Re: Doc: I didn't want Darrell

s_knight8 wrote:

> 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."
Sure worked well, Doc.

>  

--
MF

See L.A. for class
On March 21 in Los Angeles, former Celtics great (who broke the hearts
of many Lakers fans) Bill Russell had his picture on the scoreboard.
The fans gave him a long ovation.
The previous night, when it was announced that Shaq O'Neal scored his
20,000th point, the fans in Sacramento booed. Then, to make matters
worse, a the game ball was defaced, presumably by a Sacramento fan.

Clinton E. Parish
Sacramento

Rest in Peace, Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn :  1916 - 2002