a
title with its best player not being the leader?"

"Obviously, we would've been better with Darrell. I could see we
needed his direction and energy," Rivers allowed. "But all summer he
said he felt he should start and would not come back as a backup."

Until Rivers created a "C" and ordered it engraved on McGrady's
uniform, he had never appointed anyone captain. From the git-go, he
told assistant Dave Wohl, "We'll know who our captain is when the refs
call for them at midcourt before the game; the guy who walks over is
our captain. You've got to find out who your leaders are."

So, for four straight seasons during Baby Doc's regime, Armstrong
sashayed over to the naked chat room and relayed any relevant
conversation to the Magic. And, for the last three, McGrady deferred
to his leadership while dominating the stats sheet. According to
Rivers, when notified a change in the chain of command was necessary,
McGrady agreed.

"It almost had to end that way," Rivers lamented. "By far, Darrell is
the hardest working player with the biggest heart I've ever seen. But
this was the right thing to do and the right time to do it. It was
very difficult for me and very taxing on him.

"Darrell and me had a falling out because we didn't re-sign him, no
question. But also there's no doubt, at least in my mind, we'll become
good friends again some day."